'Winning Ponies' Welcomes President of Horseplayers Association of North America Jeff Platt and 2012 DRF/NTRA Handicapper of the Year Michael Beychok
April 23, 2015
Hosted by John Engelhardt
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Guest Information
Episode Description
Jeff Platt is the President of Horseplayers Association of North America H.A.N.A. which is a grass roots Non Profit organization made up of horseplayers just like you. Simply put, they are not happy with track management and horsemen's groups and what they are doing to the sport instead of promoting its awareness and growing handle, they have become bogged down with industry infighting and have completely forgotten something: The importance of the customer. Jeff will tell us more about what his organization is all about, his background and what his role and duties are. We are then going coast to coast with one of the country's top handicappers Michael Beychok 2012 DRF/NTRA handicapper of the year. We will take a close look at the top Kentucky Derby candidates and handicap a trio of Grade 3 stakes races - the $200,000 Excelsior Stakes from Aqueduct; the $100,000 Miami Mile Handicap at Gulfstream and the $100,000 Santa Anita's Last Tycoon Stakes.
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.”