[caption id="attachment_20577" align="alignright" width="1000"] The old man on the bench at ASD. We found him.[/caption] by Bob Gates The past is behind, learn from it. The future is ahead, prepare for it. The present is here, live it. -– Thomas S. Monson It’s been three and a half months since starter Derek Corbel sent the…
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The Levesque Family – Friends of Assiniboia Downs
[caption id="attachment_20453" align="alignright" width="1000"] 1975 Manitoba Derby. L to R: Yonnie Starr, Derby Belle and Jean-Louis Levesque.[/caption] by Bob Gates How do you pay tribute to the father/son duo of Jean-Louis and Pierre-Louis, who were important contributors to the history of Assiniboia Downs? It isn’t an easy task, but let’s give it a go.…
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The Room
[caption id="attachment_20331" align="alignright" width="1000"] The Room. 2023 Assiniboia Downs Jockey Colony.[/caption] by Bob Gates Deep within the confines of the north end of the Assiniboia Downs grandstand on the lower level is a restricted area where only jockeys, valets and officials are allowed. Of course, this is “The Room,” the place jockeys call home. Thoughts…
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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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Memories of the 1973 “Run for the Tartan”
[caption id="attachment_19605" align="alignright" width="1000"] 1973 Manitoba Derby winner Zaca Spirit in the winner's circle with Jack Hardy, George Frostad and son Mark, Carl Chapman, and Lt. Gov. Jack McKeag.[/caption] by Bob Gates In a little more than two weeks the Manitoba Jockey Club will present the historic 75th running of the $125,000 Manitoba Derby. Historic?…
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The Manitoba Centennial Derby – July 15, 1970
[caption id="attachment_19466" align="alignright" width="1000"] 1970 Manitoba Derby. Program cover.[/caption] by Bob Gates Let’s take a short break from the usual fare you find on these pages and go with one of our photo blogs, shall we? This year’s 75th Running of the Manitoba Derby features $125,000 in purse money with an additional $100,000 bonus…
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A Starter’s Nightmare
[caption id="attachment_19184" align="alignright" width="1000"] Buster Jeffrey at the ASD gate, circa 1970.[/caption] by Bob Gates The place? Old Polo Park Racetrack, right here in River City. The date? Thursday, June 16, 1955. The occasion? One of the strangest days in the history of local horse racing. They had finished four of the seven races that…
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The Ragens: Born Into Racing
[caption id="attachment_18900" align="alignright" width="1227"] Ed Ragen and Super Twenty.[/caption] by Bob Gates The Ragens were a multi-generational horse racing family with its roots in Ireland. Edward Michael Ragen was one of the original grand old men of racing. “Eddie” spent more than 70 years racing thoroughbreds, until an injury from a 1981 fall forced him…
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Beginnings, Endings and Thank You
[caption id="attachment_16378" align="alignright" width="1000"] Bobby Stewart Tribute Gallery.[/caption] by Bob Gates Who's kidding who, you're being short-changed this time around. Our weekly history blog isn't about a historical horse racing figure or event. That's right, no person, horse or anything else was researched for today's tale. However, in an effort to pacify my editor I've…
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