Monthly Archives: August 2014

Four claims on Wednesday night a positive sign for racing industry

[caption id="attachment_3928" align="alignright" width="270"] Wouf de Douf gets a pat from owner Bob Nokes after winning 7th race on Wednesday.[/caption] by George If you needed an indication of where live racing at Assiniboia Downs was headed, Wednesday night offered some clues. People don't invest money in this game unless they think there's a future, and…
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Gone but not forgotten, two promising apprentices from 1967

[caption id="attachment_3910" align="alignright" width="270"] Bobbie Dimma aboard Norway House. June 29, 1968.[/caption] by Bob This week we remember two promising young apprentices who got their start at Assiniboia Downs in the 1960s, Bobbie Dimma and Vernon Sayler. Most of us are familiar with "Bobbie". Yes, that's how his name appeared on his birth certificate, Bobbie…
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Sly Gold rebounds off tough-trip loss to win 51st running of Osiris Stakes

[caption id="attachment_3893" align="alignright" width="270"] Sly Gold wins 51st running of Osiris Stakes on Wednesday. Adolfo Morales up.[/caption] by George Sly Gold rebounded off a tough-trip loss in the Graduation Stakes to wire his field in the $30,000 Osiris Stakes for 2-year-olds on Wednesday night at Assiniboia Downs, and in the process turned the tables on…
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George Howell, son of a blacksmith, spent two decades training for the “House”

[caption id="attachment_3867" align="alignright" width="270"] George Victor Howell[/caption] by Bob "He was a real gentleman." That's how people who knew the man that trained horses and ran Jack Hardy's JY Farm in St. Adolphe for the better part of 20 years, described George Victor Howell. The Howell family hailed from Saskatchewan, but made their home in…
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Irwin Driedger, the Jock with the Golden Locks

[caption id="attachment_3839" align="alignright" width="270"] Irwin Driedger aboard Sovereign Award winner Liz's Pride. Gerry Hart photo.[/caption] by Bob Clifford "Shorty" Gray hired 11-year-old Irwin Driedger as an exercise rider. The young blonde schoolboy from Russell, Manitoba tipped the scales at 78 pounds and got his first win on a race track at the Neepawa Fair Grounds…
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Pool to Market and Bobby Stewart, magic in the 1967 Gold Cup

[caption id="attachment_3814" align="alignright" width="270"] Pool to Market digs in to win the 1967 Gold Cup at Assiniboia Downs.[/caption] by Bob On August 5, 1967 the stars above Assiniboia Downs aligned perfectly for rider Robert Roy "Bobby" Stewart and his chestnut charge Pool to Market, and the pair put on a fabulous show for the 5,000-plus…
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2014 Manitoba Derby Entries

Manitoba Derby, 66th Running Distance: 1 1/8 Miles. Age: 3-Year-Olds. Purse: $75,000 Guaranteed Weights: Fillies, 121 lbs. Colts & Geldings, 124 lbs. Fees: $100 to nominate - $700 to enter - $700 to start Click horse names for more information. Post Horse & Probable Odds Owner Trainer Jockey 1 Master Lightning (2-1) Danny Gargan &…
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Manitoba Derby competitors have both strengths and weaknesses

[caption id="attachment_3721" align="alignright" width="270"] Manitoba Derby, Monday, August 4, 2014[/caption] by Rob The seven horses in Monday's Manitoba Derby make up a competitive field that should provide both a fast pace and a closing kick, which makes for a wonderful show! All of the competitors have strengths that make them interesting, but also have weaknesses…
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Northern Contract – 2014 Manitoba Derby Contenders

[caption id="attachment_3427" align="alignright" width="270"] Northern Contract winning the 2014 Golden Boy Stakes.[/caption] by George Northern Contract is just getting started in his career but he has already won three of six starts including the local Golden Boy Stakes. Trainer Don Schnell thought highly enough of the son of Northern Afleet to run him in the…
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Street Prancer – 2014 Manitoba Derby Contenders

[caption id="attachment_3776" align="alignright" width="270"] Street Prancer talking to Jessica Gaskin about the Derby.[/caption] by George Street Prancer has been looking for a perfect spot to run in. The Manitoba Derby fits the bill. And his Eclipse Award winning trainer Steve Asmussen certainly knows where to run his horses. Asmussen currently ranks second in North America…
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