Winning Ponies Welcomes Breeders Cup's VP of Media and Entertainment Peter Rotondo, Jr. and Jockey's Agent Rick Mocklin
February 20, 2014
Hosted by John Engelhardt
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Guest Information
Episode Description
Peter Rotondo, Jr. has been working for the Breeders' Cup since 2006 and currently holds the position of Vice President of media and entertainment. His experiences have led him to be part of a new reality show for the recently launched Esquire Network. The show is aptly named ³Horseplayers² and follows Rotondo and his castmates on a tour of the best racing venues in the U.S. in the pursuit of the title of Handicapper of the Year and a $750,000 prize at the DRF/NTRA National Handicapping Championship. He will take us through his journey in horse racing and imparts with us some stories from his involvement with the Esquire's show. Rick Mocklin will be our second guest. He has done a little of everything in racing, and is currently a jockey agent at The Fair Grounds. Using Rick's intimate knowledge of The Fair Grounds we will handicap the $400,000 Gr. 2 Risen Star Stakes; the $200,000 Gr. 3 Rachel Alexandra Stakes and the $150,000 Gr. 3 Mineshaft Stakes from Fair Grounds and the $400,000 Gr. 2 Fountain of Youth from Gulfstream Park.
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.”
