2021 Preakness Special Edition
May 13, 2021
Hosted by John Engelhardt
[Download MP3] [itunes] [Bookmark Episode]
Guest Information
Episode Description
These have been tumultuous days for the sport of thoroughbred racing and in the center of the storm is Hall of Fame trainer Bob Baffert and his Kentucky Derby winning, bargain basement colt Medina Spirit. The discovery of the therapeutic drug betamethasone in the post-race test of Medina Spirit has cast a dark cloud over the Derby winner and his connections. While a split sample will be tested to verify the drug’s presence, it has now admittedly been discovered that the substance used for inflammation in horses, entered the horse’s bloodstream through a topical ointment applied by a veterinarian for the treatment of a rash. Many questions remain, and while Baffert-trained runners have been barred from racing at Churchill Downs, they will be competing at Pimlico in two high-profile races, including the second jewel of the Triple Crown – the Preakness Stakes. Baffert’s horses can’t read the press releases and have gone about training forwardly for their races. Medina Spirit and stablemate Concert Tour will go to post in the Preakness, while Baffert will send Beautiful Gift to post as the favorite in the Grade 2 Black-Eyed Susan. This week we will speak with two veterans of the racing game from two separate continents. Former on-track British bookmaker James Ross will join us from Great Britain to give us the viewpoint of this week’s events from across the pond. James and John will give their top Preakness picks and stay tuned…you never know what surprises James might have for our listeners from his BUSR RaceBook. Writer/handicapper Tom LaMarra makes the Mid-Atlantic his thoroughbred racing beat. He will once again join us to give his selections in some of the key races over the Friday/Saturday programs. There will be plenty to pick from and reasons to pull down the E-Z Win Forms we offer at winningponies.com There are four graded stakes races on Friday and six on Saturday.
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.”
