WP Hosts National Turf Writer Gary West & HorseTourney Eric Wing
March 17, 2022
Hosted by John Engelhardt
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Guest Information
Episode Description
National Turf writer Gary West will be joining us in the first segment. He recently penned an article about the growth of the racing and breeding program in his current home state in the Lonestar State. Through his years of writing about racing, he has always kept an eye on Kentucky Derby hopefuls and we will have him weigh in on this year's top contenders. We will also ask Gary about the ‘Baffert Boondoggle” created by his participation in the Derby points races and what the future path of his stable may be. HorseTourney’s Eric Wing will join us to share his experiences at the National Handicapping Championship in Las Vegas this year. He will also update us on this week’s Handicapping Contests offered (a great opportunity for finding hidden winners with our E-Z Win Forms.) Eric and John will join forces to find the contenders and pretenders in two graded stakes at Oaklawn Park. First up in the newly named $200,000 Whitmore, named for the local legend himself. Appropriately, the top contenders have a fondness for the Hot Springs oval headed by recent winner of the $150,000 King Cotton Stakes at the 6-panel distance – Bob’s Edge. The $500,000 Essex at 1 1/16 miles brought together a highly competitive field, and a local hopeful heads the field. Brad Cox-trainee Plainsman made his seasonal debut in the Grade 3 Razorback and proved he was ready to roll with a determined neck victory. “Horse for Course?” Plainsman has a 10-3-2-1 record at Oaklawn and has walked away with $521,992.
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.”
