[caption id="attachment_20201" align="alignright" width="1000"] Eagles concert at Assiniboia Downs - June 28, 1978 Dave Johnson / Winnipeg Free Press[/caption] by Bob Gates In the late 1970s and ‘80s Assiniboia Downs developed quite the reputation for hosting concerts as part of the marketing of its horse racing. For the price of admission to the races, you…
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Mr. and Mrs. Racing Had All the Wright Stuff!
[caption id="attachment_20071" align="alignright" width="1000"] The Wright Family. L to R: Lorraine, Jim, Hazel and Bob.[/caption] by Bob Gates Jim and Hazel Wright are the ultimate example of one of those husband/wife partnerships in our Assiniboia Downs family. For the better part of 20 years they owned and operated the Downs. When the time came for…
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Derby Wrap-Up and a Historical Potpourri
[caption id="attachment_19965" align="alignright" width="1000"] Fire n Desire. 1969 Manitoba Derby. In the special infield winner's circle. Note the Silver Derby Trays.[/caption] by Bob Gates Wasn’t that a Derby! A record-breaking $3,708,804 was wagered on Manitoba’s most prestigious race, making the historic 75th running of the Manitoba Derby the largest Derby Day handle, bettering last year’s…
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Assiniboia Downs Celebrates 75th Running of the Manitoba Derby
by Bob Gates It has been more than 90 years in the making but on Monday August 7, the Manitoba Jockey Club will roll out the 75th Running of the $125,000 Manitoba Derby. The road to the historic 75th has had many twists and turns, but we’ve made it relatively unscathed. There’s been a few…
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