Winning Ponies

This will be Joe Nevills' first interview on WinningPonies since becoming a Eclipse Award winner for Feature/Commentary Writing. “It’s just one of those things you dream of doing, like hitting a Grand Slam to win Game 7 of the World Series,” Nevills said about winning an Eclipse Award. In “Biting The Dust: A Long Goodbye to Mount Pleasant Meadows,” Nevills tells the story of the demise of a small mixed-breed track in central Michigan through the eyes of trainer Nate Funnell, jockey Lee Gates, track announcer and marketing director Scott Csernyik, and through his own personal recollections of a place where he learned and enjoyed horse racing beginning with his family at age four. Tom Law will join us as we enter 2020 to review The Best Of the decade. It could be horses, jockeys, races, trainers or trends in racing. We will see where the conversation takes us, just two guys talking horses.

Anna Ford from New Vocations is the program Director in charge of the Thoroughbreds & Adoption Office. This program starting this week, will produce the simulcast television feed for Hollywood Casino at Penn National Race which will run informational slates that feature retired racehorses available for adoption. The slates will include a photo of the horse, biographical info, what they will be most suitable for in retirement (ie. trail riding, show jumping, etc…) and contact information for the farm where the horse is located. Rich Eng will join John to take a step back and look at “The Year in Review.” A lot happened in the racing world in 2020 and issues are percolating concerning track and horses safety, new medication restrictions, jockey regulation in the saddle. Maximum Security was first horse to be disqualified in the Derby.. Horse of the Year looks like between Bricks and Mortar and Mitole. There is plenty for discussion and Rich will share his insights with us.

?Edward Bowen is the author of 18 books, his latest is “The Lucky Thirteen.” In more than a century of American Thoroughbred racing, only thirteen horses have won the Triple Crown,( the Derby, Preakness and Belmont won all in the same year). Veteran turf writer and racing historian Edward L. Bowen takes us through the rich history of one of the most formidable and exciting challenges in all of sport. Bowen covers the trainers, owners, and jockeys who etched their names into the annals of thoroughbred racing, and the “lucky thirteen” who won the Triple Crown. Sunday is “get away day” at Remington Park. They will be closing out the week with no less than 6 stakes. Expect some shippers for the $400,000 Remington Springboard Mile as it is a legitimate first step on the road to the Kentucky Derby. Mary Rampellini covers the racing at Remington and will join John to handicap not only the Springboard Mile, but the three $100,000 races on the card that will feature a lucrative Pick-4.

After Tom's d'Etat crossed the finish line first in the Gr. 1 600,000 Clark Stakes at Churchill, there was one person missing from the winner’s circle photo – trainer Tommy Drury. Al Stall, Jr. is the actual trainer of Tom's d'Etat, but Drury is the 'Behind the Scenes' conditioner who adds Stall and a variety of other high-profile trainers to his list of clients. Tommy will discuss his life as a trainer, the advantages of working at the Skylight Training Center and his techniques of developing horses like Eclipse Award winner Hansen among others. Sid Fernando is president of eMatings.com and Werk Thoroughbred Consultants, Inc., owner of eNicks. A former bloodstock editor and columnist at DRF, Sid is an internationally known pedigree writer whose articles have appeared in racing and breeding publications around the world. Sid will talk about the creation and evolution of the Werk 'Nicking' system and how it has become an invaluable tool in breeding and buying thoroughbreds.

Retired Jockey and racing personality Donna Barton Brothers has a lifelong love affair and respect for horses. In a recently written article she pulls back the curtain on PETA and what they really stand for and are doing to damage the sport of horse racing. It is a no holds barred stand against this group of bullies and an insight into their methods to influence the opinions of those that really don't understand all that goes in to developing and caring for the horses they breed and race. Our second guest is the ever-popular Ed Meyer who will discuss all of the national news that has evolved since the running of the Breeders' Cup. Ed and John will then look north of the border where Woodbine will host the $225,000 Coronation Futurity where 2-year-olds will try to stretch 1 1/8 miles. Woodbine also has the Grade 2, $175,000 Kennedy Road featuring Canada's Horse of the Year Pink Lloyd vs. eight rivals dashing 6 furlongs. Pink Lloyd is searching for his 22nd lifetime victory.

Eric Mitchell has joined Blood-Horse Publications in October 1999 as a senior staff writer. He will discuss the recent sales and which the hot first and second crop sires are. Bob Railbird Roberts has been a guest handicapper on WinningPonies many times. This week he will join us, not to handicap, but to talk about his new book - Writings of a Railbird. Selecting articles from 40 years of writing for the Cleveland Plain Dealer, he takes us through stories filled with excitement, challenges and humor from every aspect of the racing world. The Railbird will discuss the evolution of his writing and the characters he met along the way.

Not much notable racing happening after the Breeders' Cup, so DRF Jay Privman will be our featured guest to examine the impact of last weekend's results at Santa Anita. This year’s Breeders’ Cup took place in Jay’s backyard at Santa Anita and he had an inside view of the people and horses, winners and losers. We will review the impact the races may have had on the end of year championships. You can find these recent Breeders’ Cup related stories written by Jay on drf.com

The big weekend is only a few hours from going to post at Santa Anita. The weather is in the ’80s and sunny with Fast and Firm courses. A perfect day for wagering and watching the action. Two of our most popular handicappers are here with some free selections to whet your appetite and get you ready to download your E-Z Win Forms and do battle with the best two days of racing of the year, the Breeders' Cup Series.. Daily Racing Form's Handicapping Editor Dan Illman and Belterra's Race Caller, Odds-line Maker and previous Host of this show Ed Meyer will Join John to sift through Friday's and Saturday's cards at Santa Anita with the highlight being the $6 million Breeders' Cup Classic. And as always may your winners be many and your photos few.

Brian Zipse has been covering the scene for next week's edition of the Breeders' Cup and the pre-entries are now out. He will be our guest to cover the story lines and give insights to the contenders and pretenders. He will share the latest information gleaned from his publication Horse Racing Nation. Saturday is the biggest day of competition for the Buckeyes - not the two-legged kind from Columbus - but the four-legged kind at Mahoning Valley. There is a pot of $750,000 awaiting The Best of Ohio in every division. We are bringing in Bob Railbird Roberts the Dean of Ohio Racing. The fields have been drawn for the five races and while reigning Ohio Horse of the Year Altissimo looks like a standout in the Sprint - there are plenty of upset opportunities in the other races making up the Best of Ohio Pick 5 that will feature a Takeout of only 15%!

With no major races in the pre-Breeders Cup days, we put together a rare show with 2 duets. Our first 2 guests are well-known nationally - one as a jockey and the other a writer - AND they happen to be married. Jay Hovdey has written a book about a special time during Julie Krone's riding career titled One Sweet Ride. It chronicles the period where she teamed up with Hall of Fame trainer Ron McAnally and owners Sid and Jenny Craig to ride Candy Ride in the 2003 Pacific Classic at Del Mar.. The father and son duo of jockey Jack Gilligan and his father Patrick will describe the continued journey of their first 2 years in the U.S. made into a popular book penned by Patrick named Around Kentucky with the Bug! detailing Jack's early days breaking into the sport from Belterra, Turfway, Mountaineer, Indiana Grand, Churchill and Keeneland, Jack has ridden several Graded stakes winners. We will talk to both about the climb in their careers and a new book by Patrick that is in the works.

Horses can be cross-entered in multiple races, with decisions to be made by Monday of race week for the Nov. 2 Breeders’ Cup Saturday at Santa Anita Park. Several horses have been lucky enough to have options to go one way or another: - Omaha Beach, Mitole, Catalina Cruiser, Bricks and Mortar and Catholic Boy all have their options open. In another twist, Tiz the Law, winner of the Grade 1 Champagne, is opting to pass the Breeders' Cup set on a well-planned route to the Kentucky Derby. They pulled it off with Funny Cide! The new Associate Editor at the Blood-Horse, Byron King, will join us to give his opinion on the path they will take. If time allows he will give us his insights on Keeneland's Grade 1 Queen Elizabeth Challenge Cup. There is some great racing north of the border this Saturday and Woodbine clocker Ernie Perri will join John to look at the top contenders in the Grade 1 $600,000 E.P. Taylor; Grade 1 $800,000 Canadian International and Grade 2 $250,000 Neartic Stakes.

It's that time of the year... leaves are beginning to change, the long awaited cold front is rumored to come in, a huge amount of Win and You're In so the Farmer's Almanac says it is again Fallstars Allstars weekend at Keeneland October 4-6. Keeneland will host 8 of those races and Keeneland's hard working publicist Amy Owens will set the stage for us for the entire meet. She will give us updates on the horses involved in the 3-day event and new happenings at the Lexington track that looks to have fine weather for the events. We are bringing in the other half of the Regular Guy show as fan favorite Ed Meyer will join John to asses the best on Saturday's card - The $1 million Gr.1 Turf Mile; the $500,000 Gr.1 Claiborne Farm Breeders' Futurity; the $400,000 Gr.1 First Lady Stakes and the $250,000 Gr. 2 Thoroughbred Club of America Stakes. It is a big task with all of the outstanding horses at the iconic track, but Ed and John have plenty of experience 'Capping at Keeneland.

In a rare unanimous vote, Sophie Doyle was voted Jockeys’ Guild Foundation Detox Jockey of the Week for September 16-22, 2019. The award is voted on by a panel of experts for riding accomplishments by members of the Jockeys’ Guild, the organization which represents more than 950 riders in North America. Sophie will join winningponies host John Engelhardt to discuss her picture-perfect ride and what it meant to her and the entire Street Band team. In 2017, Andrew Champagne left TVG for the DRF, where he currently serves as a Web Producer, maintaining pages on DRF.com. Furthermore, he continued his freelance work as a handicapper for The Saratogian. John will put Andrew’s handicapping skills to the test in a quartet of graded races at Belmont Park – two that are Breeders Cup “Win and You’re In” events. The richest race of the day is the $750,000 Grade 1 Jockey Club Gold Cup followed by the $300,000 Grade 1 Vosburgh; $300,000 Grade 2 Beldame and the $200,000 Grade 3 Pilgrim Stakes.

Atlanta author Peter Lee says that a safety pin was the cause of Spectacular Bid's loss in the 1979 Belmont. Experts have thought the horse's trainer, Bud Delp, made up the excuse story. Some point to 19-year-old jockey Ron Franklin's poor ride as the reason for the loss. Lee, author of Spectacular Bid: The Last Superhorse of the Twentieth Century interviewed several people, including the owners, Tom and Teresa Meyerhoff, Pete, and trainer Bud Delp's brother, Richard, who all corroborated the story. Frank Angst will tackle thoroughbred racing current issues and 'cap 2 $1 Million races. In the Pennsylvania Derby (G1) a bout of colic sent the favorite - Maximum Security to the sidelines and opened the door for several other top 3-year-olds. The Cotillion (G1) has the undefeated Guarana in a rematch with Acorn runner-up Serengeti Empress. 2-year-old champion Jaywalk will face the top two. In the $300,000 Gallant Bob (G2), a well-matched field of nine will dash the 6 furlongs.

The “Road to the Kentucky Derby officially begins Saturday with the 38th running of the dollar 200,000 Iroquois Stakes (GIII) for 2 year old and the 51st running of the dollar 200,000 Pocahontas (GII) for 2 year old fillies, that kicks off the “Road to the Kentucky Oaks” . Both events are part of the Breeders Cup “Win and You are In Divisions.” Other stakes races on Saturdays program are the 36th running of the dollar 200,000 Locust Grove (GIII) for fillies and mares and the 11th running of the dollar 125,000 Open Mind for fillies and mares. Joe Kristufek, the Churchill Downs On Air Handicapper will help John to handicap the 3 graded stakes races. Big day at North of the Border highlighted by the Win and You are In the dollar 1 million Ricoh Woodbine Mile(GI). The undercard features the dollar 300,000 Northern Dancer Turf (GI); the dollar 250,000 Canadian Stakes (GII) and the dollar 125,000 Bold Venture Stakes (GIII). Ernie Perri the clocker at Woodbine will help John with as many Woodbine stakes a

Barry Meadow has spent more than 50 years in the gambling world gambling, and writing about it. He is best known for his book Money Secrets At The Racetrack, the definitive guide to money management. He wrote his first book, Success At The Harness Races, in 1967. He gambled full-time on the harness races at Los Alamitos. Eventually, he would switch to the thoroughbreds. In 1994, he came out with Secrets Of The Pick 6, Meadow was a speaker at every Handicapping Expo since 1990 and was a member of the NTRA Players Panel. Barry will delve into his exciting career at the tracks and his literary success with his many racing books. Award-winning journalist Caton Bredar grew up in the shadow of Arlington Park and held a variety of licenses on the racetrack including exercise rider, owner, trainer and racing official before turning her attention to broadcasting. She will Join John in handicapping the main stakes on this Saturday with Belmont Park opening it's Fall Meet on Friday.

Americas most European racetrack - Kentucky Downs kicks off it is short meet. It is the home to Americas only European-style all turf racecourse, at 1 5 or 16 miles in length, Unlike other racetracks, it is course is kidney-shaped, with undulation and a unique right-hand bend, with subtle elevation changes throughout. Byron King wears many top hats - columnist, handicapper, bloodstock agent, soccer coach and now he is doing the morning line for Kentucky Downs race meet. Byron will join John in finding the potential winners.in the Dollor 750,000 Tourist Mile; the Dollor 500,000 Kentucky Downs Juvenile and the Dollor 500,000 Exacta Systems Juvenile Fillies. Popular writer and handicapper Brian Zipse will help us with all the action from coast to coast. Starting with the Gr. 1 Dollor 750,000 Woodward. On the undercard is the Gr. 2 Dollor 250,000 Prioress. Moving West we will take a look at the Gr. 3 Dollor 250,000 Virginia Derby at Colonial Downs. Last on the flight going West is the Gr. 1 Dollor 300,000 D

Drum roll please”Ladies and gentlemen, it is our honor to present to you for the 150th time the Midsummer Derby!” Yes, it is time to see who has matured since the first Saturday of May and withstood the rigors of racing. Can trainer Bill Mott claim 2 Derbies? While eventual Derby winner Country House is on the sidelines, his stablemate Tacitus will take up the banner for the Hall of Fame trainer. Post time is 11:35 AM EST. Travers will run as the 11th race. The other stakes include the Dollor 400,000 Woodford Reserve Ballston Spa (G2), the Dollor 500,000 Kettle Won Ballerina (G1) a win and you're in Breeders Cup race, the Dollor 500,000 H. Allen Jerkens Memorial (G1), the Dollor 700,000 Personal Ensign (G1) (Breeders Cup qualifier), the Dollor 600,000 Forego (G1) and the Dollor 850,000 Sword Dancer (G1). Two popular handicappers Eric Wing and Ed Meyer will join John to discuss all of the days graded stakes action, giving their picks and potential longshots to hopefully put some “green in your jeans!”

Going Coast to Coast up first Rich Eng will tackle the 2 graded stakes at Saratoga on Saturday - the Gr. 1 dollar 600,000 Alabama and the Gr. 2 dollar 200,000 Lake Placid. The Alabama is shaping up as a very interesting race as jockey Sophie Doyle will make her Saratoga debut aboard Indiana Oaks winner Street Band for trainer Larry Jones. They will have some tough competition with Point of Honor, winner of the Black-Eyed Susan Iowa Oaks winner Lady Apple and Gulfstream Park Oaks winner Champagne Anyone. Renowned handicapper Byron King will join John to analyze 3 graded stakes at Del Mar on Saturday - the Win and You are In Gr. 1 dollar 1 million Pacific Classic Gr. 1 Del Mar Oaks and Gr. 2 Win and You're In Del Mar Handicap. Jockey John Velazquez will make his seasonal Del Mar Debut with recent Stephen Foster winner Seeking the Soul. It is a deep talent laden field that includes millionaire Quip, who was only a neck behind Seeking the Soul in the Stephen Foster Pavel and War Story.

Gary West is one of the most respected turf writers the sport has been blessed with. He always has well-studied and thought out views on racing and shares those in an elegant manner. We will be talking with Gary about the current landscape of racing and another matter close to his heart his close friendship with the recently deceased Bob Fortus in New Orleans. Gary will reflect on his times with Bob and give insights to the man behind the writing. Brisnet James Scully will join John for Arlington Park is biggest day of racing with 3 Grade 1 Stakes all of them on the turf. From it is first thrilling finish between John Henry and the Bart in 1981 the Arlington Million has been considered a premiere race nationally and internationally. The 1.25 mile turf test continues to carry a dollar 1 million purse. Like the Million, the Beverly D for fillies and mares has and quot Win and You are In and quot status and boasts a dollar 600,000 purse. Rounding out the Grade 1 trifecta is the dollar 500,000 Secretaria