'Winning Ponies' Welcomes Horse Trainer Wayne Catalano and Handicapper and Trainer Gary Johnson
February 23, 2017
Hosted by John Engelhardt
[Download MP3] [itunes] [Bookmark Episode]
Guest Information
Episode Description
Wayne "The Cat" Catalano started out on the backstretch of the Fair Grounds working for Hall of Fame trainer Jack Van Berg. He went on to a successful career as a jockey and transferred his skills as a horseman to that of one of the country's most successful trainers. Catalano has two horses in the top 10 points standings for both the Ky Derby (Uncontested) and Ky Oaks (Farrell). On Saturday he will send Farrell to the post in the Grade 2 Rachel Alexandra at the Fair Grounds. Gary Johnson has been on a 10-year run competing successfully in national handicapping contests, but the lure of the backstretch has drawn him out of the clubhouse and back to the morning grind of training. Dealing mostly with claimers, he was the leading trainer at Thistledown for 7 years in a row. Gary and John will 'cap the $400,000 Risen Star S. (G2 - Derby points) and the $200,000 Rachel Alexandra S. (G2 - Oaks points) both at Fair Grounds and the $150,000 Busher S. (Oaks points) at Aqueduct.
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.”
