WP Welcomes DRF Brad Free and HRN Senior Writer Matt Shifman
July 22, 2021
Hosted by John Engelhardt
[Download MP3] [itunes] [Bookmark Episode]
Guest Information
Episode Description
Brad Free will be our first guest. A 30-year veteran of the Daily Racing Form, he is based in Southern California covering Santa Anita, Del Mar, Fairplex, and Hollywood Park. He is the author of "Handicapping 101: Finding the Right Horses and Making the Right Bets." Brad provides a daily analysis of the races. Each day during the meet, Brad Free offers his insight and analysis of the entire card. He will be joining John to discuss recent happenings on the west coast and handicap two contentious graded turf tests at Del Mar. The G2, $250,000 Eddie Read will feature a chance for redemption for millionaire United, who was upset as a heavy odds-on favorite last out by Award Winner who will be in the starting gate. Irish punters may want to be backing Going Global from the Emerald Isle. Since her debut in the U.S., she has reeled off four straight turf wins, three of them in graded stakes races Matt Shifman has been a devoted fan of thoroughbred racing and handicapping since childhood, going to the races with his father at Aqueduct, Belmont Park, and Monmouth Park from their home in Central New Jersey. Since 2011, Matt has been the New York and Monmouth Park Correspondent at HorseRacingNation where he is currently a Senior Writer. He also co-hosts the popular weekly video show HorseCenter, which can be seen on YouTube. You can follow Matt on Twitter @AndyScoggin. Matt is also a voter for the weekly NTRA Top Thoroughbred Poll and a partner in the NY Hot List which provides handicapping services to ADWs around the country. Matt Shifman was recently named the winner of the 2021 Bill Handleman Award for outstanding coverage of the Haskell Stakes. It will be most interesting to hear his take on last week's disqualification of Hot Rod Charlie in that Monmouth marquee event. Matt will join John to analyze several races from Saratoga including the prestigious G1 $500,000 Coaching Club American Oaks featuring the appearance of the undefeated Kentucky Oaks winner Malathaat.
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.”
