Monthly Archives: August 2022

Lumberjack Ron: Memories of Secretariat, Northern Dancer and Assiniboia Downs

[caption id="attachment_16872" align="alignright" width="1000"] Ron Turcotte wins the 1970 Manitoba Centennial Derby aboard Fanfreluche.[/caption] by Bob Gates Ron Turcotte was 14 when he left school to work as a lumberjack with his father.  He saw his career go from cutting lumber in the bush to construction work and eventually he found his way to E.…
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Balooga Bull: Simply the Best

[caption id="attachment_16726" align="alignright" width="800"] Jockey Paul Nolan and Balooga Bull after winning the 2014 Gold Cup.[/caption] by Bob Gates There's a common thread that links books written to honour champions of the past and our humble blog stories. Both remember special equines from the early days of the Winnipeg racing scene who have long since…
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Anatomy of a Track Record

[caption id="attachment_16689" align="alignright" width="1000"] Rangatira sets new six-furlong track record at ASD. May 20, 1973.[/caption] by Bob Gates Does the title of our blog story this week have a familiar ring to it? Hope so. Most of you are probably too young to remember the 1959 American courtroom drama and crime film "Anatomy of a…
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Secret Weapons and Other 50-year-old Memories of Nice Dancer

[caption id="attachment_16604" align="alignright" width="1000"] 1972 Manitoba Derby winner Nice Dancer and jockey Bobby Stewart.[/caption] by Bob Gates Well another Manitoba Derby is on the books and congratulations go out to the winner Red Knobs and his connections, owner Rob Nokes, trainer Robertino Diodoro and jockey Jorge Carreno. It's fun to look back at the list…
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