[caption id="attachment_15853" align="alignright" width="1000"] Fire N Desire wins 1969 Manitoba Derby. Dick Armstrong up.[/caption] by Bob Gates Let's celebrate a Diamond Jubilee, shall we? This year marks the 60th anniversary of jockey George Richard "Dickie" Armstrong's first leading-rider title (1962) at Assiniboia Downs. The Maple Creek, Saskatchewan native would go on to top the Downs…
Read more
I Dreamed of a Racetrack Heaven
[caption id="attachment_12182" align="aligncenter" width="1080"] Don't Cry for the Horses[/caption] by Bob Gates In the early 1950s Eddie Dean wrote a song that he said was inspired by a dream. Dean recorded "Hillbilly Heaven" in 1954 but it never really caught on. In 1961 Tex Ritter, father of the late TV actor John Ritter, released his…
Read more
Rupert “Chicago” Parker liked hats and a good cigar
by Bob Gates Some and perhaps most of you will consider this week's blog story choice a little obscure. Others will look at the title and wonder, Rupert who? Rupert Parker was a jockey who plied his trade at Assiniboia Downs from the mid 1960s to the mid to late 1970s. He wasn't the most…
Read more
Max Freed Plays “Let’s Make a Deal” with Monty Hall
[caption id="attachment_3259" align="alignright" width="270"] Fort Garry in the Winner's Circle, September 11, 1948.[/caption] by Bob Before telling you about this Manitoba racing icon's deal with TV game show host Monty Hall, let me give you some background on one of the greatest and well-known local horseman, Max Freed. Max was born to David and Tilley…
Read more