S8E30: A Kentucky Derby cast of thousands, or 13
Release Date: 05/02/2025
S8E51: Like a racetrack on a golf course
The Ron Flatter Racing Pod
The climactic weekend on the turf at Kentucky Downs is the focus this week of the Ron Flatter Racing Pod. Trainer Brendan Walsh has four horses in the multimillion-dollar weekend stakes. He discusses Spanish Eyes, New Century, Pondering and Z Z’s and their strategies this weekend. Walsh also talks about Special Wan, who won for him at Kentucky Downs last Saturday in the Grade 3 Ladies Turf, and a couple of his standout 3-year-olds. Dr. Ronald Tang, the California oncologist who won last year’s King of the Turf handicapping contest at Kentucky Downs, shares his basics for betting the...
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S8E50: Showdowns at Del Mar and Saratoga
The Ron Flatter Racing Pod
Local standouts Journalism and Nysos face eastern shipper Fierceness in the Pacific Classic at Del Mar, and Mindframe gets a high-profile rematch with Sierra Leone in the Jockey Club Gold Cup at Saratoga. These 1 1/4-mile, Grade 1, $1 million races are spotlighted this week on the Ron Flater Racing Pod. Christina Blacker of FanDuel TV provides insight on the east vs. west matchup in California. She discusses Preakness and Haskell (G1) winner Journalism’s first time facing older horses like Nysos and Fierceness in their audition for the Breeders’ Cup Classic over the same course and...
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S8E49: Bring on fall and the Travers
The Ron Flatter Racing Pod
The 156th running of the Grade 1, $1.25 million Travers Stakes at Saratoga is not only the mid-summer derby. It also is the centerpiece this week for the Ron Flatter Racing Pod. Racing analyst and TV host Andy Serling of New York Racing Association TV and Fox Sports is along to discuss the race, the Grade 1s on Saturday’s card and the Saratoga summer. He also will talk about the 3-year-old male division and how the Travers could go a long way toward determining the Eclipse Award. Jockey Júnior Alvarado rides Kentucky Derby and Belmont Stakes winner Sovereignty in the Travers talks...
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S8E48: Canada to Italy to Alabama in N.Y.
The Ron Flatter Racing Pod
Canada and Italy line up with the U.S. on this week’s menu for the Ron Flatter Racing Pod. Ashley Mailloux from FanDuel TV examines the 166th running of the King’s Plate. She offers analysis about the field that includes No Time, the morning-line favorite trying to become the 40th filly to win this first race of the Canadian Triple Crown. The Palio di Siena, the ancient bareback race run twice every summer in Tuscany, happens again this weekend. Sportscaster Kenny Mayne and producer Matt Doyle recall their adventure covering the sometimes controversial event that is centuries...
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S8E47: The Million and a _____load of dimes
The Ron Flatter Racing Pod
The Grade 1 Arlington Million returns this weekend to Virginia for the third time. It comes with the added attraction of Kentucky Derby 2024 winner Mystik Dan. The 42nd renewal of the well-traveled race catches the spotlight on this week’s Ron Flatter Racing Pod. Colonial Downs track announcer Jason Beem checks in from his frequent travels to offer his thoughts on the $1 million race which lured Kentucky Derby 2024 winner Mystik Dan to try the turf for the first time. He also offers his thoughts on the rise of Virginia racing. Hall of Famer Shug McGaughey trains 5-year-old morning-line...
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S8E46: Whitney talk and more with JK and Resolute
The Ron Flatter Racing Pod
The Grade 1, $1 million Whitney Stakes featuring Fierceness, Sierra Leone and White Abarrio may be the race of the year, so far. It is the primary subject of this week’s Ron Flatter Racing Pod. “Saratoga Live” analyst Jonathon Kinchen from the New York Racing Association and Fox Sports offers his thoughts on the Whitney field, some of the other races on Saturday’s card and some behind-the-scenes insights into his popular Cart Talk feature. Away from Saratoga, Resolute Racing founder John Stewart discusses his rapid success in the short time he has been an owner, and he talks...
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S8E45: Speaking of Spa & Del Mar, it’s Privman the human & horse
The Ron Flatter Racing Pod
The return of Kentucky Derby and Belmont Stakes winner Sovereignty in the Grade 2 Jim Dandy at Saratoga and the showcase for sprinters in the Bing Crosby (G1) at Del Mar are among the topics for the Ron Flatter Racing Pod. Retired turf writer Jay Privman discusses the California summer that may include Preakness winner Journalism facing older rivals next month in the Pacific Classic (G1). He also will talk about his namesake horse who broke his maiden Sunday. Trainer Bob Hess Jr. offers an update on Roll On Big Joe, who tests Grade 1 waters Saturday in the Bing Crosby. He also offers his...
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S8E44: From Surf to Shore with Collmus and Wellman
The Ron Flatter Racing Pod
Opening week at Del Mar and the Grade 1, $1 million Haskell Stakes at Monmouth Park are the main topics this week on the Ron Flatter Racing Pod. Larry Collmus checks in from Del Mar, where he makes his debut as the permanent announcer for all seasons. He offers his thoughts about the meet that will be highlighted by next month’s Pacific Classic (G1). He also talks about his cross-country drive that led him to where the turf meets the surf. Aron Wellman of Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners speaks from his drive between Newark Liberty International Airport and the Jersey Shore to discuss...
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S8E43: Summer at Saratoga plus a new cast member
The Ron Flatter Racing Pod
The formal start of the Saratoga summer with some familiar names and the introduction of a new voice highlight this week’s episode of the Ron Flatter Racing Pod. Horse Racing Nation writer and HorseCenter host Matt Shifman checks in from upstate New York to offer his thoughts about the upcoming meet, the potential rematch next month of Sovereignty and Journalism in the Grade 1 Travers and some tips for fans taking in the races this summer at the Spa. Trainer Cherie DeVaux discusses She Feels Pretty, her four-time Grade 1 winner who is favored Saturday in the Grade 1 Diana Stakes. She...
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S8E42: A visit to Fairmount and tips for Saratoga
The Ron Flatter Racing Pod
With Chicagoland racing on the decline, Fairmount Park near St. Louis has become the one track in Illinois where the sport is on the rise. This week the Collinsville venue plays host for this on-the-road episode of the Ron Flatter Racing Pod. Vince Gabbert, a former executive at Keeneland, talks about his decision to run Fairmount Park since it was bought last year by the publicly traded gaming company Accel. He also discusses the recent opening of a casino inside the 100-year-old site, making it the first racetrack in Illinois to take advantage of that revenue stream. Jim Watkins, the...
info_outlineFrom Churchill Downs, a big lineup of guests discusses Kentucky Derby 2025 on the Ron Flatter Racing Pod.
FanDuel TV’s Caton Bredar, who lives in Louisville, Ky., tees up the show with her overarching view of the Derby and some of the horses she is looking at for her tickets.
Aron Wellman of Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners talks about Derby favorite Journalism. He also discusses 4-year-old Locked, who will take on Fierceness on Friday in the Grade 1 Alysheba Stakes.
Wayne Lukas trains American Promise, the Virginia Derby winner, for new owners John Bellinger of Texas and Brian Coelho of California.
Kate Hunter, the Japan liaison to big U.S. races, talks about Luxor Café and Admire Daytona.
Mike Repole, the self-anointed commissioner of racing. He discusses Fierceness against Locked in the Alysheba and lightly raced Grande in the Derby and maybe a word or two about the Florida decoupling proposal that may not get out of the state Senate.
Hall of Fame trainer Steve Asmussen has Louisiana Derby winner Tiztastic with Joel Rosario riding and the maiden Publisher, the runner-up in the Arkansas Derby who gets jockey Irad Ortiz Jr.
Jayson Werth, the former Major League Baseball all-star who won the Belmont Stakes last year with Dornoch, owns long shot Flying Mohawk, the runner-up in the Jeff Ruby Steaks (G3)
The Paddock Prince David Levitch will have his angles to discuss and some tips for betting Kentucky Derby 151.
Hard-core handicappers Mark Midland and Ed DeRosa of Horse Racing Nation and Johnny Avello of DK Horse will be along with their tips for Friday’s Kentucky Oaks (G1).
Co-host John Cherwa of the Los Angeles Times has his thoughts since he arrived this week on the Derby scene.
The Ron Flatter Racing Pod via Horse Racing Nation is available via free subscription from Apple, Firefox, iHeart and Spotify as well as HorseRacingNation.com.