Trainer Gary Johnson and Horse Racing Nation Founder Brian Zipse
April 19, 2018
Hosted by John Engelhardt
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Guest Information
Episode Description
Trainer Gary Johnson is a man who re-invented himself - twice. He has been a guest as a former trainer-turned-tournament player, who used his skills as a sharp claiming trainer to spot winners in big money handicapping contests. Previous to that, he won numerous trainer titles at Thistledown. From 1998 to 2002 he won over $1 million each season. After his hiatus as a trainer to do the tourney tours, the lure of the track drew him back. He started out with 3 horses claimed at Tampa Bay and now has 50 heads. He is already closing in on $1/2 million in purses in 2018 and is 2nd in the trainer standings at Mahoning Valley and about to move his stable back to Thistledown for the summer. Gary will swap stories with John and take a look at this year's Kentucky Derby. Brian Zipse is a popular guest on Winningponies. The founder of Horse Racing Nation will give us his current top ten list in the "Run for the Roses." He will also give us a glimpse of a new racing venture he is starting.
Winning Ponies
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On the show we will talk about the Sport of Kings. We will delve into the different features of the WinningPonies.com website. John Engelhardt will talk about the issues of the day that affect horse racing, such as synthetic surfaces, medication rule changes, the fate of the industry as a whole, VLTs and Casinos, and human interest stories of triumph and defeat. You will also hear our spot play of the week, where John will handicap the feature races for the upcoming weekend, and will give out his best plays. We will keep you abreast racing’s big events. Featured on the show will be guests (trainers, jockeys, owners, celebrity handicappers and industry insiders). Promotional giveaways will be featured, such as brand merchandise and free WinningCredits.
"Winning Ponies" is broadcast live every Thursday at 8 PM Eastern/5 PM Pacific on the VoiceAmerica Variety Channel.
John Engelhardt
You may recognize him as "Racing's Regular Guy." For ten years, John Engelhardt hosted the informative and sometimes irreverent handicapping show from his base at River Downs in Cincinnati, Ohio. He developed a passion for thoroughbred racing as a youngster at Saratoga, and has been able to make his love of the sport his life's calling.
Engelhardt, a native of Syracuse, New York is a graduate of the University of Dayton. His professional career in racing began as the track photographer at Beulah Park in 1983 and he has worked in racing ever since. John produced "The Stretch Run" for eight years, which aired on the CBS affiliate WCPO-TV in Cincinnati. For four years Engelhardt co-hosted "The Regular Guy Handicapping Show on HOMER 1530-AM in Cincinnati with former "Winning Ponies" host Ed Meyer.
John served as the President of the Turf Publicists of America in 2009 and 2010, after serving several years as the Midwest Vice-President of that organization. He is currently a consultant for Pinnacle Entertainment handling publicity, public relations, marketing, advertising and special events for River Downs. Under the "nom-de-course" of Heart of an Angel Stable, he has bred and owned thoroughbreds for 18 years.
"Racing's Regular Guy" has been exposed to racing on many levels and greets the sport with enthusiasm and well-rounded knowledge. Tune in Thursdays at 5PM PT, as he welcomes nationally recognized guests, who will help you find those "Winning Ponies.”