'Winning Ponies' welcomes retired jockey Pat Cooksey
August 26, 2010
Hosted by John Engelhardt
[Download MP3] [itunes] [Bookmark Episode]
Episode Description
Patricia (also known as Patti or "P.J.") Joen Cooksey (born February 25, 1958 in Youngstown, Ohio) is an American horse racing jockey. She first won with Turf Advisor at Waterford Park (now Mountaineer Park) in 1979. She is a four-time Turfway Park leading rider. Cooksey has won 2,137 wins since beginning her career in 1979. She was the all-time leading female jockey by number of victories before Julie Krone overtook her. In 2004, she became the first ever female jockey to be voted the NYRA's Mike Venezia Memorial Award, an honor given annually to a jockey who exemplifies extraordinary sportsmanship and citizenship. Patricia now lives in Louisville, Kentucky with her daughter, Chelsea Neal. She is retired from racing and currently works for the Kentucky Racing Commission. In 2006, she was a horse-back riding reporter for ESPN's coverage of the 2006 Breeders Cup. Our host will also go over the 141st running of the Travers Stakes to be run this Saturday, August 28, at Saratoga. Dating back to 1864, this one-and-a-quarter-mile "Midsummer Derby" for three year olds, a Grade 1 event, is the oldest major thoroughbred race in America -- not to mention one of the biggest events at Saratoga Springs. Other Featured Races: • King’s Bishop (G1) $250,000 • The Ballerina (G1) $180,000
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.”