Labor Day Weekend Preview with Ken Kirchner and G. D. Hieronymus
September 2, 2021
Hosted by John Engelhardt
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Guest Information
Episode Description
Ken Kirchner's experience in thoroughbred racing is extensive and he is now serving as Kentucky Downs' Director of Wagering Development. The all-grass FanDuel Meet at Kentucky Downs runs this Sunday, Labor Day Monday and Sept.8, 9, 11 and 12. First post is 12:20 p.m. Central. Ken will point out the numerous opportunities for you to put your E-Z Win Forms to use; and he is a man who knows what he is talking about. He was the founding member and manager of the NTRA National Handicapping Championship, the country's largest handicapping contest 1999-2007; Founded NHC Qualify.com - the industry's first online handicapping tourney site 2006-2015 and Created Breeders' Cup Betting Challenge, the country's biggest live money contest 2009-2015. He has held key positions with the Pennsylvania Racing Commission, Daily Racing Form and Breeders' Cup. "One of the highlights for handicappers and for fans at Kentucky Downs is that you get this amalgamation of horses from different racing circuits around the country that you normally only get at a meet like the Breeders' Cup," said Ken. When you have more than $2 million a day in purses, not only are your stakes races this mix of New York, Kentucky, Florida, California and other horses, you have that in the maiden and allowance races across the board. It's just a fascinating exercise for the handicapper to say, "Gosh, I can find great value every single race of this meet." Keeneland's longtime director of broadcast services G. D. Hieronymus has stepped away from his duties after winning numerous awards for his outstanding presentation of the iconic track's racing and sales. While away from the track, G.D. did not step away from his love of handicapping and recently finished third in the celebrity portion of the National Handicapping Championship. Since he is used to analyzing quality cards, we are asking him to move those talents to the Saratoga program on Saturday of this Labor Day weekend. So he will join John to handicap two Breeders' Cup "Win -and-You're- In" races - the Gr. 1 $1,000,000 Jockey Club Gold Cup and the Gr. 1 $600,000 Flower Bowl. They will also tackle the highly competitive Gr. 2 Prioress for 3-year-old fillies that has seen the likes of racing standouts Primonetta, Ta Wee, Numbered Account, Tempest Queen, Safely Kept and Xtra Heat add this prestigious race to their resumes.
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.”
