WP Welcomes Back TVG Host Nancy Ury-Holthus and HRN Brian Zipse
February 24, 2022
Hosted by John Engelhardt
[Download MP3] [itunes] [Bookmark Episode]
Guest Information
Episode Description
A native of Hot Springs, Ark., Nancy Ury-Holthus joined the broadcast team at Indiana Grand in 2014 as the on-air paddock analyst. She has served in that capacity for more than a decade, including a position as host and handicapper for TVG. She currently works as the on-air racing analyst and media coordinator at Oaklawn Park in Arkansas during the winter months. That pristine track in Hot Springs plays host on Saturday to two major Kentucky Derby and Oaks points races and Nancy will give us her “boots on the ground” insights. A $1 million purse and Derby Dreams has drawn a field of eleven 3-year-olds into the gate for the Rebel Stakes (G2). Trainer Bob Baffert has won this race eight times, including the last two with Concert Tour (2021) and Nadal (2020). The white-haired wonder appears to be holding all the cards once again as he comes into the race with the undefeated Newgrange. Derby points be damned, he’s running to collect the winner’s $600,000. The $300,000 Honeybee (G3) attracted a field that seems to have no clear favorite. A fan favorite will be D. Wayne Lukas-trained Secret Oath. Lukas won the first four runnings of this race from ’88-’91 and accounted for another score in 2007. Secret Oath has shown quite a fondness for the Oaklawn oval. She won with authority by 8 ¼ in her regional bow and followed that with a 7 ¼ victory in the $200,000 Martha Washington at the 1 1/16th mile Honeybee distance. Ury-Holthus’ background in racing is very extensive, as she has also served in several key capacities at racetracks, including stall superintendent for 10 years at Hollywood Park as well as racing office positions at Arlington Park. She has also served as part of the former broadcast team at Arlington Park for the Illinois Derby in its final years. Brian Zipse has been a frequent guest on the show. Formerly the Managing Editor of HorseRacing Nation, the fastest growing racing news site on the Internet, Brian also is the co-host with Matt Shifman of the weekly podcast “Horsecenter” on YouTube. Brian has been following the field for the $20 million Saudi Cup that will feature the newly-crowned 2021 Kentucky Derby winner Mandaloun. The now 4-year-old Mandaloun and Midnight Bourbon are expected to meet again here after finishing 1-2 in the Louisiana (G3) last out. Ireland-bred Mishriff won last year's edition and would become the highest-earning racehorse of all time with another win. He finished fourth last out in the Champion Stakes (G1), which was won by Sealiway, also expected here. Marche Lorraine returns here after her upset win in the Breeders' Cup Distaff. Mishriff landed in the extreme outside gate 14 at Wednesday's post position draw for the $20-million world's richest race. Juddmonte's Mandaloun, who won the Louisiana S. (G3) on Jan. 22, drew gate 6. He also won last year's Haskell Invitational S. (G1) through the disqualification of Hot Rod Charlie due to interference, and thus Mandaloun looks to hit the wire first.
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.”
