Larry and Ann are joined by John Campbell, The Hambletonian Society’s President and CEO, who discusses tonight’s Breeders Crown Championship Harness Racing card at the Meadowlands and what he feels are some of the most interesting matchups in some of the races. John also discusses Trainer the late Bob McIntosh and the special bond that he had with him and mentions why he believes that so many successful horsemen like himself and Bob McIntosh learned the business in Southwest Ontario. HBPA Ontario Executive Director, Steve Lym, who discusses the long path that he took working within the horse racing industry and where he finally ended up with the HBPA Ontario. Steve also talks about the many hats that he has worn working within the horse racing industry in Canada and the United States and whether he has noticed any similarities or differences between horse racing in Canada and the US. Woodbine Jockey Fraser Aebly, who discusses the three stakes’ victories he has had in the month of October so far and what he accounts this recent success to. Fraser also discusses his agent, former Jockey Gerry Olguin and how much he relies on his advice to help his own career and talks about the Woodbine Jockey colony and some of the riders that have helped him to date. Fraser also mentions whether there was an adjustment moving from the smaller Western Canada tracks to riding full time at Woodbine.
In our feature, ‘In Case You Missed It’ A Look At The Way It Was In Horse Racing News, Larry talks about the recent announcement made by Woodbine that they will be hosting the Breeders Crown in 2025 at Woodbine Mohawk Park .In our newest regular feature, ‘Road Trip’, Larry talks about today’s $250,000 Forty Niner Stakes at Belmont at Aqueduct and mentions about some of the history behind the race itself and who he believes the race ‘goes through’ today. He also provides his ‘Ponies Picks of the Day’ selections for several North American Racetracks today, later in the show.
Key Points:
- John initially discusses tonight’s Breeders Crown Championship racing card at the Meadowlands and pinpoints some of the races that he is looking forward to watching. John also talks about whether there was a race that continued to allude him as a Driver and why he was not able to eventually win it. He also discusses late Trainer Bob McIntosh and why he enjoyed such a special bond with him and mentions who he believes was the best horse that he ever drove. John also discusses a horse that he would have liked to drive during his career and mentions why he believes that so many good horsemen like himself, began their careers in Southwestern Ontario.
- Steve discusses his many roles that he has had in the horse racing industry before landing at the at the HBPA Ontario as Executive Director this past March, including how in 1975 he was the youngest Trainer to train in Canada. He also mentions how he became interested in horse racing initially and considering how many of his working roles were in horse racing on both sides of the Border, did he notice any differences or similarities in the horse racing business in Canada compared to the United States. He also discusses some of the industry initiatives that he will be working on going forward in the New Year with the HBPA Ontario and if there are any issues that he believes still need to be resolved.
- Fraser discusses how he has been on a roll in the month of October winning three stakes’ races at Woodbine and what he accounts this recent success to. He also talks about the Woodbine Jockey’s room and if there is anyone in ‘the room’ that he can turn to for riding advice and talks about some of the other Jockeys who have helped him along the way. Fraser also talks about why he is no longer an Apprentice Jockey and explains for our listeners what the term ‘losing your bug’ means. He also talks about where it all started for him as a Jockey in BC and some of the other tracks in Western Canada where he was fortunate to ride and whether there was a learning curve for him going from the smaller tracks out West to a bigger facility like Woodbine. Fraser also mentions how his Agent, former Jockey Gerry Olguin has helped his career since he moved East and what was the best piece of advice that Gerry ever gave him so far in his riding career.