Monthly Archives: June 2014

The Winner’s Circle at Assiniboia Downs, a history of hallowed ground

[caption id="attachment_3538" align="alignright" width="270"] Dick Armstrong. Original Winner's Circle. Chain link fence. June 10, 1958[/caption] by Bob Arguably the most hallowed piece of real estate at any race track is the Winner's Circle, also sometimes referred to as the winner's enclosure and the charmed circle. Oddly enough, ours is not, and never has been, a…
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Jet Again continues roll towards Manitoba Derby

[caption id="attachment_3517" align="alignright" width="270"] Jet Again surrounded by well wishers after Frank Arnason Sire Stakes win.[/caption] by George Jet Again continued his well-managed progression towards the $75,000 Manitoba Derby Friday night with an easy victory in the Frank Aranason Sire Stakes, Jennifer Reid scored a hat trick, and young couples came out in droves as…
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Naigo: A rare and special horse, he was

[caption id="attachment_3502" align="alignright" width="270"] Patti Ross, Irwin Driedger and Naigo find the ASD Winner's Circle. June 16, 1979.[/caption] by Bob Naigo had the kind of class that most other horses can only dream about. After all, he was a son of the great Northern Dancer, and his owner, Bud Willmot's Kinghaven Farms, expected a lot…
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Royal Ascot Week: A Guide to Viewing and Betting

[caption id="attachment_3493" align="alignright" width="270"] Royal Ascot begins today![/caption] Royal Ascot begins today! by Rob In horse racing the day-to-day grind of track after track and race after race can become monotonous, but racing truly shines at the major race meets and race days offered around the world. The Saratoga and Del Mar meets, Kentucky Derby…
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Live racing cancelled for Sunday, June 15

Sunday, June 15, 2014 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Live racing has been cancelled for today, Sunday, June 15, due to unsafe track conditions. Father's Day Brunch in the Terrace Dining Room and the Father's Day Rib Special will proceed as planned. Simulcast racing is available from 11:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m. 140 VLTs are open until…
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The Gang of Seven

[caption id="attachment_3450" align="alignright" width="270"] Albert Edward Blake. One of the best trainers ever at Assiniboia Downs.[/caption] by Bob If you scan the list of the Downs' all-time leading trainers you'll find that seven of the top 20 never won a single-season training title. How is it that the best of the best were unable to…
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Northern Contract the real deal in Golden Boy Stakes

[caption id="attachment_3427" align="alignright" width="270"] Northern Contract wins 2014 Golden Boy Stakes.[/caption] by George Any doubts as to whether Northern Contract was the real deal were ripped up on Wednesday night at Assiniboia Downs when he romped away in the stretch to win the $30,000 Golden Boy Stakes by seven lengths. Handled confidently be leading rider…
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Tiny Broad Zone – Guts and Glory at 2 1/4-miles

[caption id="attachment_3414" align="alignright" width="270"] Broad Zone wins 1961 Winnipeg Free Press Handicap at ASD. Going 2 1/4-miles![/caption] by Bob Most of you have probably never heard of Broad Zone, and for good reason. His story began back in June 1956 at old Polo Park race track and climaxed at the "new" Assiniboia Downs in August…
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