Winning Ponies

Linda Dougherty has been covering thoroughbred racing in New Jersey for more than two decades, writing for the Daily Racing Form, the Blood-Horse, The Trentonian, Mi-Atlantic Thoroughbred, The Horse of Delaware Valley and The Racing Biz.com. A New Jersey native, Dougherty is a longtime member of the National Turf Writers and Broadcasters Association and has owned and bred thoroughbreds. br She is now the author of “The Golden Age of New Jersey Horse Racing” and will be discussing the long and colorful history of the sport in the Garden State. br The best racing this weekend will take place at Santa Anita on Saturday with two Grade 1's : the $400,000 Vanity Mile on the dirt and the $400,000 Shoemaker Mile on the turf. Who better to analyze these races than the Daily Racing Form's west coast correspondent Jay Privman. br Jay will also weigh in on the Triple Crown races and the exciting returns of California-based champions - Beholder, Songbird and California Chrome.

As Director for the Race Track Industry Program (RTIP), Reed is responsible for the coordination, administration, promotion and fund raising for the RTIP. His teaching duties include Organization and Administration of the Racing Department, Race Track Organization, Structure and Financial Management, Racing Business Strategies & Global Perspective and Senior Capstone: Current Issues in the Animal Racing Industry. He will tell us a little about his background and how he got involved with horse racing in the first place. br With the second Jewel of the Triple Crown behind us, Woodbine has scheduled to run the $200,000 Grade 2 Eclipse Stakes. The Windy City will kick off Memorial Day Weekend with several stakes including the $100,000 Grade 3 Arlington Classic on the Turf and the $100,000 Grade 3 Hanshin Cup. Joining us to discuss the Kentucky Derby and Preakness, in addition to handicapping those races, will be News Editor of the Blood-Horse Tom LaMarra.

Louise Osmond is the Award winning director of Dark Horse, a documentary depicting the joys of horse ownership. If someone in a bar—no doubt wearing a hat and smoking a cigar—told you the story of Dream Alliance, you'd probably hear them out for entertainment value and then question why real-life doesn't work out that way. But in this case, the story of Dream Alliance most assuredly is true, and a bar in Wales where you might hear stories that typically stretch the truth plays a central role. br The story of steeplechase Thoroughbred Dream Alliance is depicted in the new documentary, Dark Horse, The Incredible True Story of Dream Alliance. br Tom Law will be on the grounds at Pimlico and will give us a first-hand account of the happenings and hot horses leading up to the second Jewel of the Triple Crown. In addition to the Preakness Stakes we will be 'capping the Pimlico Special and Black-Eyed Susan.

Frank Angst on the Blood-Horse has been covering the weeks leading up to the Kentucky Derby and Oaks from workouts to the walkover. He'll share his observations, analyze both races and take a look forward to the upcoming Preakness Stakes. br DRF's Matt Bernier is one of the sharpest handicappers on the national scene. He'll weigh in on Derby 142 and the potential for another Triple Crown winner. There are some great stakes races on his home court at Belmont Park with the Gr.1 $400,000 Man O' War on the turf; the Gr. 2 $250,000 Ruffian and the Gr. 2 $200,000 Peter Pan - a race that has produced Belmont winners Gallant Man Coastal and A.P. Indy.

With the Kentucky Derby and Oaks this weekend at Churchill, we are bringing together a trifecta of popular handicappers to get their views on both events. br Daily Racing Form's Dan Illman will take the first leg, followed by writer and handicapper Bob Railbird Roberts and rounded out by the popular Belterra's odds maker and race caller Ed Meyer. br They will give us their impressions, first hand accounts of workouts and analysis of the contenders in both Grade 1 races.

A part of the Taylor Made team since its inception, VP of boarding operations Frank Taylor oversees the total operation of the farm including care of the horses, and farm maintenance. He also assists clients on an individual basis advising them in matings and sales and generally improving their bloodstock. Last July, the family-owned Nicholasville, Ky.-based operation bought out co-breeder Steve Coburn's interest in California Chrome. Mr. Taylor will tell us a little bit of what is in store for the leading money-winning thoroughbred in North America. br Leading up to the Kentucky Derby, who better to go to than the “King of Louisville” – Byron King a popular DRF handicapper and columnist. Keeneland closes on Friday and Churchill Downs opens for live racing on Saturday. Byron and John will analyze the Gr. 3 $150,000 Bewitch Stakes at Keeneland; the $100,000 William Walker Stakes at Churchill Downs; the Gr. 3 $100,000 Miami Mile Hcp. and the Gr. 3 $100,000 San Francisco Mile.

Canterbury Park racing officials today announced a sweeping reduction in pari-mutuel takeout that will result in the Shakopee, Minn. racetrack offering a wagering product priced lower, on average, than any track in the country. Canterbury Park will be the best horse racing wagering opportunity in the United States when its 69-day race meet begins May 20. VP of Racing Operations Eric Halstrom will be our guest. br Our handicapper will be writer, oddsmaker and track announcer Ed Meyer. He's been going to Keeneland since he learned how to sneak into the back seat of his father's car. We'll handicap Friday's Gr. 3 $100,000 Doubledogdare Stakes and then Saturday's Gr. 2 $250,000 Elkhorn Stakes. From there it is on to Charles Town for their rich Classic - a Gr. 2 race that carries a $1,250,000 purse. We'll close with a trip out west to Los Alamitos for the Gr. 2 $200,000 Great Lady M Stakes.

Kentucky based trainer Kenny McPeek travels the world looking for potential bloodstock for racing prospects. On Sat. April 23rd, McPeek’s Magdalena Farm in Lexington will be having an Open House at 10 am with discussions on conformation, training philosophy, co-ownership of horses, legal issues, and financial matters as they relate to horse ownership, A cocktail party to follow live racing at Keeneland. Kenny will give us all the details. br DRF’s Mary Rampellini is working the beat for “The Racing Festival of the South” at Oaklawn Park this weekend. Winchell Thoroughbreds' 2014 champion 3-year-old filly Untapable will bid for a repeat victory in the $600,000 Apple Blossom Hcp (G1) on Friday. On Saturday Bob Baffert trained Cupid returns to Oaklawn in hopes of capturing the $1 million Arkansas Derby (G1). Also on the undercard is the $750,000 Oaklawn Hcp (G2). Mary and John Engelhardt will weigh in on these races and also review last weeks' Kentucky Derby and Oaks preps.

Our first guest Amy Owens, a Communications Associate at Keeneland will preview for us the opening this weekend of it's spring meet with some great racing showcasing the Grade 1 Toyota Bluegrass Stakes and lots of innovative customer services at this historic track which opens on Friday. br Dick Downey founder of 'The Downey Profile' presents his annual analysis of the Triple Crown on his expansive website. One of his most popular free features are “Looking Good” which highlights the leading horses on the Triple Crown trail with detailed information on their Pedigree Profiles, sales records and an in-depth profile of their past and current racing career. It includes races they are being pointed toward, up-to-date training schedule and current quotes from their trainers an jockeys. The site also gives updates on “Road to the Kentucky Derby” races with current points and most importantly videos of all of the Derby Preps. He will update us on this year's Triple Crown's travails.

Last week and this weekend will go down as one of the greatest in racing's history and we are bringing together the Killer B's to talk about the buzz - National Handicapping Champion Michael Beychock and the Daily Racing Form's Matt Bernier. br Beychock was on hand to witness California Chrome's historic win in the $10 Dubai World Cup and will paint the picture of the unique Festival of Racing. He will also give his expert perspective on the Battle of the Unbeatens that will take place in the Florida Derby between Eclipse Award winner Nyquist and Mohaymen. br Outstanding DRF handicapper Matt Bernier recently debuted his new The Matt Bernier Show that airs every Friday on DRF.com. In addition to telling us about the show's format, Matt and John will analyze the Gr. 1 $100,000,000 Florida Derby; Gr. 2 $250,000 Gulfstream Park Oaks: Gr. 2 $300,000 Honey Fox and Gr. 3 $550,000 Spiral Stakes.

Brian Zipse who operates the site Horse Racing Nation has been tracking the horses who will compete for the rich purses in Dubai this week. Led by the 2014 Horse of the Year, California Chrome, and last year’s Wood Memorial and Pennsylvania Derby winner, Frosted, a field of 13 probables has been announced for the March 26 Dubai World Cup. Both American stars have been in Dubai for some time, and they each look to be coming up to the race in fine fettle. Brian will give us an update on the scene in Dubai. New Orleans native and outstanding handicapper Gary West will join us to examine four graded stakes races from the Fair Grounds. Kentucky Derby hopefuls will square off in the $1,000,000 Grade 2 Louisiana Derby, Fillies pointing to the Kentucky Oaks will match strides in the $400,000 Grade 2 Fair Grounds Oaks. Older horses will take to the turf in the $300,000 Grade 2 Muniz Memorial Handicap. An all-stakes Pick-4 starts with the $400,000 Grade 2 New Orleans Handicap.

Tom Amoss one of the country's top percentage leading trainers has horses on the Kentucky Derby and Oaks trail. Tom is a graduate of Louisiana State University with a degree in marketing and a member of Sigma Nu Fraternity, He had worked with horses while in high school and after completing his education went to work for trainers Frank Brothers, Larry Robideaux, and John Parisella. In 1987 he took out his trainer's license and set out on his own. He has won nine leading trainer titles. In 1998, Tom Amoss was inducted into the Fair Grounds Hall of Fame. He will give us a report on his charges Venus Valentine and Mo Tom both on the Derby and Oaks trail. br A frequent guest on the show Oaklawn Park's racing analyst and announcer Pete Aiello will join us as the spotlight switches to his new home track on Saturday. The featured race with Ky. Derby implications is the Gr. 2 $900, 000 Rebel S. teamed up with the Gr. 2 $300,000 Azeri S. and the Gr. 3 $300,000 Razorback S.

Terry Houghton, 46, a native of Burlington, KY began his riding career back in 1987 at Detroit Race Course and has averaged more than 180 wins a year while primarily campaigning in the Midwest and Florida. Along the way Houghton has earned leading-rider titles at Tampa Bay Downs, Mountaineer Racetrack, Detroit Race Course, Pinnacle Race Course, and the 2015 Winter/Spring title at Mahoning Valley Race Course. Overall he has ridden 33,470 races and his mounts have earned $54 million. He will take us through memory lane back to where it all started. What do Seabiscuit, Round Table, Affirmed, Spectacular Bid, John Henry, Tiznow and Lohn Henry, Tiznow and Lava Man have in common? They all won the Santa Anita Handicap. That Gr. 1 $1 million race will be the first of four graded races which Jay Privman and John will tackle. They will also analyze the Gr. 1 $400,000 Frank E. Kilroe Mile; the Gr. 2 $400,000 San Felipe for 3-year-olds and the Gr. 2 $300,000 San Carlos Stakes.

Louisville’s Dr. Harvey Diamond is the founder and racing manager for the Skychai Racing LLC. He is a lifelong horse lover whose dad would get young Harvey out of school to go to the races. The outfit has been very successful with their claims and purchases such as Da Big Hoss claimed for $50,000 last spring and now winner of four races and three stakes. Other Skychai horses Twinspired, winner of Turfway Park’s WEBN Stakes; and multiple stakes-winner Cherokee Triangle. Skychai also bought 25% interest in Hansen before he won the 2011 Breeders’ Cup Juvenile. Diamond, a physician, is an owner and President of Occupational Physician Services, which has evolved into one of the most distinguished and well-respected practices in the occupational health field. br DRF's Dan Illman will 'cap the Gr. 3 $400,000 Gotham Stakes at his home base Aqueduct; and at Gulfstream the Gr. 2 $500,000 Gulfstream Park Hcp., the Gr. 2 $200,000 Mac Diarmida and the Gr. 3 $150,000 The Very One Stakes.

This Saturday there will be plenty of reasons to focus on Gulfstream Park. Hall of Fame Jockey Pat Day will be at Gulfstream to partake in a fundraiser for the PDJF called Jockeys and Jeans. Pat will reflect on some of the great races of his career and share some stories about his days with many of the other Hall of Fame riders that will be in attendance. In all 14 Hall of Fame riders are scheduled to attend among others Manuel Ycaza and John Rotz. Also Gulfstream Park will offer many stakes. The Blood-Horse's Handicapper and Award-Winning writer Frank Angst will join John Engelhardt to analyze the top races that will include performances by the undefeated Mohaymen in the Gr. 2 $400,000 Fountain of Youth and the undefeated Cathryn Sophia in the Gr. 2 Davona Dale - both races should produce starters in the Kentucky Derby and Oaks. In addition to those races Frank and John will handicap the highly competitive $150,000 Gr. 3 Palm Springs and the $150,000 Gr. 3 Canadian Turf.

Mardis Gras is over, but there will be plenty of action in The Big Easy with 4 graded Stakes at the Fair Grounds. Both our guests this week will be Boots on the Grounds and will give us their analysis of the Gr. 2 $400,000 Risen Star for 3-year-old colts and geldings and the Gr. 3 $200,000 Rachel Alexandra will feature the sophomore ladies. Also on Saturday the Gr. 3 $125,000 Mineshaft Hcp. and the Gr. 3 $125,000 Fair Grounds Hcp. Ed DeRosa will also introduce us to a new Kentucky Derby Poll that he is taking part in. The brainchild of Jennie Rees has brought together some of the top national handicappers who will give their fresh selections on a weekly basis. Jockey agent Rick Mocklin has Richard Eramia's book - a five-time leading rider in his native Uruguay and Louisiana Downs. They were recently featured in an article in the Blood-Horse depicting Eramia's journey to U.S. citizenship. We'll discuss this moving story and get Rick's 'inside track' on the Stakes.

There was a lot of great racing over the weekend that should have implications on the Kentucky Derby and Oaks. Songbird absolutely romped in the Las Virgenes remaining undefeated. Nyquist, the 2015 champion 2-year-old colt did not race over the weekend, but he put in a sensational workout prior to the races at Santa Anita on Saturday. Bob Baffert unleashed his Triple Crown hopeful Mor Spirit and he was impressive in the Robert B. Lewis. Jay Hovdey will discuss his impressions of these performances and his view of the North American-based performers that are in or heading to Dubai. Paul Matties, fresh off his $800,000 victory in the NHC XVII at Las Vegas will discuss his handicapping tactics and with John will look at top Saturday Stakes from around the country - the Gr. 3 $250,00 Sam F. Davis at Tampa Bay; Laurel's Gr. 2 $300,000 Barbara Fritchie; the Gr. 3 $200,000 El Camino Real at Golden Gate and Santa Anita's Gr. 2 $200,000 Santa Maria.

As a jockey agent, Doug Bredar may be the most credentialed horseman in the country, with over 25 years of experience in almost every official capacity from coast to coast. Bredar elected to leave the confines of the racing office and use his knowledge of the game and nationwide contacts to try his hand as a jockey agent. He will tell us how that switch has worked out for him and jockey Florent Geroux. br DRF player development handicapper Matt Bernier has just won the 2nd Annual NHC Charity Challenge. A popular guest on Winningponies, he will join host John Engelhardt to look at some of the stakes races this week-end. At Gulfstream Park the prestigious Grade 1 $500,000 Donn Hcp. will be contested accompanied by the Grade 1 $350,000 Gulfstream Park Turf Hcp. Out at Santa Anita 3-year-olds will match strides in the Grade 3 $150,000 Robert B. Lewis S.and the Grade 2 $500,000 San Antonio S. will also be contested Saturday.

Originally from Columbus, Ohio, Gina Gans has over a dozen years of experience with training thoroughbreds, racehorse care, and exercise riding. After graduating from Ohio State University, where she earned a bachelor of sciences degree in animal science and a minor in agriculture business, she joined the Tim Hamm Racing Stable as an assistant trainer. She will be joining the EQUIX team as a bloodstock analyst where she will offer their clients a high degree of expertise in selecting young racing prospects for purchase. Award-winning journalist and reporter with over 25 years experience in various mediums covering a variety of sports and human interest stories with an emphasis on horse racing, she is considered among the foremost female experts and commentators on Thoroughbred Horse Racing. Caton Bredar will lend her skills in analyzing Gulfstream's feature Gr. 2 $350,000 Holy Bull Stakes, also the Gr. 2 $200,000 Forward Gal Stakes and the Gr. 2 $150,000 Swale Stakes.

With the National Handicapping Championship 17 set for Jan. 28-30 at Treasure Island, what better time to bring on two of the top contest players to share their techniques with our listeners. The first is the current points’ leader Jonathon Kinchen who stands to win a $2 million bonus with a win in Las Vegas. Kinchen, a 33-year-old realtor who has taken the contest world by storm since playing his first tournament less than two years ago, is now eligible for a $2 million bonus should he go on to win. Our guest handicapper will be Lisa Blevins who could take down the $800,000 first prize from a pool of more than $2.5 million at NHC 17 in January. It’s a goal she’s had for more than a decade, since her husband, Jobby Blevins, qualified for NHC IV in 2003. Lisa will look at three races from three different tracks - the Gr. 3 $200,000 Santa Monica S. from Santa Anita; the $100,000 Busanda S. from Aqueduct for 3-year-old fillies and Tampa's $100,000 Pasco S. for for 3-year-old males.