'Winning Ponies' Presents DRF Executive Columnist Jay Hovdey, Trainer Doug O'Neill and Jockey Agent Billy Johnson
December 19, 2013
Hosted by John Engelhardt
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Guest Information
Episode Description
As the curtain falls on Hollywood Park, we will have two guests that have an intimate relationship with the track that will close its doors after 75 years Sunday. Daily Racing Form's executive columnist Jay Hovdey who started going to the races at Hollywood Park with his father in 1964, will share his many memories of the great horses he has witnessed run there over the years. Our second guest will be Kentucky Derby winning trainer Doug O'Neil who campaigned "the world's greatest claimer" - Lava Man, who went on to win the Hollywood Gold Cup three times. He will also update us on plans for his Breeders' Cup winner Goldenscents, who plans a 4-year-old career at the races. Our handicapper will be Billy Johnson, who certainly knows how to pick a winner. As a jockey agent, he currently has the top 2 riders at Mountaineer Park including two-time national champion DeShawn Parker. In a weekend void of any major races, we will be getting the inside track on several races at Moutaineer.
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.”
