[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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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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Assiniboia Downs Celebrates 75th Running of the Manitoba Derby
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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The Legend of Ten to Ace
[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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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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Dean Kutz: Two-Time Downs Leading Rider Defied the Odds!
[caption id="attachment_19066" align="alignright" width="1000"] Dean Kutz. Assiniboia Downs Leading Rider 1977-1978.[/caption] by Bob Gates Like a lot of others, jockey Dean W. Kutz got his start at country fairs and riding in the bushes. However, unlike other saddlesmiths, Kutz battled the odds just to get his shot at sitting atop thousand-pound thoroughbreds. Dean was born…
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