WP Welcomes HRN Writer Brian Zipse and DRF Mary Rampellini
April 8, 2021
Hosted by John Engelhardt
[Download MP3] [itunes] [Bookmark Episode]
Guest Information
Episode Description
The Editor of Horse Racing Nation from 2010-2017, Brian Zipse is now a Senior Writer for HRN, where he continues to contribute his thoughts on racing. He also hosts the popular weekly YouTube program HorseCenter. Brian is a voter for racing's Hall of Fame, as well as a weekly NTRA poll voter. You can also find him regularly on most of the social media platforms, including Facebook and Twitter. Based in Kentucky, Brian will join “The Regular Guy” to discuss his impressions of the Derby Preps thus far, then they will handicap the last minor points race (20-8-4-2) on the Saturday Program. They will also tackle the G1, $500,000 Jenny Wiley on the grass and the G3, $150,000 Ben Ali, a race that has been contested since 1917. Mary Rampellini is a correspondent and handicapper for Daily Racing Form. She began contributing to the publication in 1996. She is a native of Hartford, Connecticut, and grew up in a racing family. Her father, Ralph Rampellini, was the racing manager for Nelson Bunker Hunt in the 1980s and also broke a crop of 100 to 120 yearlings for him each year at Hunt's training center in North Texas. Ralph Rampellini later served as a racing manager and trainer for John Franks. Mary is currently based in Hot Springs, Ark., and Grand Prairie, Texas, covering Oaklawn Park and Lone Star Park as well as major stakes at other tracks in Louisiana, Texas, and Oklahoma. The G1, $1 Million Arkansas Derby is the last major Kentucky Derby points. At least the top two finishers will earn a berth in the starting gate on the First Saturday in May. Mary has been at Oaklawn Park for the entire season and she should be able to bring sharp insight to this marquee race in Hot Springs. Mary and John will also discuss the fine fields drawn to the rich G3, $500,000 Count Fleet and the $400,000 Oaklawn Mile.
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.”
