Winning Ponies

Horse Racing Radio Network broadcasting team of Mike Penna who is the President and Jude Feld who won an Eclipse Award as part of the Horse Racing Radio Network broadcasting team for their coverage of the 2010 Breeders’ Cup Classic, will talk about this year's Breeders' Cup. Jude Feld will layout in detail their on-air schedule leading to the Cup while Mike Penna will talk about his impressions of the best prep races and the HRRN schedule leading up to the Breeders' Cup. As time allows the races we will look at will be the 150,000 Pin Oak Valley View S. -G3- -Friday- and the 250,000 Lexus Raven Run -G3- from Keeneland: the 300,000 Empire Classic S. at Belmont and the 250,000 Cup and Saucer S. at Woodbine.

Evan Hammonds of the Blood-Horse will be our 1st guest. We will take a look at all of the major races that have taken place over the past few weeks that will lead to a berth in the many divisional Breeders' Cup races. In the past Jody Evans has been a semi regular on the old Regular Guy Handicapping Show with John Engelhardt at River Downs and spent a season giving his selections out on the River Downs web site where his top selection won nearly 40 percent of time. This past year Jody reunited with John Engelhardt to handicap the Saturday Afternoon card at Beltera Park. Currently he follows the New York circuit as well as the Gulfstream Park Championship meet, Keeneland, the major stakes days, and of course Beltera Park. We will be 'capping from Keeneland -Fri- the 100,000 Buffalo Trace Franklin County S. -Grade 3- and -Sat- the 500,000 Queen Elizabeth II Challenge Cup S. -Grade 1: and from Belmont Park the 200,000 Futurity S. -Grade 3- and the 200,000 Pebbles S.

It is time for another 'Super Saturday' and a bevy of Breeders' Cup 'Win and You're In' races. At Belmont Park they will contest 3 grade 1 stakes: the 1,000,000 Jockey Club Gold Cup: the 500,000 Champagne Stakes and the 500,000 Flower Bowl along with additional quality stakes races. For the Belmont races we will be joined by one of the top handicappers in the country Dave Litfin. Keeneland opens this week and has an exceptional program Friday and Saturday. The Friday feature is the 400,000 Gr. 1 Darley Alcibiades Stakes and Saturday's Fall Stars All Stars day offers the 1,000,000 Gr. 1 Shadwell Turf Mile: the 500,000 Gr. 1 Claiborne Farm Breeders' Futurity: the 250,000 Gr. 2 Thoroughbred Club of America Stakes and an appearance by 'The Queen of the Turf'- Tepin, in the 400,000 Gr. 1 First Lady Stakes. Veteran Handicapper and Kentucky resident Frank Angst from the Blood-Horse will be covering the Keeneland races.

With the Breeders' Cup on the horizon, we gathered on this show an East and West Coast Commentators. Eric Wing is currently Communications Director for HorseTourneys.com, horse racing's number 1 destination for player-friendly qualifying contests. Eric will be our East Coast Commentator surveying the East coast talent. He will also join John in 'capping from Belmont Park: the 500,000 dollar Joe Hirsch Turf Classic S. -G1-: the 400,000 dollar Beldame S. -G1- and the 350,000 dollar Vosburgh S. -G1-. The Champions California Chrome and Beholder return to the races at Santa Anita on the road to the Breeders' Cup highlighting an outstanding Saturday card at Santa Anita. The Blood-Horse's Jeremy Balan has been covering all of the action and will be sharing his insights on the West Coast talent. He will 'cap the following: the 300,000 dollar Chandelier S. -G1-: the 300,000 dollar Frontrunner S. -G1-: the 300,000 dollar Zenyatta S. -G1-: the 300,000 dollar Awesome Again S. -G1- and the 300,000 dollar Rodeo Dr

In recent weeks Winningponies has brought to light trainers who have been 'flying under the radar' for several years and now are winning graded stakes races like Pat Dupuy and Tommy Drury. This week we feature another 'trainer to watch' with Bill Denzik. On Saturday night in the 350,000 dollar Charles Town Oaks -G3-, his filly Covey Trace provided her trainer’s small stable and her jockey Arnaldo Bocachica with the first graded stakes wins of their careers. Bill will be on to talk about his stable star. Award winning writer and accomplished handicapper Tom LaMarra, long-time news editor of the Blood-Horse, is taking his talents to the Mid-Atlantic region to help promote the horsemen of the region. John and Tom will focus on the outstanding card at Parx - highlighted by the 1,250,000 dollar Pennsylvania Derby -G2- featuring a rematch between Nyquist and Exagerrator. Champion Songbird will also compete in the 1,000,000 dollar Cotillion -G1- as her most likely start before the Breeders' Cup.

I attended the world's most legendary Yearling Sale on Monday - the Book 1 Keeneland September Sale. It was a collection of the best bred horses surrounded by the world's leading owners and trainers. DRF Breeding columnist Joe Nevills was in attendance and will give his observations of trends in the sale that will impact racing and the breed for years to come. Handicapper, odds maker, track announcer and former host of Winningponies Ed Meyer will be going north of the border for two Grade 1 stakes at Woodbine - -one featuring the amazing Tepin.- The first 'Win and You're In' stakes for 2-year-olds takes place in the 150,000 dollar Iroquois -G3- at Churchill Downs on their opening week. From Woodbine the 1,000,000 dollar Ricoh Woodbine Mile -G1- for 3 Year Olds and Up on turf and the 300,000 dollar Northern Dancer Turf Presented by HPIBet -G1- for 3 Year Olds and Up on the turf. From Charles Town the 350,000 dollar Charles Town Oaks -G3- for 3 Year Olds at 7 Furlongs on the dirt

What is being called the first international horse racing convention and trade show has been scheduled for August 2017 in Saratoga Springs, N.Y. 'Equestricon' is designed to bring together racing fans, horse players, and stakeholders throughout the sport in an atmosphere of non-stop entertainment and lively discussion, organizers said in a release. The event, scheduled for Aug. 13-15, will be held at the Saratoga Springs City Center. Dan Tordjman, as co-founder of Equestricon and a correspondent for America's Best Racing will share his thoughts about this new venture. Gary West has been on the show numerous times. He is currently serving as part of the on-air team at the unique Kentucky Downs meet. There is a big handicapping contest there on Saturday offering guaranteed NHC seats to the top three finishers, and we will analyze the Gr. 3 600,000 dollar Calumet Farm Kentucky Turf Cup: the 400,000 dollars More Than Ready Mile and the 350,000 Ky. Downs Ladies Sprint Stakes.

Our first guest is Alan Sherman half of the father and son team that forms Sherman Racing Stables with his father Art. They have come to national prominence through the historic achievements of North America’s leading money-winning thoroughbred California Chrome. We will be discussing Alan’s early years as the son of a jockey, his entrance into the training game and lessons learned through his partnership with his father. We will also look at the development of California Chrome, his unique racing history, recent Pacific Classic front-running victory and plans for the road to the Breeders’ Cup Classic. Our guest handicapper is DRF’s popular Matt Bernier – host of the weekly Matt Bernier Show on DRF.com. Didn’t want to go through the outstanding summer of 2016 without getting his views on the Saratoga Meet, Travers Stakes and analysis of this Saturday’s Gr. 1 600,000 dollar Woodward Stakes: Gr. 1 350,00 dollar Spinaway and the Gr. 3 300,000 dollar Saranac on the grass.

Robert Forbeck has been a lifelong fan of thoroughbred racing. DRF has hired him for the newly created position of National Advertising Director. He will discuss his career path in racing and join John in analyzing the races from Saratoga that will take place prior to the Travers Stakes : the 1 million dollar Sword Dancer S. -G1: the 750,000 dollar Personal Ensign -G1: the Ballerina S. -G1- and the 700,000 dollar Forego S. -G1. Retiring Hall of Fame DRF executive and columnist Steven Crist will reflect over his career of over 35 years in one function or another involving thoroughbred racing. 'I’m fortunate to have spent my career in and around the greatest game ever invented,' said Crist, 59, 'and to have worked with so many talented colleagues at DRF for the betterment of the game and its customers. I’m really looking forward to doing some other things in retirement, but my heart won’t be far from the racetrack.' He will analyse for us the 'Midsummer Derby' the 1.25 million Dollar Travers Stakes.

First guest is Hall of Fame Jockey Chris McCarron who just won the Lafitt Pincay Jr. Award and will receive the honor in ceremonies at Del Mar Aug. 21. For the first time, the Pincay Award will be part of a special relationship with one of racing's most important charities—the Winners Foundation, which for more than 30 years has aided those in racing adversely affected by substance abuse and-or mental health issues. He will be talking to us from Del Mar. He was a hero of mine, but since he moved to Lexington we have become friends. Rich Eng will be our guest handicapper. We go back to the days when he was the Director of Publicity at Turfway Park and he would bring me in as part of the Press Team for the Spiral Stakes. Del Mar is in the spotlight this Saturday. The 1,000,000 dollars Pacific Classic -G1-has drawn an exceptional field headed by Champions California Chrome and Beholder. Also on the card are the 300,000 dollars Del Mar Oaks -G1- and the 250,000 dollars -G2- Del Mar Handicap..

Our 1st guest Pat Dupuy is a trainer who has been flying under the radar for years. He won his 1st graded Stakes race this season and just took the $100,000 Secretary of State Stakes on Saturday at Mountaineer with I'm A Looker. A New Orleans native, his father was a jockey and he employs a hotwalker who is one of the most accomplished people in racing - his wife, four-time Eclipse Award winning writer Jennie Rees. Michael Spector is a horse racing writer currently covering the Saratoga meet for RacingDudes.com. He has written for various horse racing websites for the past 2 years including Danonymous Racing, In The Winners' Circle and recently his articles have appeared on the Paulick Report. He will talk about the start of the Saratoga meet (including reflections on Songbird & Frosted), and will cover the $400,000 Grade 1 Fourstardave Stakes, the $200,000 Grade 2 Adirondack Stakes and the $200,000 Grade 2 Saratoga Special Stakes.

Known mostly for his years in the announcer's booth at the Fair Grounds in New Orleans, Longtime race caller Tony Bentley will take the mike in the announcer's booth at Suffolk Downs when live racing returns to the East Boston, Mass., racetrack Aug. 6-7. Brian Zipse will be our guest handicapper. Brian and John will reflect on some of the big upsets from last week and highlight the major contenders in major races this weekend. They will preview the Grade 1 $1,250,000 Whitney and Grade 1 $500,000 Test Stakes from Saratoga and the Grade 2 $750,000 West Virginia Derby.

Pete Aiello is our 1st guest. When we last spoke to him he had secured the high profile job of track announcer at Oaklawn Park. The news broke last week that Pete was leaving that position to take the place of Larry Collumus who vacated his post at the premiere meet at Gulfstream Park. In addition to numerous graded stakes races, Pete will now be calling the world's richest race when Gulfstream premieres the 12 million Pegasus Stakes in January. Our 2nd guest is DRF.com handicapping editor Dan Illman. He will talk about the continued success of California Chrome, the amazing Songbird - who refused to be buried at the 'Graveyard of Champions' and then examine the top contenders in the 600,000 Jim Dandy G2: the 350,000 Alfred G. Vanderbilt G1 and the 250,000 Bowling Green Hcp G2.

In June of 2016, Claiborne Farm has removed horses from the care of Al Stall, Jr., and distributed them to various trainers. Multiple graded stakes winner Departing, was transferred to the barn of Tom Drury. In his first start for Drury, Departing stormed home a two-length winner of the $100,000 Michael G. Schaefer Memorial Stakes on the Indiana Derby under-card. Tom will tell how it felt to win that race with Departing for Claiborne Farms and give us an insight into his operation. With Saratoga opening it's doors on Friday, Tom Law who teams up with the Clancy Brothers to publish the Saratoga Special, will join John Engelhardt in handicapping the opening day stake the $150,000 Schulerville (G3) for 2-year-old, a historic race that has launched the career of many outstanding fillies. The $150,000 Sanford Stakes (G3) on Saturday carries as much significance in racing with winners such as Upset that defeated Man o' War in 1919. Also on Saturday the $500,000 Diana Stakes (G1).

A big day of racing this Saturday at Indiana Grand Racecourse, with the $500,000 Indiana Derby (G2) and the $200,000 Indiana Oaks (G2) on tap, we invited William 'Buff' Bradley to discuss his career and his late father Fred's influence, Brass Hat's second career and the quirky The Player, who will run in the Indiana Derby. The 'Saratoga Tournament' is now offered as two separate one-day events instead of a two-day affair, and will take place Wednesday, Aug. 10, and Thursday, Aug. 11. Michael Beychok won’t have to buy his entry to the 2016 Saratoga Tournament, which was formally announced last week by the NYRA. Beychok has won two entries Saturday courtesy of DRF Tournaments. Michael Beychok will comment on the new format of the tournament and join John Engelhardt in 'capping the $750,000 Delaware Handicap (G1); the $300,000 Yellow Ribbon Handicap.(G2) at Del Mar and two Grade 2 races from Indiana Downs - the $500,000 Indiana Derby and $200,000 Indiana Oaks.

The Jockeys' Guild and Kentucky tracks hope to take a big step forward this year in rider concussion protocol. Speaking at the Welfare and Safety of the Racehorse Summit June 28 at Keeneland, Dr. Carl Mattacola, professor of athletic training & rehabilitation sciences at the University of Kentucky, outlined plans for the concussion protocol pilot study to be conducted in Kentucky. The Guild and the Universtiy of Kentucky hope to have a point person hired soon who will oversee the program, set for a three-year pilot study. Dr. Mattacola will give us an insight into this study. This week we are going to Dash For Cash with the Quarter Horses. Delta Downs is closing out its meet with an amazing card that includes 8 stakes races. We'll be bringing on Quarter Horse expert handicapper Don Stevens and analyze the top three events of Saturday evening - the $690,295 Lee Berwick Futurity (RG 1); the $150,000 Delta Downs Derby (RG 3) and the $100,000 Louisiana Classic (RG 2).

John Hancock is a third generation horseman who has been at Ellis Park for 49 years. This week racing returns to Ellis Park in Henderson, Kentucky. Hancock will discuss the changes he has seen at the “Pea Patch” over the decades and perhaps an update on his highly-regarded filly Whole Scoop who is scheduled to compete in the Grade 3, $100,000 Debutante at Churchill Downs on Saturday. Jude Feld began his horse racing career in 1978, making charts for the Daily Racing Form at Ellis Park in Henderson, Kentucky. The 157th running of the $1 million Queen’s Plate is Sunday, and as many as 15 could make a run at the first jewel of the Canadian Triple Crown. Feld will be covering the prestigious race for HRRN. He will join John Engelhardt for a mix of challenging races to handicap over the holiday weekend including the $250,000 Grade 3 Iowa Derby from Prairie Meadows, the $300,000 Grade 1 Mother Goose at Belmont Park and Churchill’s $100,000 Debutante for 2-year-old fillies.

The widely popular website The Paulick Report is celebrating it's 8th anniversary this June. The site has a new look and founder Ray Paulick will be with us to discuss its growth in readership and address important stories and issues in the world of racing. The richest race in the Buckeye State - the $500,000 Ohio Derby takes place on Saturday and popular track handicapper Rich Ruda will join the show to look at the Derby and other significant races on the undercard. He will also join John to analyze the top two races at Santa Anita - the $500,000 Grade 1 Gold Cup and the $300,000 Grade 1 Triple Bend Stakes.

Joe Drape is a reporter for The New York Times who has covered thoroughbred racing for nearly two decades. He is a two-time Eclipse Award winner for outstanding coverage of horse racing. His book, Black Maestro: The Epic Life of an American Legend, is a biography of Jimmy Winkfield, the last African American jockey to win the Kentucky Derby. He will give us a glimpse of his writing career and delve a little into his latest book. Our seond guest is 28-year-old Gary Palmisano who was born in New Orleans and is the son of long time Louisiana based trainer Gary Palmisano Sr. He attended the University of Louisville, where he obtained degrees in Equine Business and Marketing. He is currently the VIP Player Services Manager for Churchill Downs Race Track and Twinspires.com. We will handicap the $500,000 Gr. 1 Stephen Foster Hcp; the $200,000 Gr. 2 Summertime Oaks; the 200,000 Gr. 2 Wise Dan Stk and if time allows the $100,000 Gr. 3 Regret and Matt Winn Stks, all at Churchill.

Claire Novak has been covering all three legs of the Triple Crown with Boots on the Ground. She has been at Belmont Park this week and will give us her observations of the contenders, current updates and her analysis of the Test of Champions. br DRF's Marty McGee is our guest handicapper. He won his Eclipse Award for a story on the Desormeux brothers, so his appearance is very timely considering the Desormeaux (Kent and Keith) involvement with Exaggerator, the logical favorite in this the last leg of the Triple Crown. He will discuss Kent's current status with fighting alcoholism and will address with John, in addition to the Belmont Stakes, several of the sensational graded stakes races that will dominate the Belmont Stakes Day Program, including the $1,250,000 Grade 1 Metropolitan Handicap; the $1,000,000 Grade 1 Manhattan Stakes; and the $1,000,000 Grade 1 Ogden Phipps Stakes.