[caption id="attachment_5775" align="alignright" width="780"] July 4, 2016 marks the 60th anniversary of the closing of Polo Park.[/caption] by Bob Gates Sunraysed, Taboga, Persian Memories, Victor's Pride, Merry's Jay, Federal Ruler, Icy Welcome and Island Fling. What links these former equine stars who called Assiniboia Downs home during the 1970s? Well, this is one of the many…
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When Hollywood came to Winnipeg to race, those were the days!
[caption id="attachment_5736" align="alignnone" width="780"] Well Caught wins for Don Carlos. June 29, 1951. Polo Park.[/caption] by Bob Gates [caption id="attachment_5734" align="alignright" width="218"] Anita King[/caption] Who knew? Once upon a long time ago Whittier Park and Polo Park race tracks were playgrounds for the rich and famous. Hollywood types from the early to mid-1900s made regular…
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The Legend of the Whittier Park Clocker
[caption id="attachment_5684" align="alignnone" width="780"] The Whittier Park Clocker (or his distant relative)[/caption] by Bob Gates At first glance you might think this is the story of some curmudgeonly, 60-something lifetime racetracker who was hanging on to the sport he loved and lived in the only way he could - timing the morning workouts of thoroughbreds…
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Memories of Vicki Warhol-Essman, thanks Social Media!
[caption id="attachment_5609" align="alignnone" width="780"] Vicki Warhol wins the Powder Puff Derby at ASD[/caption] by Bob Gates I'm not a huge fan of social media. I don't Tweet and couldn't tell you a thing about Instagram. I am on Facebook, and as a guilty pleasure you might catch me watching cute cat videos on YouTube, but…
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And the Oscar goes to…
by Bob Gates It's Oscar time folks and this week we recognize some of Assiniboia Downs' finest equine performances. Who in their right mind would even attempt to cross this minefield? Yours truly of course, and why not? I've never claimed to be of sound mind, or body for that matter. Even so, where do…
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Wondrous Wednesday – Oh What a Night!
[caption id="attachment_5494" align="alignleft" width="780"] Jim Sorenson on Simons Sword. His 3rd of 7 winners on June 23, 1976.[/caption] by Bob Gates Isn't it sweet when everything clicks and you can do no wrong? Well, Assiniboia Downs can boast of at least five jockeys who experienced a rare combination of skill, luck and whatever else…
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American Pharoah’s Halter, Mission (Almost) Impossible
[caption id="attachment_5463" align="alignleft" width="780"] The Stewart clan. L to R, daughter Audrey, Garylle, son-in-law Brian, granddaughter Alissa.[/caption] by Bob Gates By now we all know the background story that resulted in the acquisition of the prized American Pharoah halter which in addition to other racing memorabilia, was sold at auction last August in aid of…
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Philip Kives, Master of K5 Stables – A Tribute
[caption id="attachment_5380" align="alignright" width="390"] Phil Kives with Island Fling in 1978.[/caption] by Bob Gates Much has been written about the president and founder of K-tel International since his unexpected death on April 27, 2016. Today we leave the world of the Miracle Brush, Veg-O-Matic, Teflon Fry Pan, Patty Stacker and records like "Hooked on Classics"…
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Husbands wins 4 on opening night 2016 at ASD, Wagering doubles
[caption id="attachment_5341" align="alignleft" width="790"] Out of Mischief powers home to win the first race of the 2016 season at ASD, the Don Gray Memorial, for trainer Gary Danelson. Richard Mairs up.[/caption] Jockey Chris Husbands won four of the eight races on Mothers' Day opening night 2016 at Assiniboia Downs; trainer Tom Gardipy Jr. scored a…
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A Tale of Two Wolves for 2016 Opening Day at ASD
[caption id="attachment_5124" align="aligncenter" width="780"] One of three winners for Bernie "Longshot" Howland on Opening Day 1971.[/caption] by Bob Gates The 2016 live racing season kicks off on Mother's Day, Sunday, May 8, as has become our custom at Assiniboia Downs, and have I got a story for you. It goes like this: An old Cherokee…
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