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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Secretariat’s Triple Crown: A Half Century Later
[caption id="attachment_18789" align="alignright" width="1000"] Secretariat. 1973 Triple Crown winner.[/caption] by Bob Gates As the opening passage starts, “In the beginning…” One of the greatest horses in the history of horse racing made his first start on July 4, 1972. In time he would become America’s horse, so how fitting is it that Secretariat would go…
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Last Breaths and Forever Fred
[caption id="attachment_18516" align="alignright" width="1000"] "Fred" Fleeting Heritage. One of his early wins. August 21, 1977.[/caption] by Bob Gates Fred was a thoroughbred who only knew one racetrack, Assiniboia Downs. His first start came as a 2-year-old on July 30, 1976. His final call to the post took place 11 years later, on May 24, 1987.…
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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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“Doc” Elder reflects on the Captain, the Colonel, a Close Encounter and more…
[caption id="attachment_17317" align="alignright" width="2560"] Dr. Norm Elder (right) and Edward Plunket "E.P." Taylor. 1977 Manitoba Derby.[/caption] by Bob Gates Most of us know Dr. Norm Elder as the one-time owner of Elder's Equine Clinic, or for that matter some might think he still owns the clinic. In addition, he's recognized as a member of the…
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Bob Crockett, Owner, Breeder of Thoroughbreds. A 50-Year Adventure.
[caption id="attachment_17090" align="alignright" width="1000"] Dawn Marches On wins the 1982 Debutante Stakes for Hazelridge Holdings and Bob Crockett, second from left of horse.[/caption] by Bob Gates Quiet and unassuming, that's Robert "call-me-Bob" Crockett. And this friends, makes his story challenging to tell. For the purposes of this history blog that means there's less information…
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Balooga Bull: Simply the Best
[caption id="attachment_16726" align="alignright" width="800"] Jockey Paul Nolan and Balooga Bull after winning the 2014 Gold Cup.[/caption] by Bob Gates There's a common thread that links books written to honour champions of the past and our humble blog stories. Both remember special equines from the early days of the Winnipeg racing scene who have long since…
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Anatomy of a Track Record
[caption id="attachment_16689" align="alignright" width="1000"] Rangatira sets new six-furlong track record at ASD. May 20, 1973.[/caption] by Bob Gates Does the title of our blog story this week have a familiar ring to it? Hope so. Most of you are probably too young to remember the 1959 American courtroom drama and crime film "Anatomy of a…
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Tommy & Wayne Elias, the father and son team behind Question Mark Farm
[caption id="attachment_13988" align="aligncenter" width="1000"] Never A Question wins at ASD on August 14, 1967.[/caption] by Bob Gates For those of us who go back far enough, few would debate that Question Mark Farm was one of the more iconic stable names to have ever graced a barn at Assiniboia Downs. Owner, trainer, breeder and Master…
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Lawrence Greenberg: Master of Big Boy Stable
[caption id="attachment_13854" align="aligncenter" width="1000"] Beausejour Boy and Lawrence Greenberg in 1978.[/caption] by Bob Gates "Lawrence was bigger than life. He was what I pictured a big owner to look like, just the way he carried himself. The stable name suited him to a tee." -- Irwin Driedger on Lawrence Greenberg You hear phrases like "bigger…
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