Hooked On Harness

Episodes

1. 23

   HOH Episode #23 - The Return of Harness Racing

   After several months of lockdown, we are thankful and excited that harness racing has returned in Ontario. Six weeks into the re-start, we actually have horse updates beyond just training videos. For once, it even looks like Adam M. has a better-than-mediocre horse. We chat about the return of…

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   Jul 20, 2020

   29m
2. 22

   HOH Episode #22 - Thinking About The New Abnormal

   Thankfully, harness racing has either re-started or is about to restart in most of North America; Ontario is just a few sleeps away. What will the new normal look like? How will it impact horses, fans, trainers, wagering, TV coverage (?!) and a slew of other considerations. Is this actually a...

   May 29, 2020

   41m
3. 21

   HOH Episode #21 - John Campbell Interview & The Temporary New Normal

   Bern Tobin 'sits down' (virtually, like everything else these days) with John Campbell, the winning-est driver in harness racing history and current President of the Hambletonian Society. Not an easy time for most industries in the face of the current global pandemic, and harness racing is no...

   Apr 2, 2020

   37m
4. 20

   HOH Episode #20 - Nerding Out @ Winbak Farms

   One of our favourite topics is how to improve the sport: what's the ideal amount of time between races? Our list for horse updates seems to get longer with each episode. A tour of a world-class breeding farm at Winbak Farms, where Adam M. got to be a fan boy with the top Ontario Sires, plus a...

   Mar 6, 2020

   37m
5. 19

   HOH Episode #19 - A New Year, with Some New Segments

   For our first HOH of 2020, we try out two new segments: 'Inside the Program' to better understand some of the statistical gems that are hiding in there, and a look at older horses that Bern and Adam K. have owned in the past. We'll break for our craft beer review, check in on our new horses and...

   Jan 10, 2020

   37m
6. 18

   HOH Episode #18 - Breeders Crown Highlights

   For the first time in years, the Breeders Crown returned to Canada and Woodbine Mohawk Park. We debrief on the Saturday night that was, talk Lexington yearling sale and loading up on new horses in 'the draft'. Now that it's real, we chat about the longer race distance that was recently introduced...

   Nov 9, 2019

   34m
7. 17

   HOH Episode #17 - The Kids Are Alright

   We take our time to get angry political and tear a righteous strip off one of our least favourite local tracks trying to ban kids. Horse updates, getting ready for the fall yearling sales, our second 'yay or neigh' segment and our first unanimous craft beer review. Enjoy!

   Sep 27, 2019

   34m
8. 16

   HOH Episode #16 - Yay or Neigh?

   Mid-summer horse updates, a super-local craft beer review and our new 'yay or neigh?' segment on some of the harness racing innovations being tried in other countries. All from Puerta Backyarda. Enjoy!

   Jul 26, 2019

   35m
9. 15

   HOH Episode #15 - SCTV Naming Convention?

   Johnny LaRue and the best characters from SCTV: is this the perfect naming convention for race horses? Finally, Adam M. gets his in in-depth interview with 'Uncle' Bernie and the usual medley of horse updates, both good and tragic. Enjoy!

   Jun 7, 2019

   35m
10. 14

    HOH Episode #14 - Finally...Spring Racing!

    We're back from a brutal 2 months of winter weather for a spring 2019 preview and what's ahead for HOH. Super fans of harness racing, horse updates, our now-regular Off&Pacing segment and more. Also an explosive "Arts & Crafts" beer review, which thankfully isn't cider.

    Mar 14, 2019

    28m
11. 13

    HOH Episode #13 - 2018 Highlights & Year End Wrap-Up

    Adam x2 and Bern go through our 2018 harness racing highlights, update on new horses, introduce you to the new 'Catch Driver' virtual racing game and squeeze in a year-end craft beer review...sort of. Enjoy!

    Dec 19, 2018

    30m
12. 12

    HOH EP 12 - Rants on Under-Performers

    Bern and Adam M update on the summer/fall performance of their horses, including frustrating under-performers. Also, why are we constantly being asked if it's OK to bring kids to a racetrack? OffandPacing update and more - enjoy!

    Oct 25, 2018

    27m
13. 11

    HOH Episode #11 - Newbie Questions & Looking at the Future

    We start off old-school with the HOH ‘mailbag’ and answer some common questions from newbies to harness racing, then take a look to the future of the sport = not to name tracks (you know who you are, Northfield Park), but it's time to stop hiding a great sport’s on-line presence behind a bunch of...

    Sep 7, 2018

    24m
14. 10

    HOH Episode #10 - OFF and PACING

    The two Adams introduce you to "OFF and PACING", a mobile harness racing game that's almost as much fun as the real sport. Things quickly go full-nerd, as we can't resist veering into the intricacies and strategies to finding winning horses.

    Jun 29, 2018

    32m
15. 9

    HOH Episode #9 - O'Brien Awards!

    The O'Brien's are like the Oscars of Canadian harness racing, complete with red carpet - or does that make them closer to the Junos? HOH's own Odds on Amethyst picked up the big trophy, and one of our co-hosts was so star struck he spilled his beverage...

    Mar 4, 2018

    21m
16. 8

    HOH Episode #8 - Anthony MacDonald

    HOH catches up with trainer, driver and stable.ca co-founder Anthony MacDonald. Mandatory listening for anyone new to harness racing, minority horse ownership, or just thinking about it. Delicious insights for all, and way more interesting than following the baseball off-season.

    Jan 16, 2018

    44m
17. 7

    HOH Episode #7 - Stakes Season Wrap-Up

    Most of our horses never got a whiff of the big stakes races (with one exception...), but that doesn't mean we didn't have an absolute blast this past season. It also won't stop us from calling this episode a 'stakes season wrap-up'. To keep it all in perspective, Adam M. chats with Chuck, a more...

    Oct 27, 2017

    30m
18. 6

    HOH Episode #6 - Favourite horse racing stories

    We share some of our favourite racing stories, including one musical interlude, talk about what makes a great driver and still manage to squeeze in a craft beer review - D-LISH!

    Sep 3, 2017

    28m
19. 5

    HOH Episode 5: Summer Racing & Horse Updates

    Is it worth paying ten bucks to watch a night of live racing, and which soap opera theme music should we use when discussing the ups and downs of horses we're following?

    Aug 17, 2017

    23m
20. 4

    The Legendary Cam Fella & Pat Crowe

    When looking for a champion racehorse, or even one that's modestly competitive, exactly what should you look for? I'm guessing there might be a thing (or 200) to learn from Pat Crowe, trainer and driver of the legendary Cam Fella. We sent Bern on assignment to learn more...

    Jun 27, 2017

    22m
21. 3

    Hooked On Harness - Episode #3

    What do you get when the horse named Jack Reacher overlaps with the pulp fiction Lee Child character by the same name? Possibly the craziest, most random horseracing story ever told!

    May 7, 2017

    13m
22. 2

    Hooked On Harness - Episode #2

    "Paying for potential", standardbred horse characteristics we're looking for - either as more experienced owners, or hack newbie amateurs. Horses we're looking forward to seeing race this upcoming summer season, and an Ontario Craft Beer review...

    May 7, 2017

    26m
23. 1

    Hooked On Harness - Episode #1

    Inaugural episode of Hooked On Harness - where we talk harness racing, craft beers and what races we're excited about for the 2017 summer season in Ontario.

    May 1, 2017

    21m