WP Welcomes Back Handicappers Ralph Siraco and Anthony Stabile
September 30, 2021
Hosted by John Engelhardt
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Guest Information
Episode Description
This will be a huge weekend for handicappers to start lining up their Breeders’ Cup selections. There will be 9 Breeders’ Cup “Win & You’re In” events from Friday through Monday contested at both ends of the map. We will be joined by two of the country's most experienced handicappers Ralph Siraco and Anthony Stabile. Ralph Siraco is a former track announcer who became a turf writer and broadcaster. He currently hosts the racing radio show "Race Day Las Vegas", broadcast on KSHP AM 1400 in Las Vegas. Ralph will cover several races from Santa Anita over Friday and Saturday. 2-year-olds will be featured first and the races are full of blue-blooded individuals with top connections. As usual, Bob Baffert's trainees will be front and center in both. At least three youngsters from his barn are set to make their mark in the G1, $300,000 American Pharoah, headed by his $1,500,000 baby Corniche. In the $200,000 G2 Chandelier, the white-haired wonder sends out two runners including Grace Alder, a smashing winner of the G1 Del Mar Debutante. Baffert is going to pass on the G1 Awesome Again with just one of his trainees, but he is sending out the first-place finisher of the Kentucky Derby. Laurel River won an allowance race at Del Mar so impressively in his two-turn debut earlier this month that Baffert initially entertained thoughts of running in the $300,000 Awesome Again on Saturday at Santa Anita, but upon further review Baffert said Tuesday. he would enter both Medina Spirit, the first-place finisher in the Kentucky Derby, and recent Del Mar allowance winner Azul Coast in the Awesome Again, a 1 1/8-mile race expected to include, among others, Tripoli and Tizamagician, the one-two finishers from last month’s Pacific Classic at Del Mar. The Awesome Again is a "Win and You’re In" for the Breeders’ Cup Classic Nov. 6 at Del Mar. Anthony “the Big A” Stabile was born at the racetrack. He is now a popular host on Horse Racing Radio Network and will be giving in us his insights into the important races from Belmont Park. Stakes winners Gunite and Wit are expected to take on flashy debut winners Jack Christopher and My Prankster in Saturday’s G1, $500,000 Champagne, a "Win and You’re In" race for the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile at Del Mar on Nov. 5. "Gunite, trained by Steve Asmussen, won the G1 Hopeful, defeating Wit by 5 3/4 lengths. Wit, who won the G3 Sanford by eight lengths on July 17, stumbled at the start of the Hopeful but made a sustained bid, finishing three lengths clear of the remainder of the field in second. Wit is trained by Todd Pletcher, who also trains My Prankster, a 10-length debut winner at Saratoga on Aug. 21 going 6 1/2 furlongs. Could there be an upset brewing in the Woodward? Code of Honor, a son of Noble Mission, enjoyed a terrific 3-year-old campaign and figures to be among the choices in a deep Woodward field that is expected to include Art Collector, By My Standards, Dr Post, Forza Di Oro and Maxfield.
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.”
