WP Welcomes Reporter Kevin Kilroy and Author T.D. Thornton
March 24, 2022
Hosted by John Engelhardt
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Guest Information
Episode Description
Kevin Kilroy has been our “boots on the ground” reporter from the Fair Grounds this season as he performs his duties unearthing gems on the backstretch to share with the media. He’s been a busy man this week as the Fair Grounds will play host to 8stakes races on Saturday – 4 of them graded. Kentucky Derby and Oaks hopefuls can garner plenty of points now that we have entered into the 100-40-20-10 points stratosphere. The $1million Grade 2 Twinspires.com Louisiana Derby is a race ripe for a new star to shine. Asmussen trained Epicenter has become the hometown hero. He closed ’21 with a win in the Gun Runner here and he has already recorded a head-bob defeat in the Grade 3 Lecomte and went wire to wire with an easy win last out in the Grade 2 Risen Star. Asmussen could pull a Oaks-Derby double as champion Echo Zulu makes her seasonal debut in the Grade 2, $400,000 event. Kevin Kilroy is the Publicity Specialist at Fair Grounds, working with Joe Kristufek doing racing analysis, notes writing, and social media. A two-time National Horseplayers Championship qualifier, he finished 21st in 2021. He specializes in trip handicapping, creative analysis, and finding reasons a horse will improve. His love of the sport began in Chicago at Hawthorne Race Course and Arlington Park. Prior to this, he taught for fifteen years, most recently at the Kansas City Art Institute. An author of three books, his novel The Chicago Window came out in 2020 from Spuyten Duyvil Books. Follow him on Twitter/Instagram@KilroyHorseFG. At this time of the season, T.D. Thornton gives out his observations on the top Kentucky Derby contenders each week in the Thoroughbred Daily News. There is not much in the world of racing that Thornton can’t speak pointedly about. He and John will discuss a myriad of topics leading up to Thornton’s latest Derby list. Here is how he describes himself and some of the books he has authored and positions he has held. "I'm a Boston-based writer who aspires to give a voice to dark, edgy characters lurking far beneath the radar of mainstream media. Gamblers, grifters, hustlers, prize fighters and racetrackers are among my most appealing characters, and I have a keen interest in writing about “low” subjects with a literary twist. My Adventures with Your Money: George Graham Rice and the Golden Age of the Con Artist details the flair and showmanship of America’s greatest swindler. His first book should be on every racing lover’s reading list. Not by a Long Shot—A Season at a Hard-Luck Horse Track, chronicled a year at a blue-collar racetrack. In 2008 Long Shot won the Dr. Tony Ryan Book Award and was named a "Highly Recommended" finalist for the Massachusetts Book Award.
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.”
