WP Welcomes Film Dir. Clint Bentley & University Dir. Sean Beirne
December 9, 2021
Hosted by John Engelhardt
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Guest Information
Episode Description
Our first guest will be Clint Bentley, the co-writer and director of “JOCKEY” which is scheduled for limited release at theatres over the Holiday Season. Filmmakers Bentley and GREG KWEDAR began their careers together in the early 2010s, having met after graduating from college and finding they had similar interests in telling stories. They began making shorts and documentaries, always having the goal of one day making narrative features together. Bentley’s father was a jockey. While he was born and raised in Florida, his father raced all over. “So I was raised behind the barns at horse tracks.” After his father’s passing, countless colleagues told Bentley stories of his dad’s career – how he had been kicked out of the house at age 17 and, with no money, became a jockey, living in barrack-like dorms on the backside of racetracks. Bentley himself recalled, while in college, helping his father, who by that time had become a trainer. “I remember, even then thinking, ‘This world of horse racing is so interesting, behind these barns. It was fascinating – and nothing like the way I had seen it ever portrayed in movies.” He took his creative partner, Kwedar, who knew nothing about horse racing, to a track in Houston. The two slept in a tack room, with all of the horse equipment, and spent time behind the barns. The little details began to come out – like the cheap coffee makers “full of some weird tar-like substance, that was like their homemade recipe for some way to win a race,”Kwedar laughs. And hearing the loudspeakers throughout the barns kick in as the sun rises, a morning prayer, walking to the rails on the track and hearing horses and jockeys, the whole place coming to life. “It’s just magic.” Kwedar saw what his colleague had in mind. “In that moment, I looked to Clint and said, ‘You’re absolutely right. This is a film. We have to do this.’ JOCKEY was filmed in 20 days, over four weeks from mid-October to mid-November 2019. Sean Beirne who is currently the Director of the Equine Industry Program at the University of Louisville will join us to discuss the success several of the program’s graduates who are making a name for themselves in the industry. Beirne is the right man for the position he holds as he has served in numerous positions in the world of racing.
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.”
