The Ron Flatter Racing Pod
Featuring handicapping tips and insight from insiders, the Ron Flatter Racing Pod is posted every Friday morning via HorseRacingNation.com. Check out the interviews with owners, trainers, jockeys, racing journalists, handicappers and celebrities. The pod is hosted by HRN managing editor Ron Flatter, who has been covering horse racing around the world for more than 35 years.
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S9E23: Baffert splits, DeVaux preps
03/20/2026
S9E23: Baffert splits, DeVaux preps
The news of Hall of Fame trainer Bob Baffert’s decision to split his deep stable between two states is a dominant topic this week on the Ron Flatter Racing Pod. Co-hosts John Cherwa of the Los Angeles Times and Keith Nelson of Fairmount Park discuss the news that Baffert will have a string of horses during the entire spring meet at Churchill Downs. It will have repercussions in California, where Santa Anita scrambles to fill cards three days a week without an auxiliary gambling source of added revenue. Readers’ feedback about Baffert also is on this episode. The Grade 2 Louisiana Derby at Fair Grounds is one of Saturday’s two win-and-you’re-in qualifiers for Kentucky Derby 2026. Trainer Cherie DeVaux talks about her colt Golden Tempo, who carries 7-2 odds into the race. Handicapper Mark Midland zeroes in on the Louisiana Derby card as well as Turfway Park, where Saturday’s Jeff Ruby Steaks (G3) also will send its winner to the Kentucky Derby. Tom Rooney, the president and CEO of the National Thoroughbred Racing Association, gets into issues affecting the sport. The conversation took place last weekend at the National Horseplayers Championship in Las Vegas. 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.
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S9E22: Live again, sort of, from Las Vegas
03/13/2026
S9E22: Live again, sort of, from Las Vegas
From the National Horseplayers Championship in Las Vegas, past winners discuss present issues for the sport on the first live-ish episode since January of the Ron Flatter Racing Pod. David Harrison, Mike Gillum and defending victor Dan Piazza, three of the last four NHC winners, gather in a roundtable to talk about the secrets to their successes. They also weigh tournaments against everyday play in racing and the impact of computer-assisted wagering on their handicapping. Back at the track, trainer Will Walden discusses maiden winner High Camp, who tries to extend his one-turn acumen Saturday in the Virginia Derby, a virtual win-and-you’re-in qualifying prep for Kentucky Derby 2026. Walden also discusses his conquering of substance abuse and how his stable has reached out to others who have had similar challenges. Super Screener creator Mike Shutty has tips for Saturday races, including the Virginia Derby, the Grade 3 Whitmore Stakes at Oaklawn and the Captiva Island at Gulfstream Park. John Cherwa of the Los Angeles Times and Keith Nelson from Fairmount Park are along with their weekly host chat, including the latest developments in the bankruptcy story at Hawthorne, the rejection of north-state racing in California and the latest defeat of the decoupling of Thoroughbreds and slot machines in Florida. There also is listener and reader feedback to the evergreen episodes of the podcast that ran in the last six weeks. 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.
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S9E21: With a Y and an f-stop
03/06/2026
S9E21: With a Y and an f-stop
Two media professionals who have chronicled their love of the Thoroughbred game are featured this week on the Ron Flatter Racing Pod. Tommy Smyth with a Y, who has been a longtime sports personality in New York, discusses his ongoing trips to tracks both in the U.S. and his native Ireland. Smyth voices his concerns about computer bettors and how they have impacted his playing. He also advocates for fixed-odds wagering to be lined up alongside pari-mutuels. Alex Evers, one of racing’s top photographers, talks about his frequent trips overseas to shoot races, especially in Hong Kong. He shares memories of stars like Romantic Warrior and Golden Sixty and how his close access to top horses might help him bet. John Cherwa of the Los Angeles Times and Keith Nelson from Fairmount Park are along with their weekly host chat. 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.
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S9E20: Legendary turf writer Andrew Beyer
02/27/2026
S9E20: Legendary turf writer Andrew Beyer
Andrew Beyer is the most important pioneer of analytics in horse racing. The legendary turf writer and the creator of Beyer Speed Figures is the featured guest this week on the Ron Flatter Racing Pod. Beyer talks about why he made the decision to take his closely guarded formulas and figures that gave him a player’s advantage and sell them for public use. He also discusses how his speed figures are best used and perhaps misapplied in modern-day racing. The conversation also turns to how his figures have changed over the years, how they have inspired more analytics and the impact of computer-assisted wager on the game today. John Cherwa from the Los Angeles Times and Keith Nelson of Fairmount Park join in with their weekly host chat. 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.
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S9E19: Buglers’ call to post
02/20/2026
S9E19: Buglers’ call to post
They are as much a part of racing as the horses and the bettors. Buglers have been a track tradition for more than 140 years. Four of the best-known convene for an episode full of stories and laughs on the Ron Flatter Racing Pod. Retired New York Racing Association bugler Sam Grossman, Santa Anita’s Jay Cohen, Kentucky’s Steve Buttleman and former Arlington Park fixture Monica Benson compare notes about their craft, their other gigs and even some stories of betting on horses. Their challenges of playing in bad weather and trying conditions are combined in this episode with the celebrities they have met and the odd interactions they have had with racegoers and connections behind the scenes. Co-hosts John Cherwa of the Los Angeles Times and Keith Nelson of Fairmount Park also offer their anecdotes. 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.
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S9E18: Racing celebrates Black History Month
02/13/2026
S9E18: Racing celebrates Black History Month
Former NBA player and coach Avery Johnson has been a horse owner and continues to be a racing ambassador. Terry West was a trail-blazing jockey who holds a seat on the Maryland Racing Commission. In celebration of Black History Month, both Johnson and West are featured this week on the Ron Flatter Racing Pod. Johnson talks about growing up in New Orleans and what he learned from his father on their weekend trips to Fair Grounds. He also discusses his role as an ambassador for the Breeders’ Cup and racing’s need for central leadership. West recounts her lifelong love of horses and how she became a standout jumps rider who has continued to compete for more than a half-century. She also details the challenges she faced being one of the first Black women to compete in Thoroughbred races. Both Johnson and West expound on the goal of greater minority participation in all phases of horse racing. There also is a tribute to the late trainers King Leatherbury and John Shirreffs, both of whom died this week. 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.
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S9E17: Reunion of racing media alumni
02/06/2026
S9E17: Reunion of racing media alumni
Familiar names one day are gone the next. It long has been a reality of the ever-transient nature of media work. Four people who had memorable horse-racing chapters in their careers are reunited this week on the Ron Flatter Racing Pod. Former TV analysts Candice Hare, Joanne Jones, Rich Perloff and Jason Portuondo exchange stories of their days covering racing, including highlights they would put on their sizzle reels and those unintended moments in live reporting that turn into funny memories. They also talk about where they are now and how they got there. Hare is a TV news reporter at WKYC in Cleveland, Jones started a family in Los Angeles and is returning to the sport, Perloff is also in Los Angeles and has returned to his theater roots, and Portuondo is a steward based in suburban Toronto. Co-hosts John Cherwa of the Los Angeles Times and Keith Nelson of Fairmount Park discuss the big sports events this month, including their predictions for Super Bowl LX. 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.
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S9E16: Kentucky Derby 2026 mock draft
01/30/2026
S9E16: Kentucky Derby 2026 mock draft
With a little more than three months before the run for the roses, a mock draft for Kentucky Derby 2026 brings together seven handicapping minds for this week’s Ron Flatter Racing Pod. Horse Racing Nation hard-core handicapper and fair-odds author Ed DeRosa will be joined by Chip Gehrke, the Doctor Derby curator of weekly division rankings who won last year’s draft by picking Sovereignty in the second round. Five others take part, including Churchill Downs analyst and Turfway Park host Kaitlin Benson, 2012 National Horseplayers Championship winner Michael Beychok, Betting on Horse Racing for Dummies author Richard Eng from Las Vegas, sports-gambling host and former NFL quarterback Shaun King and Fox Sports and New York Racing Association TV analyst Maggie Wolfendale-Morley. The draft will last four rounds to determine who will be best positioned to have the winner among their four horses who could be in the May 3 running of the Derby. This episode was recorded Monday, before Ted Noffey came off the Triple Crown trail because of bone bruising. A video version of the draft is available on the Horse Racing Nation YouTube page. The Ron Flatter Racing Pod via Horse Racing Nation posts every Friday and is available via free subscription from Apple, Firefox, iHeart and Spotify as well as HorseRacingNation.com.
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S9E15 Pegasus flies again
01/23/2026
S9E15 Pegasus flies again
The Pegasus World Cup Invitational has evolved from a bold experiment to a decade-long fixture on the South Florida racing scene. The 10th running Saturday is the focus of this week’s Ron Flatter Racing Pod. FanDuel TV’s Christina Blacker checks in from Gulfstream Park to set the scene for the Grade 1, $3 million race that serves as both a punctuation mark on the preceding season and a springboard to the coming year. Hall of Fame jockey John Velázquez rides Captain Cook in the Pegasus from post 9. He talks about the statistical perception that it is difficult to win a 1 1/8-mile race from an outside draw on Gulfstream’s main track. Handicapper Mark Midland has tips for the Pegasus card as he offers his best bets for this weekend. Co-hosts John Cherwa of the Los Angeles Times and Keith Nelson of Fairmount Park join in the weekly host chat, and there will be a recap of the 2025 Eclipse Awards presented this week at The Breakers in Palm Beach, Fla. 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.
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S9E14: Old school meets new school
01/16/2026
S9E14: Old school meets new school
The creator of a new-media source for racing news and an old-school horseplayer who created a counterintuitive way of betting are featured this week on the Ron Flatter Racing Pod. Carlos Morales, the creator of Agentes 305, talks about the growth of his social-media platform and how it has become a go-to place for behind-the-scenes interviews in English and Spanish. He discusses his start as a radio personality in his native Venezuela and his move to the United States to advance his career in horse racing. Matt Miller, the 2021 Breeders’ Cup Betting Challenge, wrote the book A Bettor Way of Thinking. He talks about his strategies for betting on races and in handicapping tournaments. One step he takes is avoiding past performances. He also discusses why he and his fellow Chicagoland players have been so successful in high-profile tournaments. Co-hosts John Cherwa of the Los Angeles Times and Keith Nelson of Fairmount Park share anecdotes about what is trending on social media, an e-game that might be all too real and the perils of waking up at odd hours in the winter. 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.
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S9E13: The best horse-racing movies
01/09/2026
S9E13: The best horse-racing movies
From “A Day at the Races” to “Let It Ride” to “Seabiscuit,” racing movies have had an important corner of the film world. The best of them and some bad ones are the subject of this week’s Ron Flatter Racing Pod. Allen Johnson, who has been the film writer for 25 years at the San Francisco Chronicle, and Richard Migliore, the New York Racing Association TV analyst and lifelong movie buff, compare their thoughts and criticisms. Eleven movies were selected for their review, including: “A Day at the Races” “Boots Malone” “Casey’s Shadow” “Easy Money” “Let It Ride” “National Velvet” “Phar Lap” “Racetrack” “Saratoga” “Seabiscuit” “Secretariat” Some films get more attention than others, and where they disagree may be a surprise. They also discuss some movies not provided on the list. Co-hosts John Cherwa of the Los Angeles Times and Keith Nelson of Fairmount Park also weigh in with their thoughts about racing films. 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.
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S9E12: Hot and other takes on Eclipse Awards
01/02/2026
S9E12: Hot and other takes on Eclipse Awards
Discussion and debate about the 2025 Eclipse Awards are featured on the first 2026 episode of the Ron Flatter Racing Pod. Sara Elbadwi of Fox Sports and the New York Racing Association, Steve Kornacki of NBC News and Sports, Jessica Paquette from Parx and two-time Eclipse Award-winning writer John Scheinman from Baltimore get together in a panel discussion going in-depth on every championship category. Kentucky Derby and Belmont Stakes winner Sovereignty may be the leading candidate for horse of the year, but did Breeders’ Cup Classic victor Forever Young do enough in his one U.S. appearance to change voters’ minds? The panel talks about that possibility and the potential backlash against connections for holding Sovereignty out of the Preakness Stakes. There are plenty of clashing opinions and even a discussion about contentious abstentions from the votes for the steeplechase horse and apprentice jockey. Co-hosts John Cherwa of the Los Angeles Times and Keith Nelson of Fairmount Park also weigh in with their overarching views of the Eclipse Awards, including ideas on how they ought to be changed. 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.
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S9E11: Bicoastal auld lang 2025
12/26/2025
S9E11: Bicoastal auld lang 2025
The postponed opening day at Santa Anita and a Pegasus preview at Gulfstream Park are the main points of discussion this week in the final 2025 episode of the Ron Flatter Racing Pod. Horse owner, player and handicapper Jon Lindo previews Sunday’s card at Santa Anita. That is where Hall of Fame trainer Bob Baffert has five entrants in the $300,000 Malibu Stakes, the last Grade 1 race of the season for 3-year-olds. He also examines the latest developments in the future of racing in Southern California. Mark Cornett of C2 Racing Stable talks about White Abarrio, who is entered in the Mr. Prospector (G3) on Saturday at Gulfstream. The race is a prep for next month’s Pegasus World Cup Invitational (G1), which White Abarrio won last year. Cornett also talks about the controversial veterinarian scratch of the multimillionaire horse from the Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile. Handicapper Ed DeRosa examines weekend races on both coasts and offers tips for bettors. 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.
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S9E10: A racing Christmas around the world
12/19/2025
S9E10: A racing Christmas around the world
A holiday celebration turns into a world tour with visits with friends from Japan, England and Australia this week on the Ron Flatter Racing Pod. Kate Hunter checks in from her home base in Japan, where Forever Young provided bookended highlights this year with his triumphs in the Group 1 Saudi Cup and the Breeders’ Cup Classic. The Nashville native who has been based for 17 years across the Pacific also looks ahead to Kentucky Derby 2026, a race Japan still has on its to-do list. Senior writer Lee Mottershead of Racing Post offers Europe’s year-end review from England. He highlights Calandagan’s rise to stardom with victories in the King George (G1) and British Champion (G1) before a rare win for international interests last month in the Japan Cup (G1). He also describes the impact of the controversial Great Britain government affordability checks on horseplayers, and he has an update on his cancer diagnosis from this summer. Steve Moran, a longtime racing journalist in Australia, joins in a conversation from Melbourne. He highlights Jamie Melham’s pioneering victory aboard Half Yours in the Melbourne Cup (G1) marking only the second time a woman has ridden to victory in the race that stops a nation. There also is his check list of three tracks all racing fans must visit in their lifetimes. Co-hosts John Cherwa of the Los Angeles Times and Keith Nelson from Fairmount Park talk about their Christmas plans and remember some some off-beat celebrations from years past. 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.
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S9E9: 3 TV guys & lots of stories
12/12/2025
S9E9: 3 TV guys & lots of stories
Three people who have been involved with popular sports television shows also have horse racing in common. One more thing. They are on this week’s Ron Flatter Racing Pod. David Israel, the former chairperson of the California Horse Racing Board, takes time for a rare interview. He talks about what he would like to see change with the sport as well as his favorite races and his experience as a young sports writer covering the miracle on ice at the 1980 Winter Olympics in Lake Placid, N.Y. Sportscaster Kenny Mayne and TV producer Matt Doyle return for part 2 of a conversation which began with their stories about covering the ancient Palio di Siena bareback race in Italy. They have more stories about their international travel for Mayne’s Wider World of Sports on ESPN. Co-hosts John Cherwa of the Los Angeles Times and Keith Nelson from Fairmount Park talk about some of their sports experiences and what remains atop their to-do lists. 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.
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S9E8: Lighting last Cigar at Aqueduct
12/05/2025
S9E8: Lighting last Cigar at Aqueduct
With Belmont Park reopening to nearly year-round racing next fall, the Grade 2 Cigar Mile Handicap will be run at Aqueduct for the last time this weekend. The day’s top races are previewed on the Ron Flatter Racing Pod. NYRABets analyst and Gallop Out podcast co-host Kaylie Shapiro offers her thoughts about the feature race of the fall meet as well as the Remsen Stakes (G2), a points prep for Kentucky Derby 2026. Crazy Mason challenges the likes of Bishops Bay and Phileas Fogg in the Cigar Mile. His trainer Gregg Sacco offers his assessment of how the race will be run. Mike Shutty handicaps the outcome of the Cigar Mile and the Remsen through the lens of his Super Screener. Co-hosts John Cherwa of the Los Angeles Times and Keith Nelson from Fairmount Park join in the reading of and reacting to listener and reader feedback. 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.
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S9E7: Gobble, gobble, Florida and Churchill
11/27/2025
S9E7: Gobble, gobble, Florida and Churchill
The long holiday weekend of stakes action at Churchill Downs and what could be another long winter in the Florida decoupling drama are the main topics this week on the Ron Flatter Racing Pod. Former Kentucky state senator Damon Thayer provides his updated point of view from his role in the fight to keep Gulfstream Park from splitting its racing and gaming licenses. He also responds to what the Florida Thoroughbred Breeders and Owners Association said about who was most responsible for defeating a decoupling bill this year in the state legislature. Hall of Fame trainer Steve Asmussen discusses Magnitude’s run Friday in the Grade 2 Clark and his 2-year-olds who are going in Saturday stakes at Churchill. He also reflects on the recent achievement of his 11,000th victory, raising his high-water mark among North America trainers. Paddock Prince handicapper David Levitch has tips for the Clark and Mrs. Revere (G2) on Friday and the Kentucky Jockey Club (G2) and Golden Rod (G2) on Saturday at Churchill Downs. Co-hosts John Cherwa of the Los Angeles Times and Keith Nelson of Fairmount Park offer their thoughts about listener and reader feedback about who should be horse of the year. 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.
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S9E6: A racing podcast with podcasters
11/21/2025
S9E6: A racing podcast with podcasters
What goes into making a successful podcast for horseplayers and fans? The answers are the subject of a roundtable discussion this week on the Ron Flatter Racing Pod. Hosts Pete Fornatale of the In the Money Players Podcast, Ryan Anderson and Jackson Muniz from the Gallop Out Podcast and Tatiana Ryann from the Business-y Podcast compare and contrast notes and strategies about their programs. Some of the topics include how they present racing content in unique ways, their attempts to find their own voices in a space crowded with listening choices, whether video will push audio aside and, most challenging, how to make podcasts profitable. The hosts also offer glimpses into their backgrounds and how they see their futures in podcasting playing out in the short and long term. Co-hosts John Cherwa of the Los Angeles Times and Keith Nelson from Fairmount Park offer their own experiences in finding their paths to success in newspapers and track announcing at a time when businesses are downsizing. As a bonus, the RFRP auditions a new musical theme that was generated by AI. The reviews are mixed. 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.
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S9E5: Gone fishin’ with the Reeds
11/14/2025
S9E5: Gone fishin’ with the Reeds
Taking a new turn this week, the Ron Flatter Racing Pod is off on a fishing expedition at a pond in Scott County, Kentucky. Eric Reed, who trained Rich Strike to an 80-1 upset victory in Kentucky Derby 2022, is joined by his father Herbie Reed, who living with cancer. While fishing for crappie and bass and shellcrackers from the shore of Lake Tyson, the Reeds reminisce about their lives. Herbie Reed recalls how he and his wife became teenage parents and why he tried to steer Eric away from the horse business that had been his life the generation before. The Reeds also take a trip back to May 7, 2022, when Rich Strike won the Derby. They remember where they were throughout the experience of a lifetime. Eric Reed’s first 2022 interview for the RFRP also is replayed, and co-hosts John Cherwa of the Los Angeles Times and Keith Nelson of Fairmount Park discuss “American Sportsman” and “Wild Kingdom,” two shows that inspired this episode. 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.
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S9E4: Breeders’ Cup epilogue, if vets allow it
11/07/2025
S9E4: Breeders’ Cup epilogue, if vets allow it
Forever Young’s victory in the Breeders’ Cup Classic will be celebrated by racing fans in Japan for generations to come. It will be reviewed in America one more time on this week’s Ron Flatter Racing Pod. Handicapper and workout analyst Bruno De Julio spent nearly two weeks at Del Mar covering the championships from the first morning workout to the final race last weekend. He offers his assessment of the strategy and quality of the standout performances and the biggest disappointments. There also is a lively debate about the 13 scratches made by veterinarians to remove horses like Sovereignty and White Abarrio from their races. Are the doctors right to err on the side of safety, or have they gone too far with their power? Co-host Keith Nelson of Fairmount Park offers his perspective, and John Cherwa of the Los Angeles Times interrupts a book project to make a cameo appearance. 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.
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S9E3: Creeders’ Bup, er, Breeders’ Cup with Biancone, Toffey, Levitch
10/31/2025
S9E3: Creeders’ Bup, er, Breeders’ Cup with Biancone, Toffey, Levitch
Breeders’ Cup 2025 brings together 14 divisions of racing into as many races this week at Del Mar. It also becomes common ground for the media, horsemen and handicappers, each of whom is represented on this week’s Friday episode of the Ron Flatter Racing Pod. FanDuel TV’s Andie Biancone provides her perspective not only as an analyst but also a morning exercise rider for the likes of her father, trainer Patrick Biancone. She has snapshot thoughts about both days of championship races. General manager Ned Toffey discusses Spendthrift Farm’s string of Breeders’ Cup horses, including Kopion’s first try against males in the Sprint, undefeated 2-year-old Tommy Jo in the Juvenile Fillies and the 3-for-3 favorite Ted Noffey in the Juvenile. Toffey even gets a lesson in how spoonerism applies to the colt who is sort of named for him. Paddock Prince handicapper David Levitch analyzes the Distaff and Classic and how the scratch of Sovereignty affects the way he will bet. John Cherwa from the Los Angeles Times and Keith Nelson of Fairmount Park co-host. 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. Check out the Breeders’ Cup hard-core handicappers episode of the Ron Flatter Racing Pod in video or audio form at the links below.
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S9E2: Breeders’ Cup hard-core handicappers pop-up
10/28/2025
S9E2: Breeders’ Cup hard-core handicappers pop-up
Fierceness from New York and Forever Young from Japan stand out among older horses. So does Sierra Leone, who looks for a rare repeat victory. Horse-of-the-year frontrunner Sovereignty was reported to have a fever. They are the storylines going into the $7 million Classic. The race may provide the climax, but it is only part of the Breeders’ Cup. For the ninth year in a row, the two richest days of U.S. horse racing are featured on a hard-core handicappers episode of the Ron Flatter Racing Pod. All 14 championship races at Del Mar are analyzed in depth by a panel of three expert handicappers. Mark Midland and Ed DeRosa provide their expertise from Horse Racing Nation’s home in Louisville, Ky. FanDuel TV analyst Caton Bredar offers her tips from Del Mar. The panel takes turns offering individual views on the five races Friday and nine Saturday with discussion and debate throughout. They also will have tips on each of the championship stakes as well as a summation of their best bets at the end of the episode. The Ron Flatter Racing Pod via Horse Racing Nation is available via free subscription from Apple, Google and Spotify as well as HorseRacingNation.com.
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S9E1: Damn computers
10/24/2025
S9E1: Damn computers
The prevailing thought that computer bettors have become the bane of the average American horseplayer has been burnished with news that the Breeders’ Cup will not carry on Del Mar’s two-minutes-to-post cut-off of batch wagers. It was exacerbated further during the Keeneland fall meet with the big odds changes after races already had started. With new controversies boiling over, the Ron Flatter Racing Pod focuses on the cry of CAW, computer-assisted wagering, in this week’s episode. Horse owner, player and economics professor Marshall Gramm from Rhodes College in Memphis, Tenn., joins the podcast for an in-depth discussion of how the two-minute cut-off has impacted California and New York racetracks and how its absence at Keeneland has been noticed. He also reacts to the Breeders’ Cup saying that its pools are so liquid that there has not been an obvious impact from team wagerers. Super Screener creator Mike Shutty offers his early handicapping angles on next week’s Breeders’ Cup 2025 races at Del Mar as well as tips for Saturday’s running of the Grade 3 Fayette Stakes at Keeneland. Listener and reader feedback with co-hosts John Cherwa and Keith Nelson focuses on the idea of pushing the Breeders’ Cup to December and returning it to a one-day event, which it was until 2007. 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.
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S8E57: World view of Breeders’ Cup
10/17/2025
S8E57: World view of Breeders’ Cup
Breeders’ Cup 2025 bills itself as the world championships, and international horses will be front and center. They are the focus of this week’s Ron Flatter Racing Pod. Kate Hunter, who is the Japan liaison for big races in the U.S., offers her expertise on horses like Forever Young, who tries to improve on last year’s third-place performance in the Breeders’ Cup Classic. Maddy Playle of Racing Post offers a preview of this weekend’s British Champions day at Ascot, England, as well as a snapshot of the Europe shippers who will be at Del Mar in two weeks. Back home, Ed DeRosa has weekend handicapping for races in North America including the graded-stakes card at Keeneland. Co-hosts John Cherwa of the Los Angeles Times and Keith Nelson of Fairmount Park are along for listener and reader feedback. 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.
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S8E56: Mattress Mack, Motion, Midland, mmm, good
10/10/2025
S8E56: Mattress Mack, Motion, Midland, mmm, good
With a lull before the Breeders’ Cup, some comings and goings for races this week and for the long term are the focus of the Ron Flatter Racing Pod. Mattress Mack said he is done with horse racing. Texas businessman, former horse owner and renowned sports gambler Jim McIngvale says in his own words why he has left the game after 30 years. Laurelin takes her 5-for-5 record to the Grade 1 Queen Elizabeth II Challenge Cup at Keeneland. Her trainer Graham Motion talks about the filly, the race, his stable and his possible runners in the Breeders’ Cup. Horse Racing Nation handicapper Mark Midland offers weekend handicapping. Co-hosts John Cherwa of the Los Angeles Times and Keith Nelson of Fairmount Park help go through listener and reader feedback. The podcast also pays tribute to the late Los Angeles TV host, handicapper and racehorse owner Jeff Siegel with the playback of one of his interviews. 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.
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S8E55: Breeders’ Cup puzzle comes together
10/03/2025
S8E55: Breeders’ Cup puzzle comes together
Eight Grade 1 races are spread across America this week. Fifteen Breeders’ Cup qualifiers make this an overflow weekend that includes super Saturday at Aqueduct, Keeneland and Santa Anita. All this makes for a stacked episode of the Ron Flatter Racing Pod. The Keeneland fall season opens this week with five Grade 1s. In her new role with the racetrack, former FanDuel TV host Gabby Gaudet offers a preview. Fourteen graded stakes feature 2-year-olds including It’s Our Time, the buzz horse who won by 17 3/4 lengths in his August debut at Saratoga. Trainer Tom Amoss discusses the Not This Time colt when he previews the Champagne Stakes (G1) at the Belmont at Aqueduct meet. Horse Racing Nation handicapper Ed DeRosa offers weekend handicapping for races across the country. Co-hosts John Cherwa of the Los Angeles Times and Keith Nelson of Fairmount Park help go through listener and reader feedback. 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.
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S8E54: Rudulph and the Goodwood are back
09/26/2025
S8E54: Rudulph and the Goodwood are back
The Grade 1 Goodwood Stakes at Santa Anita and the return of a familiar media personality are the focus of the Ron Flatter Racing Pod. Former FanDuel TV host Ken Rudulph talks about what he is doing now and his thoughts about the sport he used to cover daily. He also weighs in with his forecast for the Goodwood. Trainer Brad Cox discusses First Mission’s bid to get his first Grade 1 win when he races in the feature at Santa Anita. He also talks about multimillionaire Hit Show’s bid to win the Lukas Classic (G2) for the second year in a row as well as some of his other potential Breeders’ Cup horses. Paddock Prince handicapper David Levitch zeroes in on weekend races at the Belmont at Aqueduct and Churchill Downs September meets. Co-hosts John Cherwa of the Los Angeles Times and Keith Nelson of Fairmount Park help go through listener and reader feedback. 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.
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S8E53: $1 million x 2 Grade 1s in Pennsylvania
09/19/2025
S8E53: $1 million x 2 Grade 1s in Pennsylvania
The Pennsylvania Derby and Cotillion, a pair of Grade 1, $1 million stakes for 3-year-olds, will be run this weekend at Parx. They also are the focus of the Ron Flatter Racing Pod. Track announcer Jessica Paquette checks in from Parx to discuss the two races and their context in the 2025 championship picture. She also provides perspective on the arc of the 3-year-old season for both males and females. Breeder and co-owner Robert Clay talks about Pennsylvania Derby favorite Baeza, the productivity and sale of his dam Puca and how he changed the direction of his Grandview Equine operation to focus on colts who have turned into classic winners. Super Screener creator Mike Shutty offers tips on the Gallant Bob (G2), the Cotillion and the Pennsylvania Derby at Parx. Co-hosts John Cherwa of the Los Angeles Times and Keith Nelson of Fairmount Park help field feedback from listeners and readers about Churchill Downs continuing to penalize Kentucky Derby preps that lure small fields. 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.
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S8E52: 1st steps on Kentucky Derby 2026 trail
09/12/2025
S8E52: 1st steps on Kentucky Derby 2026 trail
The first race carrying points toward qualifying for Kentucky Derby 2026 arrives this weekend, and it is the focus of the Ron Flatter Racing Pod. TV analyst Kaitlin Free offers a preview of Saturday’s Grade 3 Iroquois Stakes at Churchill Downs and the context it has not only for next year’s Triple Crown series but the final four months of the 2025 racing season. Eddie Kenneally trains Comport, the morning-line favorite for the Iroquois. He is at the Keeneland September yearling sale, which is where he identified the colt around this time last year. Handicapper Ed DeRosa has tips for the Iroquois as well as Saturday’s Pocahontas (G3), the first points race for the Kentucky Oaks (G1), and the Woodbine Mile (G1). Co-hosts John Cherwa of the Los Angeles Times and Keith Nelson of Fairmount Park join in the reading of feedback from listeners and readers. 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.
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S8E51: Like a racetrack on a golf course
09/05/2025
S8E51: Like a racetrack on a golf course
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 boutique, all-turf meet on the Tennessee border. He is asked whether he will go all in again on Grand Sonata, the defender in the Grade 2, $2.5 million Kentucky Turf Cup who was key to his contest triumph last summer. Horse Racing Nation’s Mark Midland offers weekend handicapping for Kentucky Downs and Colonial Downs. Co-hosts John Cherwa of the Los Angeles Times and Keith Nelson of Fairmount Park join in the response to listener and reader feedback. 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.
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