WP Welcomes Race Caller John G. Dooley and Blood-Horse Byron King
August 12, 2021
Hosted by John Engelhardt
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Guest Information
Episode Description
Saturday is being promoted as Arlington Million Day at the Chicago-area track, even though the race itself has a new name and a smaller purse. The day will feature three Grade 1 races: The Mister D. (formerly the Arlington Million, now with a $600,000 purse), the Beverly D. and the Bruce D. (formerly the Secretariat Stakes). Arlington Park, (now known as Arlington International Racecourse), has a storied history, Arlington was born in 1927, the same year that Charles Lindbergh made the first Transatlantic flight. Arlington has attracted millions of visitors over the years and has played host to royalty, famous entertainers, sports stars, and generations of families that shared special times at a special place. John G. Dooley was behind the microphone in 1981, when John Henry dug in in the final stride under the urging of Bill Shoemaker and amazingly out-nodded The Bart in the inaugural edition of the landmark $1 million dollar event. Dooley was in high school then, but he has been in the Arlington announcer's booth for every "Million" since 2000. John will share his memories of the legendary track and the great races he has had the opportunity to call. The "King of the Cappers" Byron King will leave his palatial estate in Louisville and turn his focus towards Arlington Heights, Illinois. Byron will join John to analyze the final Grade 1 races to be contested at Arlington International that is in its final season of racing. Name changes aside, they will look at the last Arlington Million (now $600,000). Chad Brown trainee Domestic Spending should be the clear favorite here. His wins this year in the Manhattan (G1) and Turf Classic (G1) followed a 5-month layoff after he won the Hollywood Derby (G1) in November.
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.”
