'Winning Ponies' welcomes back Robert Elliston and welcomes Blame's trainer Al Stall Jr.
November 18, 2010
Hosted by John Engelhardt
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Episode Description
Mr. Elliston has been president and CEO of Turfway Park since June 1999, shortly after the track was purchased by Keeneland Association, Harrah's Entertainment, and GTECH Corporation. An avid horse racing enthusiast his entire adult life, Mr. Elliston currently serves as executive chair of the National Thoroughbred Racing Association Board of Directors and is treasurer of the Kentucky Equine Education Project(KEEP)Board. He will cover the upcoming meet, and discuss issues in Kentucky. Al Stall Jr., (Blame's trainer) 49, has been involved with racing for most of his life. His father, Al Stall Sr., served on the Louisiana State Racing Commission for more than 25 years, including 18 as chairman. He also was a prominent horse owner and breeder.When Al Jr. was in high school at Newman, he would work with horses in the Fair Grounds barn of Frank Brothers, who trained Al Sr.’s horses and was the assistant in charge of trainer Jack Van Berg’s stable in New Orleans. When Al Jr. went on to LSU, he would work for Brothers at the Fair Grounds during Christmas holidays and at Louisiana Downs in the summer. "Frankie (Brothers)let me have a stall in his barn,” Stall said. “Then he let me have two stalls in his barn. I think I left Arlington with about six horses.” At the Fair Grounds for the 1991-92 meet, he had about 15 horses. His stable steadily grew. Now, he’s training more than 50 horses for several owners.
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.”
