'Winning Ponies' welcomes jockeys Alex Solis and Rosie Napravnik
March 31, 2011
Hosted by John Engelhardt
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Episode Description
Alex O. Solis (born March 25, 1964 in Panama City, Panama) is a jockey based in the United States. He currently lives in Glendora, California and rides predominantly in Southern California. He got his big break and his first gained national prominence when he won the 1986 Preakness Stakes with Snow Chief. In 2002, he was inducted in the Calder Race Course Hall of Fame. Solis won two Breeders' Cup races in 2003 with Johar (who finished in a dead heat) in the Breeders' Cup Turf and aboard Pleasantly Perfect in the Classic, both trained by Richard Mandella. Also finished second aboard Mandella-trained Minister Eric in the Juvenile that year at Santa Anita Park. He ended the year ranked fourth nationally in purse earnings with a career-best $16,304,252. Alex Solis finished second in the Kentucky Derby three out of four years with Captain Bodgit in 1997, Victory Gallop in 1998 and Aptitude in 2000. Twenty-three-year-old sensation Rosie Napravnik concluded the 139th Thoroughbred Racing Season at Fair Grounds Race Course & Slots as the meet’s leading jockey with 110 wins, becoming the first woman to clinch a riding title at the New Orleans oval. Napravnik was honored in the winner’s circle following Race 7 on Sunday’s Closing Day program, one day after she made history as the first female to win the Louisiana Derby with an agile ride aboard Pants On Fire, who was named Fair Grounds’ Horse of the Meet. Napravnik won 13 stakes races on the season, topped by her biggest career victory in the city’s first $1 million race, the Louisiana Derby. “That was an unbelievable feeling,” she said. “You know, it wasn’t really expected. When I came across the wire I thought to myself, ‘Well, wait, this is the Derby, right? Did I just win the Derby?’” Napravnik, who finished 31 wins ahead of second-leading jockey Shaun Bridgmohan (79 wins), indicated she will ride next at Keeneland’s Spring Racing Season, April 8-29, before heading to Delaware Park, where she dominated the standings last year.
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.”
