[caption id="attachment_20577" align="alignright" width="1000"] The old man on the bench at ASD. We found him.[/caption] by Bob Gates The past is behind, learn from it. The future is ahead, prepare for it. The present is here, live it. -– Thomas S. Monson It’s been three and a half months since starter Derek Corbel sent the…
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The Levesque Family – Friends of Assiniboia Downs
[caption id="attachment_20453" align="alignright" width="1000"] 1975 Manitoba Derby. L to R: Yonnie Starr, Derby Belle and Jean-Louis Levesque.[/caption] by Bob Gates How do you pay tribute to the father/son duo of Jean-Louis and Pierre-Louis, who were important contributors to the history of Assiniboia Downs? It isn’t an easy task, but let’s give it a go.…
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The Room
[caption id="attachment_20331" align="alignright" width="1000"] The Room. 2023 Assiniboia Downs Jockey Colony.[/caption] by Bob Gates Deep within the confines of the north end of the Assiniboia Downs grandstand on the lower level is a restricted area where only jockeys, valets and officials are allowed. Of course, this is “The Room,” the place jockeys call home. Thoughts…
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Assiniboia Downs – Concert City Extraordinaire
[caption id="attachment_20201" align="alignright" width="1000"] Eagles concert at Assiniboia Downs - June 28, 1978 Dave Johnson / Winnipeg Free Press[/caption] by Bob Gates In the late 1970s and ‘80s Assiniboia Downs developed quite the reputation for hosting concerts as part of the marketing of its horse racing. For the price of admission to the races, you…
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Mr. and Mrs. Racing Had All the Wright Stuff!
[caption id="attachment_20071" align="alignright" width="1000"] The Wright Family. L to R: Lorraine, Jim, Hazel and Bob.[/caption] by Bob Gates Jim and Hazel Wright are the ultimate example of one of those husband/wife partnerships in our Assiniboia Downs family. For the better part of 20 years they owned and operated the Downs. When the time came for…
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Derby Wrap-Up and a Historical Potpourri
[caption id="attachment_19965" align="alignright" width="1000"] Fire n Desire. 1969 Manitoba Derby. In the special infield winner's circle. Note the Silver Derby Trays.[/caption] by Bob Gates Wasn’t that a Derby! A record-breaking $3,708,804 was wagered on Manitoba’s most prestigious race, making the historic 75th running of the Manitoba Derby the largest Derby Day handle, bettering last year’s…
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Assiniboia Downs Celebrates 75th Running of the Manitoba Derby
by Bob Gates It has been more than 90 years in the making but on Monday August 7, the Manitoba Jockey Club will roll out the 75th Running of the $125,000 Manitoba Derby. The road to the historic 75th has had many twists and turns, but we’ve made it relatively unscathed. There’s been a few…
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The Legend of Ten to Ace
[caption id="attachment_19713" align="alignright" width="1000"] Ten to Ace. June 19, 1942. Winnipeg Tribune.[/caption] by Bob Gates As you know, the history blog has a soft spot for the early days of racing in the “Peg.” The horses, people and events associated with River, Whittier and Polo Parks, along with memories from Assiniboia Downs in its formative…
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Memories of the 1973 “Run for the Tartan”
[caption id="attachment_19605" align="alignright" width="1000"] 1973 Manitoba Derby winner Zaca Spirit in the winner's circle with Jack Hardy, George Frostad and son Mark, Carl Chapman, and Lt. Gov. Jack McKeag.[/caption] by Bob Gates In a little more than two weeks the Manitoba Jockey Club will present the historic 75th running of the $125,000 Manitoba Derby. Historic?…
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The Manitoba Centennial Derby – July 15, 1970
[caption id="attachment_19466" align="alignright" width="1000"] 1970 Manitoba Derby. Program cover.[/caption] by Bob Gates Let’s take a short break from the usual fare you find on these pages and go with one of our photo blogs, shall we? This year’s 75th Running of the Manitoba Derby features $125,000 in purse money with an additional $100,000 bonus…
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