[caption id="attachment_7208" align="alignnone" width="780"] Derby Trial stretch drive 1980. Northern Spike inside. Mr. Macho outside.[/caption] by Bob Gates Mr. Macho and Northern Spike's two-year rivalry at Assiniboia Downs was a classic. Why just 1979 and 80? Well, after 1980 "Spike" raced at the Downs until May 1984. "Macho" move to Woodbine and Fort Erie in…
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Harry “The Little Tiger” Jeffrey was the Heart and Soul of Assiniboia Downs
[caption id="attachment_7152" align="alignright" width="780"] Mr. and Mrs. Jeffrey present R. J. Speers' trophy to Gary Danelson. Cosmic Tip. Speers Handicap 1966.[/caption] by Bob Gates Winnipeg native, Harry Jeffrey was in a word "Special." He was fair, well-respected, and when called for, a no nonsense kind of guy. Jeffrey was also the first employee…
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Duke Campbell, one of the greatest horsemen to ever walk the prairies
[caption id="attachment_7095" align="alignnone" width="780"] The 37-cent horse, Omar's Gift at Polo Park. "Duke" Campbell on the far left.[/caption] by Bob Gates Donald H. "Duke" Campbell's bio on the Canadian Horse Racing Hall of Fame website says that his chief claim to fame was that he discovered and developed Sandy Hawley into a world class jockey.…
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Rupert “Chicago” Parker liked hats and a good cigar
by Bob Gates Some and perhaps most of you will consider this week's blog story choice a little obscure. Others will look at the title and wonder, Rupert who? Rupert Parker was a jockey who plied his trade at Assiniboia Downs from the mid 1960s to the mid to late 1970s. He wasn't the most…
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15 Minutes with Clayton Gray, The Man from Dominion City
[caption id="attachment_6951" align="alignnone" width="780"] Clayton Gray's first win as trainer. Tedders. July 25, 1964.[/caption] by Bob Gates What can I say? Those of you who know Clayton Gray will see the humour in the title of this week's blog story. Let's face it; you are more likely to see pigs fly than have a 15…
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Already Dia, Alberta invader with talent to burn
by Bob Gates You hear glowing accolades about certain thoroughbreds all the time around the race track. You know, the usual and arguably over-used descriptors like "the peoples' horse", "champion" and the like. I do it here in my blog stories all the time, but the truth is sometimes it can't be helped. Every once…
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Assiniboia Downs celebrates Diamond Jubilee as dark, mysterious stranger lurks
by Bob Gates Have you seen him? His slicked-back black-as-night hair high atop the 60-year-old Assiniboia Downs grandstand. For the last couple of months his signature morning screams have echoed throughout the grounds as the Downs prepares to kick off Season 60. For those who aren't sure who or what I'm talking about, I'm…
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Season 60 is approaching fast at ASD! Special promotions here!
Here comes a big milestone at Assiniboia Downs: Season 60 of live racing! Which means the Downs will pull out all stops to make it special. One of those things will be a 60-second Betting Spree every live race day -- which will be lots of fun. But first things first! The 50-day season begins…
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