'Winning Ponies' Welcomes Back Odds Maker and Just Retired Race Caller Mike Battaglia and DRF Handicapper Matt Bernier
March 2, 2017
Hosted by John Engelhardt
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Guest Information
Episode Description
Mike Battaglia Turfway associate vice president and Kentucky Derby oddsmaker, who last year retired from the Turfway announcer’s booth after 43 years, tells us what has kept him busy. He may make a cameo "Call" of the race dedicated to the memory of his father - The $100,000 John Battaglia Memorial Stakes at Turfway on Saturday. Mike will be joined by award-winning turf writer Jennie Rees in an educational handicapping seminar. Mike and John look at that field in a race that serves as a springboard to the Kentucky Derby Points race - the $500,000 Jack Spiral Stakes (G3) on March 25. Matt Bernier of the DRF will give his impressions of the early Derby Prep races up to this point and join John in looking at the four races in the "Championship Series" with points towards the Derby and Oaks: - the $400,000 Fountain of Youth S. (G2) and the $200,000 Davona Dale S. (G2) from Gulfstream; the $300,000 Gotham S. (G3) from Aqueduct and the $100,000 Santa Ysabel S. (G3) from Santa Anita.
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.”
