Guests: DRF Columnist Brad Free and Contests Pro Jonathan Kinchen
March 4, 2021
Hosted by John Engelhardt
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Guest Information
Episode Description
Just as it appears that Covid-19 concerns are waning, it appears that Derby Fever is starting to spread from coast to coast. Brad Free, handicapper and columnist for the Daily Racing Form will cover the action taking place on the west coast. Derby dreamers will head to post in the G2 $200,000 San Felipe. That race is complimented on the card by two G1 contests – the $400,000 Santa Anita Handicap and $400,000 Frank E. Kilroe Mile on the turf. On Sunday, Santa Anita will feature the G3 $100,000 Santa Ysabel that will be a Kentucky Oaks qualifier. Well-known handicapping contest winner Jonathan Kinchen will join John for the second handicapping portion of the show. On the east coast, Aqueduct will play host to two “points” races on Saturday. The G3 $300,00 Gotham Stakes has served as a springboard for such outstanding runners as Native Dancer, Dr. Fager, Easy Goer and the immortal Secretariat. Also on the card there is an Oaks prep in the G3 $250,000 Busher Invitational. Tampa Bay Downs has a solid card with five stakes races, four of them graded events. The main attraction is the G2 $400,000 Tampa Bay Derby. Oaklawn Park will offer the G3 $300,000 Honeybee Stakes with 50-20-15-5 points towards a ticket to the Kentucky Oaks.
Winning Ponies
Thursday at 5 PM Pacific Time on VoiceAmerica Variety Channel
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.”