'Winning Ponies' welcomes Hall of Fame trainer Allen Jerkens.
February 18, 2010
Hosted by John Engelhardt
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Guest Information
Episode Description
Nicknamed “Giant Killer” (which he does not like) for the many upsets of champion horses Mr. Jerkens has orchestrated, and “Chief” for his remarkable horsemanship and knowledge. His given name is Harry. Mr. Jerkens has been involved with horses his entire life. His father, Joseph, was a captain in the Austrian cavalry before emigrating to the United States. Mr. Jerkens was going to the barn with his father, who took care of H.T. Peters' polo ponies, hunters and jumpers, when he was a pre-schooler. Later his father bought a riding academy and would always fool around with an old racehorse. Mr. Jerkens wanted to be a jockey but grew too big. During the summer of 1945, at the age of 16, he galloped horses for trainer Steve Lawler at the old Aqueduct Racetrack. The following year, Mr. Jerkens tried steeplechase riding on horses his family owned. He did not return to school after he turned 16. He and his father went into business together at Aqueduct. The Jerkenses started with five horses, some of which they acquired in a sheriff’s sale. Mr. Jerkens got his license in 1950 at the age of 21. An owner named Larry Gottlieb offered him some horses to train. Joseph Jerkens died in 1951. His first winner was Populace at Aqueduct on July 4, 1950. In 1975 at the age of 45, Mr. Jerkens became the youngest trainer elected to the Hall of Fame of the National Museum of Racing.
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.”
