WP Welcomes HRN Writer Eric Mitchell and Handicapper Matt Shifman
February 17, 2022
Hosted by John Engelhardt
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Guest Information
Episode Description
The National Thoroughbred Racing Association, Daily Racing Form, and the National Turf Writers and Broadcasters announced Jan. 6 the winners of the 2021 Media Eclipse Awards in six categories. One recipient is BloodHorse's Eric Mitchell. In "Tracks Join Rallying Cry to End Cargo Shipping," Eric Mitchell investigated the deplorable conditions of racehorses shipped by boat in steel container boxes from the United States to Puerto Rico, and the response of American racetracks to this much-criticized practice. The article was published on Aug. 24, 2021. Eric will join John to share with us the many paths he had to take to create his Eclipse-Award winning story and give us any updates on the practice of this shipping. Matt Shifman has been a devoted fan of thoroughbred racing and handicapping since childhood, going to the races with his father at Aqueduct, Belmont Park, and Monmouth Park from their home in Central New Jersey. Since 2011, Matt has been the New York and Monmouth Park Correspondent at Horse Racing Nation where he is currently a Senior Writer. He also co-hosts the popular weekly video show Horse Center with Brian Zipze, which can be seen on YouTube. The Fair Grounds will feature no less than five stakes in their full 13-race Saturday card. Matt and John will analyze several of the stakes including both of the “Points” races for the Kentucky Derby and Oaks. The points system bumps up a level in the scoring as the races are worth 50-20-10-5. The $400,000 G2 Risen Star for the boys has brought together a field of ten colts that have Derby Dreams stretching out to 1 1/8 miles. Early attention is going to the Ken McPeek trained Smile Happy, who was last seen winning the G2 Kentucky Jockey Club at Churchill Downs on November 27. Trainer Chad Brown brings the highly regarded Zandon to New Orleans. In the G2 Remsen at Aqueduct, he lost by a head-bob after a strong stretch duel at the 1 1/8 distance. A field of eleven fillies will match strides at 1 1/16 in the G2 $300,000 Rachel Alexandra. Their resumes boast 4 stakes winners, 3 graded stakes winners and 3 that were graded stakes-placed. The connections of Dream Lith are hoping to return to Churchill Downs where she captured the G2 Golden Rod in her last outing. The mystery filly is Brad Cox trained Turnerloose who has never started over a dirt oval, while earning $351,300 from two wins, including the $500,000 Juvenile Fillies at Kentucky Downs. You can follow Matt Shifman on Twitter@AndyScoggin. Matt is also a voter for the weekly NTRA Top Thoroughbred Poll and a partner in the NY Hot List which provides handicapping services to ADWs around the country. Matt Shifman was recently named the winner of the 2021 Bill Handleman Award for outstanding coverage of the Haskell 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.”
