[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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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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Memories of Hall of Famer Irwin Driedger
[caption id="attachment_18620" align="alignright" width="1000"] Irwin in the winner's circle at Assiniboia Downs with Astral Moon in 1979.[/caption] by Bob Gates One of the many rewards of writing the history blog is meeting a lot of good people from the sport we all love. Getting to know Irwin Driedger easily sits near the top of that…
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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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From His Bench in the Shadow of the Grandstand, the Old Man says Au Revoir to Live Racing for 2022
[caption id="attachment_17390" align="alignright" width="1000"] The "Old Man" says goodbye to season #65 at ASD. And remembers 1962.[/caption] by Bob Gates With only three days of "Live" left in 2022 Season, the 65th at ASD, we caught up with the portly old man who can usually be seen sitting on one of the benches closest to…
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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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Eddie Werre Jr. Journeyman Jock From Ashley, North Dakota
[caption id="attachment_16972" align="alignright" width="1000"] Call My Number wins at ASD on July 13, 1977. Ed Werre up for trainer Tom Dodds.[/caption] by Bob Gates Werre? There has to be some of you wondering who Ed Werre is and what's so special about him? This is another one of those blogs where our person of interest…
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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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