NBC Analyst Matt Bernier & Hall Of Fame Jockey Pat 'P.J.' Cooksey
February 4, 2021
Hosted by John Engelhardt
[Download MP3] [itunes] [Bookmark Episode]
Guest Information
Episode Description
Matt Bernier's style and presence on “Horseplayers” led to a position with the DRF. Bernier’s meteoric rise through his appearances on DRF.com has landed him a spot as a regular team member on major television broadcasts such as NBC, NBC Sports and ESPN as a handicapper and analyst. In “The Matt Bernier Show” aired from his home in the western Massachusetts suburb of West Springfield, Matt does a sensational job at breaking down the previous weeks best graded stakes. He will be joining us to talk about the evolution of “The Matt Bernier Show” and share his thoughts on this season’s “Road to the Kentucky Derby.” Patricia "P.J." Cooksey is a trailblazer for women in the sport of racing. From riding in the pony races as an 11-year-old at the Canfield County Fair to becoming the first woman to ride in a Classic race, the Youngstown, Ohio native started in the leaky-roof circuit of West Virginia and made her way to the Kentucky Derby and became the first woman to ride in the Preakness.
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.”
