by Bob Gates The historic Manitoba Derby is a treasure-trove of milestones. The 2021 edition will be yet another in the storied legends that contribute to its mystique. This season's Derby will take place with a tarmac filled to capacity with anxious spectators after a one-year covid-induced "no fans in the stands" hiatus. Let's begin…
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Tommy Stadnyk – The kid from Winnipeg’s North End that done good, real good.
[caption id="attachment_13676" align="aligncenter" width="1000"] Bocage wins Manitoban Handicap at ASD. July 28, 1962. Tommy Stadnyk up. Mrs. Jack Hardy on the right. Mrs. John McDiarmid, wife of former Lieutenant Governor of Manitoba, on left.[/caption] by Bob Gates Jockey Tommy Stadnyk "… has broken his legs twice, has broken both wrists, his collarbone 'many times' and…
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Walter Brian Hutcheon – The Legend that is “Hutch”
[caption id="attachment_13630" align="aligncenter" width="1000"] Victor's Pride wins record 4th straight Agassiz Stakes for "Hutch" in 1979.[/caption] by Bob Gates "Long time horseman, Walter Brian Hutcheon, better known as “Hutch” at Assiniboia Downs, passed away peacefully in his sleep at his home in Winnipeg on September 2, 2001. He was 59." ~ George Williams, Manitoba Thoroughbred…
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Tom’s Triactor – Family, Horses and Golf
[caption id="attachment_13567" align="alignleft" width="1000"] Trainer Tom Dodds wins the 1994 Manitoba Derby with P. C.'s Bluff.[/caption] by Bob Gates After researching 50 years of newspaper articles and the like, you'd really think there would be a captivating headline regarding a Derby or an award-winning horse that would stand out over all others. No sir! Oh,…
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August 20, 1976 – A Dashingly Special Memory!
[caption id="attachment_13528" align="aligncenter" width="1000"] Dashing Demon draws away! August 20, 1976.[/caption] by Bob Gates This year marks the 10th season that the history blog has been recalling racing memories. Back in 2012, I was asked to write a weekly historical blog that would run during the Downs live thoroughbred race meet. Fast forward to the…
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Karen Chysyk – The Powder Puff Queen with the Million Dollar Smile
[caption id="attachment_13474" align="aligncenter" width="1000"] Karen Hendricks and Sir Double. March 17, 1981.[/caption] by Bob Gates Yet another fair lass from Saskatoon who called Assiniboia Downs home. Sound familiar? It should, as Karen Hendricks, nee Chysyk, started her journey with Joan Phipps, whose story was told here in August 2019. Karen grew up a stone's throw…
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The Great Cull of ’62
[caption id="attachment_13427" align="aligncenter" width="1000"] Royal Ghost. Three wins as a 10-year-old at the Downs in 1960. Double-digit payoffs every time. Bobby Stewart up.[/caption] by Bob Gates "Cull - to remove an inferior animal from a herd." The definition sounds sad, doesn't it? However, following Assiniboia Downs' 1962 race meet that is exactly what took place…
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Fergie, the Jets and Assiniboia Downs – A Love Story
[caption id="attachment_13375" align="aligncenter" width="1000"] John Ferguson (centre) makes presentation to connections of 1981 Manitoba Derby winner Regimen. Dan Beckon far left. Trainer Mike Doyle (in hat) on left. Owner Barbara Rausch[/caption] by Bob Gates Ten years ago, Mark Chipman announced the purchase of the Atlanta Thrashers, and the Winnipeg Jets 2.0 were born. What a…
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The Golden Age of Horse Racing
[caption id="attachment_13328" align="alignleft" width="986"] 1971 Powder Puff Derby winner Karen (Chysyk) Hendricks (center). Runner-up Joan Phipps to the right of Jack Hardy.[/caption] by Bob Gates The 1970s were a special time for the Sport of Kings. The decade bragged of its three Triple Crown winners Secretariat (1973), Seattle Slew (1977) and Affirmed (1978). Secretariat's sweep…
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“Wow! What a Ride!” Remembering Todd Kabel’s Years at Assiniboia Downs
[caption id="attachment_13289" align="aligncenter" width="604"] Todd Kabel, Manitoba Derby winner Rough Catch and Eddie Russell on the cover of the 1990 ASD Media Guide.[/caption] by Bob Gates On March 27, 2021 Todd Kenneth Kabel was more than a thousand miles away from his home track, Assiniboia Downs, when the "Big Boss of the Riders" gave him…
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