[caption id="attachment_19713" align="alignright" width="1000"] Ten to Ace. June 19, 1942. Winnipeg Tribune.[/caption] by Bob Gates As you know, the history blog has a soft spot for the early days of racing in the “Peg.” The horses, people and events associated with River, Whittier and Polo Parks, along with memories from Assiniboia Downs in its formative…
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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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Fire N Desire’s 1969 Derby “Orbit” Turns 50!
[caption id="attachment_10473" align="alignright" width="1000"] Fire N Desire. 1969 Manitoba Derby.[/caption] by Bob Gates It's been 50 years since Fire N Desire won the 21st running of the Manitoba Derby. The recent media flood of documentaries reminds us of another event that shares this anniversary. Fire N Desire's July 19, 1969 Derby romp took place on…
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The Day Two Ladies Reigned Supreme at ASD. July 15, 1970 .
[caption id="attachment_9019" align="aligncenter" width="1000"] Royals arrive at Assiniboia Downs for the Manitoba Derby. July 15, 1970.[/caption] by Bob Gates Manitoba was celebrating its centenary in 1970 and the owner of Assiniboia Downs, Jack Hardy, wasn't about to let the occasion pass without taking full advantage. The 22nd running of the Manitoba Derby was the marquee…
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Plentiful’s 2017 Manitoba Derby triumph provides storybook ending
[caption id="attachment_8976" align="alignright" width="400"] 2017 Manitoba Derby winner Plentiful[/caption] by Bob Gates Imagine, a blog dedicated to all things historical, and this week we travel all the way back in time to last year's Derby. Murray Duncan and the Estate of Garylle Bruce Stewart's Plentiful won the 69th running of the Manitoba Derby in 2017,…
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Overskate and Connections Dominate in 1978 Manitoba Derby
[caption id="attachment_8908" align="alignright" width="1024"] Overskate in the winner's circle after his victory in the Manitoba Derby on September 9, 1978.[/caption] by Bob Gates It’s been 40 years since Overskate and Robin Platts spanked five innocent foes in 30th running of the Manitoba Derby on September 9, 1978. Going into the Derby, Overskate was considered the…
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Manitoba Derby: Runs to Remember
[caption id="attachment_8859" align="alignright" width="1024"] Rough Catch wins 1989 Manitoba Derby! A winner's circle to remember for sure![/caption] by Bob Gates Welcome to the second in our five-part series devoted to the 70th Running of the Manitoba Derby. Today we look at more than 40 years of Derby memories, starting with the most recent and…
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Everything you wanted to know about the Manitoba Derby, but were afraid to ask
[caption id="attachment_8820" align="aligncenter" width="1024"] The largest Manitoba Derby Crowd ever turned out to see Queen Elizabeth II on July 15, 1970.[/caption] by Bob Gates The Manitoba Derby is a month away and what better time to look back at the history of the premiere race of the season. The 2018 edition of the Derby is…
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The Manitoba Derby, The Forgotten Years – 1930 to 1940
[caption id="attachment_7550" align="alignnone" width="780"] The first winner of the Manitoba Stakes-Derby. Jack Whittier. 1930.[/caption] by Bob Gates It's been 57 years since Jack Hardy resurrected our Manitoba Derby in 1960 and this year's Derby is the 69th running of what was once touted as the "Run for the Tartan." I've never been a math genius,…
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Bimbo the Pony, Legend and Legacy
[caption id="attachment_6005" align="alignright" width="780"] Bimbo the Pony with Allan Gray.[/caption] by Bob Gates All of you who remember or who have ever heard of a horse named "Bimbo" please raise your hands. I don't see many arms in the air. That's not unexpected. Until I found an old obscure newspaper article from the now defunct…
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