[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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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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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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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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Secret Weapons and Other 50-year-old Memories of Nice Dancer
[caption id="attachment_16604" align="alignright" width="1000"] 1972 Manitoba Derby winner Nice Dancer and jockey Bobby Stewart.[/caption] by Bob Gates Well another Manitoba Derby is on the books and congratulations go out to the winner Red Knobs and his connections, owner Rob Nokes, trainer Robertino Diodoro and jockey Jorge Carreno. It's fun to look back at the list…
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Assiniboia Downs: Eight Decades and Counting
by Bob Gates "And Now for Something Completely Different" was a catchphrase from the British television comedy series Monty Python's Flying Circus, and it just happens to be perfect for this week's blog. This isn't your typical history story, at least it's not what you've grown accustomed to. What we have this week is an…
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1998 Manitoba Derby: A Milestone Event
by Bob Gates The historic Manitoba Derby is a treasure-trove of milestones. The 2021 edition will be yet another in the storied legends that contribute to its mystique. This season's Derby will take place with a tarmac filled to capacity with anxious spectators after a one-year covid-induced "no fans in the stands" hiatus. Let's begin…
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Fergie, the Jets and Assiniboia Downs – A Love Story
[caption id="attachment_13375" align="aligncenter" width="1000"] John Ferguson (centre) makes presentation to connections of 1981 Manitoba Derby winner Regimen. Dan Beckon far left. Trainer Mike Doyle (in hat) on left. Owner Barbara Rausch[/caption] by Bob Gates Ten years ago, Mark Chipman announced the purchase of the Atlanta Thrashers, and the Winnipeg Jets 2.0 were born. What a…
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Fire N Desire’s 1969 Derby “Orbit” Turns 50!
[caption id="attachment_10473" align="alignright" width="1000"] Fire N Desire. 1969 Manitoba Derby.[/caption] by Bob Gates It's been 50 years since Fire N Desire won the 21st running of the Manitoba Derby. The recent media flood of documentaries reminds us of another event that shares this anniversary. Fire N Desire's July 19, 1969 Derby romp took place on…
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