Monthly Archives: June 2022

Miko Siah Seeks to be Remembered

[caption id="attachment_15957" align="alignright" width="1000"] Miko Siah winning in Edmonton. July 22, 1950[/caption] by Bob Gates Who was Miko Siah? Equibase stats have the multiple stakes-placed stallion with $10,892 in career earnings from 74 starts. He compiled a record of 8 wins, 10 seconds and 13 thirds from 1948 to 1956. Respectable considering his level of…
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Remembering Dick Armstrong and His Family’s Home Away From Home

[caption id="attachment_15853" align="alignright" width="1000"] Fire N Desire wins 1969 Manitoba Derby. Dick Armstrong up.[/caption] by Bob Gates Let's celebrate a Diamond Jubilee, shall we? This year marks the 60th anniversary of jockey George Richard "Dickie" Armstrong's first leading-rider title (1962) at Assiniboia Downs. The Maple Creek, Saskatchewan native would go on to top the Downs…
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Assiniboia Downs: Eight Decades and Counting

by Bob Gates "And Now for Something Completely Different" was a catchphrase from the British television comedy series Monty Python's Flying Circus, and it just happens to be perfect for this week's blog. This isn't your typical history story, at least it's not what you've grown accustomed to. What we have this week is an…
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Downs Honors Contributions of Manitoba Duo with Hall of Fame Nominations

[caption id="attachment_15541" align="alignright" width="1000"] Late MJC Chairman Harvey Warner in one of his favourite places at Assiniboia Downs. (Winnipeg Free Press photo)[/caption] by Bob Gates R. James Speers and "Bobby" Summers are getting awful lonely over at 145 Pacific Avenue, home of the Manitoba Sports Hall of Fame (MSHOF). This past March, Assiniboia Downs took…
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M&M’s: Sweet Treats for the Soul

[caption id="attachment_15472" align="alignright" width="1000"] Coherence. August 29, 1959. Trainer Gary Danelson's first win.[/caption] by Bob Gates Well, now that we have a couple of days of racing under our belt, let's celebrate with some M&M's. Nope, not the multi-coloured, button-shaped chocolates which are the flagship product of Mars, Incorporated. We're talking about milestones and memories…
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