With a successful and well-received first season in the books, Ontario Racing Unfiltered returns for a second season with its season premiere slated for Thursday, July 18.

Once again produced by Toronto's Bug Content, Ontario Racing Unfiltered provides a behind-the-scenes look at the passion and rivalries in Ontario's horse racing industry, presented by Ontario Lottery & Gaming Corp. (OLG) and Ontario Racing. The first season focused solely on Standardbred and Thoroughbred racing, with the second season adding the province's Quarter Horse racing scene into the mix.

"Reflecting on the success of our inaugural season, we are thrilled to announce the return of Ontario Racing Unfiltered for its highly anticipated second season," Maxine Chapman, OLG VP Brand and Marketing Officer, told Trot Insider. "The positive reception and enthusiastic support from our viewers has been incredibly encouraging. This project holds immense significance in our efforts to promote and elevate horse racing, not only within our province but also on a larger scale by showcasing the amazing human and equine talent in Ontario. 

"By bringing the excitement and tradition of horse racing to a broader audience, we are fostering a deeper appreciation for the sport. Our goal is to continue building on this momentum, engaging more fans and showcasing the dynamic world of horse racing to new and diverse audiences."

Trot Insider received an exclusive preview for the Season Two premiere. James MacDonald, Doug McNair and Tyler Jones return as participants, and new to the series for the second season is driver Bob McClure.

"They had such a positive reaction from the first season, and I was lucky enough to be the one they asked to be a part of it," McClure told Trot Insider. "It was a lot of fun."

One of the scenes includes the aforementioned drivers participating in a round of golf, illustrating both the camaraderie and competitiveness of Unfiltered's proverbial four horsemen.

"They filmed it on a race day," noted McClure, indicating that kept the drivers in check to a degree, "but there were still some shots fired."

Cameras also followed McClure in advance of the 2024 stakes season and his recovery from a broken femur that sidelined him this past winter.

The first episode of the four-episode season will be available on multiple digital platforms on Thursday, including Crave, tsn.ca, ctv.ca and affiliated YouTube channels. A full schedule breakdown can be found below:

• Episode 1 - July 18
• Episode 2 - Aug. 1
• Episode 3 - Aug. 15
• Episode 4 - Sept. 12

(Standardbred Canada; with files from Ontario Racing)