[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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Footprints, Hoofprints & Milestones at ASD
[caption id="attachment_18366" align="alignright" width="1000"] Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II. 1970 Manitoba Centennial-Derby.[/caption] by Bob Gates Can you believe that come opening day, Monday May 22, 235 days will have passed since our four-legged athletes were called to the post here at the Downs last September 28. So, who’s ready for some live racing! If your…
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Celebrating 64 Years of the Gold Cup
[caption id="attachment_14051" align="aligncenter" width="1000"] Pool to Market sets new track record in 1967 Gold Cup at Assiniboia Downs[/caption] by Bob Gates One of the many challenges facing Jack Hardy when he opened Assiniboia Downs in 1958 was to establish races that would grow into annual contests steeped in tradition. In the first year of…
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The Derby Trial Returns to Assiniboia Downs
[caption id="attachment_12105" align="aligncenter" width="1080"] Fire N Desire wins the St. James-Assiniboia Handicap. July 11, 1969.[/caption] by Bob Gates Following an 11-year absence (2009 -2019) the Downs 2020 stakes race calendar features the return of the Derby Trial. Jack Hardy resurrected the Manitoba Derby in 1960 and since that time 60 Derbies have been run at…
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Assiniboia Downs Kicks Off Season #63 of Live Racing
Milestones & Memories Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II at the 1970 Manitoba Centennial Derby by Bob Gates Welcome to the new "normal" as the Downs makes the final preparations to open for its inaugural "No Fans In The Stands" 2020 race meet. We have all lived the events of this spring and heaven knows they…
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Opening day 2018 beckons at ASD. A little history!
by Bob Gates Everyone's talking about the Kentucky Derby and Mothers' Day is just around the corner. You know what that means! Live racing is set to return to Assiniboia Downs! After a seven-month hiatus the Downs launches its 2018 season of thoroughbred horse racing this Mothers' Day, Sunday, May 13, and Darren Dunn and…
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Wondrous Wednesday – Oh What a Night!
[caption id="attachment_5494" align="alignleft" width="780"] Jim Sorenson on Simons Sword. His 3rd of 7 winners on June 23, 1976.[/caption] by Bob Gates Isn't it sweet when everything clicks and you can do no wrong? Well, Assiniboia Downs can boast of at least five jockeys who experienced a rare combination of skill, luck and whatever else…
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Philip Kives, Master of K5 Stables – A Tribute
[caption id="attachment_5380" align="alignright" width="390"] Phil Kives with Island Fling in 1978.[/caption] by Bob Gates Much has been written about the president and founder of K-tel International since his unexpected death on April 27, 2016. Today we leave the world of the Miracle Brush, Veg-O-Matic, Teflon Fry Pan, Patty Stacker and records like "Hooked on Classics"…
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Husbands wins 4 on opening night 2016 at ASD, Wagering doubles
[caption id="attachment_5341" align="alignleft" width="790"] Out of Mischief powers home to win the first race of the 2016 season at ASD, the Don Gray Memorial, for trainer Gary Danelson. Richard Mairs up.[/caption] Jockey Chris Husbands won four of the eight races on Mothers' Day opening night 2016 at Assiniboia Downs; trainer Tom Gardipy Jr. scored a…
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A Tale of Two Wolves for 2016 Opening Day at ASD
[caption id="attachment_5124" align="aligncenter" width="780"] One of three winners for Bernie "Longshot" Howland on Opening Day 1971.[/caption] by Bob Gates The 2016 live racing season kicks off on Mother's Day, Sunday, May 8, as has become our custom at Assiniboia Downs, and have I got a story for you. It goes like this: An old Cherokee…
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