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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S8E42: A visit to Fairmount and tips for Saratoga
07/04/2025
S8E42: A visit to Fairmount and tips for Saratoga
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 president of the Illinois Horsemen’s Benevolent and Protective Association, discusses the challenges facing owners and trainers like him who continue to race their horses at both Fairmount and at Hawthorne in suburban Chicago. He also expresses his optimism about the potential expansion of racing at Fairmount beyond its current Tuesday-and-Saturday schedule. With the Saratoga summer getting an early start, handicapper Ed DeRosa offers tips for the Saturday’s card highlighted by the Grade 1 Belmont Derby Invitational. He also has analysis for other races from the holiday-weekend menu across the country. Fairmount track announcer Keith Nelson fills in for John Cherwa as this week’s 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.
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S8E41: Pop-up tribute to the late D. Wayne Lukas
06/30/2025
S8E41: Pop-up tribute to the late D. Wayne Lukas
Hall of Fame trainer and racing icon D. Wayne Lukas is remembered on this special, pop-up episode of the Ron Flatter Racing Pod. The late Hall of Fame trainer died Saturday at age 89. He appeared on the RFRP nine times, and those interviews plus others dating to his first Kentucky Derby victory with Winning Colors in 1988 are replayed on this special episode. An indelible memory came in 2013, when Oxbow won the Preakness, a victory which marked a career renaissance for Lukas. He told the media if they wanted to talk to him the morning after that they had to show up at 4:30 a.m. EDT at the Pimlico stakes barn. Four of the people who took him up on that are on a panel discussion in this episode, including Alicia Hughes, Mike Gathagan, Steve Haskin and Flatter. Co-host John Cherwa of the Los Angeles Times brings the show together as do replays of old interviews with Lukas, who appeared on the RFRP nine times, most recently last month. With regular episodes available every Friday morning, 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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S8E40: Why Scheinman is the mayor of Pimlico, old and new
06/27/2025
S8E40: Why Scheinman is the mayor of Pimlico, old and new
He balks at the idea that he is the mayor of Pimlico, but longtime Baltimore fixture John Scheinman easily could fill that role. He has been a regular in the old press box for decades in his roles as a two-time Eclipse Award-winning turf writer and as a dyed-in-the-wool horseplayer. Scheinman is the lone guest this week on the Ron Flatter Racing Pod. He talks about the can’t-miss-him presence he has brought to Pimlico and tells stories about the last days of the old track before its planned demolition this summer and redevelopment in the next two years. Scheinman offers critical commentary about the reconfiguring of Maryland racing with the exit of The Stronach Group and the emergence of the new Maryland Jockey Club. He even has thoughts about the impact the new Pimlico will have on the Park Heights neighborhood in Baltimore. Asked to assume the imagined role of racing czar, Scheinman offered ideas on how he would lure fans back to the Preakness and how confident he is that the new racetrack and grandstand at Pimlico can meet his hopes. 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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S8E39: Tales and lessons from jockey super agent Ron Anderson
06/20/2025
S8E39: Tales and lessons from jockey super agent Ron Anderson
Ron Anderson has been the jockey agent to the stars. In more than a half-century in racing, he has collected a lot of stories. He tells some of them on this week’s episode of the Ron Flatter Racing Pod. Anderson talks about what it takes to be a good jockey agent, how it is a difficult craft to teach and how old-fashioned, face-to-face communication is vital to succeeding in his role. It is not just successes that have defined his career. Anderson tells his famous story of a star horse that got away from one of his clients. He also talks about how bettors can relate to his ups and downs. With Gary Stevens, Jerry Bailey, Garrett Gómez and Chris Antley among his former clients, Anderson discusses how he juggles diverse personalities, especially with his current stars Frankie Dettori and Joel Rosario. Anderson also applies his vast experience in racing to say what he might change about the game if he had his way. 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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S8E38: Future of Pimlico, Preakness and Maryland with Bill Knauf
06/13/2025
S8E38: Future of Pimlico, Preakness and Maryland with Bill Knauf
This is the summer when old Pimlico is scheduled to be torn down with a new racecourse grandstand being built in time for Preakness 2027. How will that concept become a reality? On this week’s Ron Flatter Racing Pod, new Maryland Jockey Club president and general manager Bill Knauf gets into the details as the episode’s sole guest. Knauf discusses his more than quarter-century at Monmouth Park, where he worked hand in hand with a management team which brought sports betting and fixed-odds wagering to the Jersey Shore racetrack. The move of the Preakness to Laurel Park in 2026 and whether the new Pimlico will be ready in time for the 2027 renewal also comes up. The conversation covers how the new Pimlico may look and when plans may be finalized for the rebuilding of the Baltimore racetrack. Knauf offers thoughts about whether the $400 million budgeted for the project will be enough to cover the cost. Knauf also talks about the future of racing in the mid-Atlantic region, especially the relationship the new Maryland Jockey Club will have with its neighbors in Virginia. Of course any discussion of Pimlico will lead to thoughts about the spacing of the three Triple Crown races and whether it should 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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S8E37: Wolfendale, Shirreffs, Levitch talk Belmont Stakes
06/06/2025
S8E37: Wolfendale, Shirreffs, Levitch talk Belmont Stakes
The Belmont Stakes rematch of this year’s classic winners Sovereignty and Journalism is the focus of this week’s Ron Flatter Racing Pod. Maggie Wolfendale-Morley from New York Racing Association TV and Fox Sports is at Saratoga, where she paints the scene for this second year the Belmont migrates to its home away from home. She offers a snapshot of the race with some angles that might not be so obvious to handicappers. Trainer John Shirreffs discusses Baeza, who has all the makings of the wise-guy horse in this year’s Belmont field. He also extolls the virtues of Saratoga, particularly as a haven for horses. Paddock Prince handicapper David Levitch has advice on how to bet an all-Grade 1 trio of races, namely the Woody Stephens, the Manhattan and the Belmont Stakes. The hard-core handicappers Johnny Avello, Ed DeRosa and Mark Midland have bonus picks for Saturday’s Saratoga undercard. Co-host John Cherwa of the Los Angeles Times joins in the reading of audience feedback to last week’s column pining for a Kentucky Derby victor to win again, just as Mystik Dan did last Saturday in the Blame Stakes (G3) at Churchill Downs. 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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S8E36: Hard-core handicappers pop up for Belmont Stakes
06/03/2025
S8E36: Hard-core handicappers pop up for Belmont Stakes
Deep analysis of every horse in Belmont Stakes 2025 is ready to hear now from the hard-core handicappers in their latest pop-up episode of the Ron Flatter Racing Pod. Horse Racing Nation handicappers Mark Midland and Ed DeRosa are joined by DraftKings Sportsbook director Johnny Avello. They go through the entire field, 1 through 8, including Kentucky Derby winner Sovereignty and Preakness winner Journalism. How will they play the two classic winners, and how short is too short to bet them to win or in exotics? How will the wise-guy status of Baeza or the presence of Bob Baffert with Rodríguez skew the odds? Who are the pretenders amid the contenders? Where is the value? How will the horses take to the track at Saratoga? The panel answers all those questions. 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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S8E35: Mystik Dan, the Belmont & Monsieur Clément
05/30/2025
S8E35: Mystik Dan, the Belmont & Monsieur Clément
A preliminary look at next week’s running of Belmont Stakes 2025 and a preview of this weekend’s return of Kentucky Derby 2024 winner Mystik Dan to Churchill Downs are the centers of attention on this week’s Ron Flatter Racing Pod. From the New York Racing Association and Fox Sports, former jockey Richard Migliore offers his perspective on the Triple Crown and how the rematch of Sovereignty and Journalism might unfold next Saturday. He also offers his thoughts about Júnior Alvarado, Umberto Rispoli and their winning rides in the Kentucky Derby and Preakness and all the controversy that went with them. Brian Hernandez Jr., who rode Mystik Dan and Thorpedo Anna to triumphs last year in the Kentucky Derby and Grade 1 Kentucky Oaks, discusses both horses and their upcoming races. He focuses most of his attention on Saturday’s running of the Blame Stakes (G3), where Mystik Dan tries to get his first victory since last year’s Derby. Super Screener creator Mike Shutty has some early thoughts about the Belmont Stakes and specific tips for the Arlington (G3), Blame and Regret (G3) on Saturday at Churchill Downs. Co-host John Cherwa from the Los Angeles Times joins in the feedback from listeners and readers reacting to the death of trainer Christophe Clément. The Ron Flatter Racing Pod via Horse Racing Nation is available via free siption from Apple, Firefox, iHeart and Spotify as well as HorseRacingNation.com.
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S8E34: How would you rule on Preakness 2025?
05/23/2025
S8E34: How would you rule on Preakness 2025?
The Preakness 2025 hangover has not been cured yet, and why should it? One of the great races of all time is subject to review as the Belmont Stakes looms on the horizon on the Ron Flatter Racing Pod. Two-time Eclipse Award-winning turf writer John Scheinman from Baltimore has his thoughts about the race, the Triple Crown schedule and the future of racing in Maryland with old Pimlico scheduled to be demolished this year. Bernie Hettel, the former top steward in Kentucky and Arkansas, weighs in with his opinion about Journalism’s squeeze to victory in the Preakness and who should have been disqualified if anyone in one of the most physical stretch runs in Triple Crown history. He also has thoughts about the crop penalty assessed to jockey Júnior Alvarado in riding Sovereignty to a Kentucky Derby triumph. Ed DeRosa looks ahead to the holiday weekend with handicapping of races at Santa Anita and Churchill Downs. Co-host John Cherwa helps to go over some of the listener and reader feedback about Journalism’s Preakness victory. 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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S8E33: Preakness one more time at old Pimlico
05/16/2025
S8E33: Preakness one more time at old Pimlico
This weekend may be for the last time when Preakness 2025 is run at old Pimlico. It is the site for this week’s Ron Flatter Racing Pod. Michael McCarthy, the trainer of Journalism, discusses the timeline since his colt finished second in the Kentucky Derby and how he looks at being the favorite for the Preakness. Trainer Jamie Osborne talks about the reasons he decided not to bring Heart of Honor from across the Atlantic to race in the Derby and why he chose the Preakness for this colt and his daughter Saffie to ride in the U.S. From 1/ST Racing, the outgoing managers of the Preakness, TV host and analyst Ron Nicoletti and executive vice president Mike Rogers discuss not only Saturday’s classic but also the transition of the Preakness and the rest of the state’s racing to the new Maryland Jockey Club. Paddock Prince handicapper David Levitch offers analysis of both the Grade 2 Black-Eyed Susan on Friday and the Preakness on Saturday, even offering advice based on the weather whether it is rain or shine. Co-host John Cherwa from the Los Angeles Times discusses the big fine incurred by jockey Júnior Alvarado for overuse of the riding crop on Sovereignty to win the Kentucky Derby. They also look at listener and reader feedback about the idea to expand the Triple Crown by one 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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S8E32: Preakness pop-up with hard-core handicappers
05/13/2025
S8E32: Preakness pop-up with hard-core handicappers
From Pimlico in Baltimore, deep analysis of every horse in Preakness 2025 is ready to hear now from the hard-core handicappers in their latest pop-up episode of the Ron Flatter Racing Pod. Horse Racing Nation handicappers Mark Midland and Ed DeRosa are joined by DraftKings Sportsbook director Johnny Avello. They go through the entire field from 1 to 9, including morning-line favorite and Kentucky Derby runner-up Journalism. How will they play Journalism, and how short is too short to bet him to win or even in exotics? Will the social-media popularity of Sandman skew his odds? How about Bob Baffert’s new shooter Goal Oriented and the almost forgotten graded-stakes winner Gosger? Who are the pretenders amid the contenders? Where is the value? The panel answers all those questions. 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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S8E31: Taking lessons from Derby to Preakness
05/09/2025
S8E31: Taking lessons from Derby to Preakness
Lessons learned from the Kentucky Derby are applied to Preakness 2025 on this week’s Ron Flatter Racing Pod. A familiar voice in the tri-state area, Mike Francesa talks about his successful exacta play pairing Sovereignty and Journalism last week in the Derby. He also talks about his relationship as a horse owner with Hall of Fame trainer Bill Mott and the decision to leave Sovereignty out of the Preakness. He even has some thoughts about the election of Pope Leo XIV. The nation’s leading workout analyst Bruno De Julio reviews some of the clues he saw in the morning that he applied to the Derby. He certainly had his successes, but he also admits to something he did not see coming. Of course he also weighs in on the scuttling of a Triple Crown opportunity in 2025. Super Screener creator Mike Shutty had a successful Derby, and he already is looking ahead with angles for the Preakness. He also handicaps Saturday’s key stakes in the Belmont at Aqueduct meet, including the Grade 2 Ruffian for older fillies and mares and the Peter Pan (G3), the traditional prep for the Belmont Stakes. Co-host John Cherwa of the Los Angeles Times reviews the Derby, looks ahead to the Preakness and offers his reaction to some of the listener and reader feedback about whether the Triple Crown schedule needs 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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S8E30: A Kentucky Derby cast of thousands, or 13
05/02/2025
S8E30: A Kentucky Derby cast of thousands, or 13
From 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.
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S8E29: Pop-up with Kentucky Derby hard-core handicappers
04/27/2025
S8E29: Pop-up with Kentucky Derby hard-core handicappers
Deep analysis of every horse in Kentucky Derby 2025 is ready to hear now with the hard-core handicappers pop-up episode of the Ron Flatter Racing Pod. Horse Racing Nation handicappers Ed DeRosa and Mark Midland and DraftKings Sportsbook director Johnny Avello in Las Vegas go through the entire field from the favorite Journalism to the longest of long shots. They evaluate every horse from 1 to 20 plus no. 21 Baeza, who could add to the four also-eligibles who have shown up in the superfecta since the Derby points era began 12 years ago. How will they play the favorite Journalism? Will Sovereign and Sandman figure prominently on their tickets? Who are the tosses, and who are the value plays? The panel answers all those questions The Ron Flatter Racing Pod via Horse Racing Nation is posted every Friday with pop-ups like this one for Triple Crown and Breeders’ Cup races. It is available via free subscription from Apple, Firefox, iHeart and Spotify as well as HorseRacingNation.com.
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S8E28: You are listening live to 2 HofF’ers
04/25/2025
S8E28: You are listening live to 2 HofF’ers
Two Hall of Famers and a successful handicapper line up to preview Kentucky Derby 2025 this week on the Ron Flatter Racing Pod. Six-time Derby winner Bob Baffert discusses his Grade 2 Wood Memorial winner Rodríguez, 2024 champion juvenile male Citizen Bull and his return to Churchill Downs with a lineup of horses for more than just the Derby. Brent Musburger, who was just announced as the Pete Rozelle Award winner by the Pro Football Hall of Fame, talks about some of his memorable visits to the Derby as well as his handicapping thoughts for next Saturday. Super Screener creator Mike Shutty offers some of the overarching views he has about the run for the roses, especially the anticipated pace of the race and how to grade Japan runners Luxor Café and Admire Daytona. Co-host John Cherwa of the Los Angeles Times joins in the 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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S8E27: Kentucky Derby talk with Cox, Hazelton and Midland
04/18/2025
S8E27: Kentucky Derby talk with Cox, Hazelton and Midland
From Churchill Downs, Kentucky Derby 2025 talk intensifies on the Ron Flatter Racing Pod. Two-time Eclipse Award-winning trainer Brad Cox discusses Grade 1 Florida Derby winner Tappan Street and Jeff Ruby Steaks (G3) victor Final Gambit, his two horses for the Derby. He also talks about undefeated Good Cheer, who will be the favorite in the Kentucky Oaks (G1). FanDuel TV’s Scott Hazelton offers his early thoughts on handicapping the Derby, especially the horses he has watched in the flesh as well as Luxor Café and Admire Daytona, the two colts from Japan who he will be seeing for the first time. He also talks about Hall of Fame trainer Bob Baffert’s return to the race that he has won six times and whether he sees a seventh trophy going back to Southern California. Horse Racing Nation’s Mark Midland handicaps two Preakness qualifiers at Oaklawn and Laurel Park as well as the graded stakes Saturday at Keeneland. He also has some early thoughts about the Kentucky Derby. Co-host John Cherwa joins to field listener and reader feedback and throw his $2 worth into the Derby conversation. 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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S8E26: Look who's back: Zipse with Casse, DeRosa and Derby talk
04/11/2025
S8E26: Look who's back: Zipse with Casse, DeRosa and Derby talk
Three weeks before Kentucky Derby 2025, America’s biggest race dominates the discussion on this week’s Ron Flatter Racing Pod. Brian Zipse, the longtime co-host of HorseCenter, makes his first appearance since he was sidelined with severe hearing loss. Thanks to technology, he is able to field questions about the Derby, his trip Saturday to see Thorpedo Anna in the Grade 1 Apple Blossom Handicap at Oaklawn and how he has been doing. U.S. and Canada hall of famer Mark Casse talks about the horses he is training in the Derby and the Kentucky Oaks (G1), namely Arkansas Derby (G1) victor Sandman and Ashland (G1) winner La Cara. He also touches on some of the political issues facing horse racing. Ed DeRosa offers some broad brushstrokes about his betting strategy for the Kentucky Derby and specifics on how he is playing three graded stakes this weekend at Keeneland. Co-host John Cherwa of the Los Angeles Times checks in from Florida to hlep field 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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S8E25: Dutrow, Jaime and Shutty & 3 Kentucky Derby preps
04/04/2025
S8E25: Dutrow, Jaime and Shutty & 3 Kentucky Derby preps
With only four weeks left until Kentucky Derby 2025, the last three major qualifying preps have the attention of this week’s Ron Flatter Racing Pod. Derby-winning trainer Rick Dutrow discusses Captain Cook, one of the top contenders in what is expected to be a wet running Saturday of the Grade 2 Wood Memorial at Aqueduct. Dutrow talks about whether the weather will benefit his colt and how the race will be run. He also talks about the two years he has been back in racing after his 10-year suspension ended. FanDuel TV analyst Joaquin Jaime looks at the overall Kentucky Derby picture, including the showdown between consensus futures favorite Journalism and Eclipse Award winner Citizen Bull in the Santa Anita Derby (G1) on Saturday. There also will be conversation about the Wood and about Tuesday’s Blue Grass (G1) at Keeneland. Super Screener creator Mike Shutty zeroes in on each of the three Derby qualifiers, and co-host John Cherwa of the Los Angeles Times checks in from California to field 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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S8E24: Fla. & Ark. derbies + a tribute to Bryce Miller
03/28/2025
S8E24: Fla. & Ark. derbies + a tribute to Bryce Miller
Handicapping of Kentucky Derby 2025 qualifiers this weekend and a tribute to the late San Diego columnist Bryce Miller take center stage on the Ron Flatter Racing Pod. Del Mar president Joe Harper offers a tribute to Miller, whose turf writing took him from the seaside track to Triple Crown races to Breeders’ Cups. Colleagues reminisce about a newspaper career that took Miller from his native Iowa to USA Today to the San Diego Union-Tribune. Former sports editor Jay Posner and podcast co-host and Los Angeles Times contributor John Cherwa share stories about their working with Miller. Highlights of a 2022 interview with Miller will be replayed, including an infamous story about an Iowa man whose embarrassment about something he left in his car led him to a $2.2 million lottery win. Paddock Prince handicapper David Levitch focuses on the Florida Derby and the Arkansas Derby, this weekend’s Grade 1 races that are automatic qualifiers for Churchill Downs in May. He also has tips for the Kentucky Oaks (G1) preps at Gulfstream Park and Oaklawn. 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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S8E23: Big Kentucky Derby preps and, sigh, Florida
03/21/2025
S8E23: Big Kentucky Derby preps and, sigh, Florida
On the track, off the track and at the window. They are the three stages for this week’s Ron Flatter Racing Pod. The biggest preps for Kentucky Derby 2025 begin Saturday. Reigning champion jockey Flavien Prat has the ride on John Hancock, the undefeated colt who is the morning-line favorite for the Grade 2 Louisiana Derby. Prat discusses that race and his assignment on Eclipse Award winner Sierra Leone in the New Orleans Classic (G2). This week’s vote in a legislative committee to advance the potential decoupling of Gulfstream Park’s racing and slot-machine licenses is discussed by National Horsemen’s Benevolent and Protective Association CEO Eric Hamelback. He explains why every horse-racing state should be concerned about what happens in Florida. Handicapper Ed DeRosa offers tips for this weekend’s Louisiana Derby and Muniz Memorial Classic presented by Horse Racing Nation (G2) at Fair Grounds and the Jeff Ruby Steaks (G3), Turfway Park’s win-and-you’re-in qualifier for the Kentucky Derby. Co-host John Cherwa joins in the analysis of listener and reader feedback on the Florida decoupling controversy. 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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S8E22: Yes, Virginia, there is a Kentucky Derby prep
03/14/2025
S8E22: Yes, Virginia, there is a Kentucky Derby prep
A new Kentucky Derby 2025 prep, how racing is reacting to tariffs and decoupling and the National Horseplayers Championship are the subjects in the spotlight on the Ron Flatter Racing Pod. Colonial Downs hosts this weekend’s $500,000 Virginia Derby, a qualifier for the run for the roses May 3. Churchill Downs Inc. vice president of racing Gary Palmisano Jr. talks about the race, the ongoing rise of the sport in Virginia and his family legacy that continues to drive him. From federal tariffs to the proposed decoupling of racing and slot machines at Gulfstream Park, National Thoroughbred Racing Association CEO Tom Rooney provides an update. He also previews this weekend’s 26th annual NHC in Las Vegas, where an $800,000 first prize and an Eclipse Award will go to the winner. Super Screener creator Mike Shutty handicaps the Virginia Derby and the Virginia Oaks at Colonial Downs and the Grade 3 Whitmore Stakes at Oaklawn. John Cherwa joins in the conversation generated by listener and reader feedback from the past week, including reaction to the retirement of Del Mar announcer Trevor Denman. 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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S8E21: Proposal for world racing event + Ky. Derby prep
03/07/2025
S8E21: Proposal for world racing event + Ky. Derby prep
Seizing on the momentum of eye-catching events the Grade 1 Saudi Cup and the Four Nations hockey tournament, is the timing right for the World Riding Championship of Thoroughbred Racing? The concept catches the spotlight this week on the Ron Flatter Racing Pod. Leon Nichols and Calvin Davis, the founders of the Project to Preserve African-American Turf History, return to the podcast in their roles with Bet the World Entertainment. The proposal to bring together an international cast of horses, trainers and riders has received endorsements at the same time as it faces obstacles. Nichols and Davis discuss these matters in depth. California Horse Racing Board vice chair Oscar Gonzales also joins the panel to discuss the proposal for what is envisioned as a global event. Mark Midland handicaps weekend races including the Grade 3 Tampa Bay Derby, a virtual win-and-you’re-in qualifier for Kentucky Derby 2025. Listener and reader feedback is focused on last week’s column calling for a more balanced scheduling of Kentucky Derby points preps. To keep up with developments with the World Riding Championship, go to the ppaath.net. 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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S8E20: 3 Kentucky Derby preps + 1 rant
02/28/2025
S8E20: 3 Kentucky Derby preps + 1 rant
At least three more spots in the Churchill Downs gate are likely to be decided this weekend with important Kentucky Derby 2025 points races at Gulfstream Park, Aqueduct and Santa Anita. They get the spotlight on this week’s Ron Flatter Racing Pod. Racetrack personality Eddie the Hat Wilson checks in from Los Angeles to talk about Barnes’s return to the Derby trail for trainer Bob Baffert in the Grade 2 San Felipe Stakes. He also discusses the future of racing in California, Baffert’s return to Churchill Downs and an overarching view of the Derby trail. In Florida, trainer Ian Wilkes discusses Burnham Square, the Holy Bull (G3) winner who comes back this weekend in the Fountain of Youth (G2). He offers a long-range view of plans for the gelding as he campaigns for the Florida and Kentucky derbies. Ed DeRosa handicaps races he has chosen from this busy weekend, and co-host John Cherwa joins for 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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S8E19: A day late, but still worth a Rebel yell
02/21/2025
S8E19: A day late, but still worth a Rebel yell
It may have been postponed a day, but the Grade 2, $1.25 million Rebel Stakes at Oaklawn should be worth the wait. With a full field of 14 horses, the virtual win-and-you’re-in qualifier for Kentucky Derby 2025 is the focus this week of the Ron Flatter Racing Pod. Trainer Lonnie Briley, who never has had a graded-stakes victory, is on the doorstep of that and his first Derby horse with three-time stakes winner Coal Battle. He talks about the colt’s journey and his own from the oil fields of Louisiana to a career with Thoroughbreds. Oaklawn announcer Matt Dinerman discusses the challenges of a cold winter in Arkansas as well as his own insights on the Rebel and other stakes on Sunday’s card. Paddock Prince handicapper David Levitch has tips for an all-stakes Pick 4 ticket Sunday at Oaklawn. Co-host John Cherwa helps to go over listener and reader feedback about the importance of last week’s Risen Star (G2) at Fair Grounds and jockey Frankie Dettori’s decision to move his tack east from California. 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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S8E18: Risen Star, East Avenue and Hard Yakka
02/14/2025
S8E18: Risen Star, East Avenue and Hard Yakka
The first of the virtual win-and-you’re-in qualifiers for Kentucky Derby 2025 arrives Saturday with the Grade 2 Risen Star Stakes at Fair Grounds in New Orleans. That is where the spotlight is focused for this week’s Ron Flatter Racing Pod. Trainer Brendan Walsh discusses morning-line favorite East Avenue, who carried two open-lengths victories into the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile. That was where a stumbling start doomed him to finish off the board. Walsh discusses how the 3-year-old Godolphin homebred colt has been doing since his disappointment at Del Mar and how he hopes East Avenue’s Grade 1-winning form will show itself again. Fair Grounds track announcer John G. Dooley checks out East Avenue and other contenders in the Risen Star as well as undefeated Good Cheer, who will be favored to win the Rachel Alexandra (G2) and the Kentucky Oaks (G1) first-place qualifying points that go with it. Super Screener creator Mike Shutty offers handicapping tips for the Risen Star and two turf stakes in New Orleans, including the Fair Grounds Stakes presented by Horse Racing Nation (G3) and the Colonel Power sprint. Listener and reader feedback is focused on the Florida bill that would allow Gulfstream Park and Tampa Bay Downs to decouple their Thoroughbred and gaming licenses, opening the door for either track to stop racing while still running their slot machines and poker tables. 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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S8E17: Kentucky Derby 2025 mock draft
02/07/2025
S8E17: Kentucky Derby 2025 mock draft
With less than three months before the run for the roses, a mock draft for Kentucky Derby 2025 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. Five other media horseplayers take part, including Sara Elbadwi from Fox Sports and the New York Racing Association, Betting on Horse Racing for Dummies author Richard Eng from Las Vegas, Churchill Downs analyst and Turfway Park host Kaitlin Free, turf writer and publicist Alicia Hughes and sports-gambling host and former NFL quarterback Shaun King. 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. Also, co-host John Cherwa discusses the biggest talking points in his Los Angeles Times story this week on the future of horse racing with an emphasis on California. 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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S8E16: Issues, answers, Derby preps & Von Guapo
01/31/2025
S8E16: Issues, answers, Derby preps & Von Guapo
Kentucky Derby 2025 points preps at Aqueduct, Gulfstream Park and Santa Anita have the floor this week on the Ron Flatter Racing Pod. From California, longtime horse owner and public handicapper Jon Lindo offers his thoughts about north-state racing coming to an end, decoupling proposals in Florida and Virginia and small fields for stakes this weekend at Santa Anita. He also previews the Robert B. Lewis, one of Saturday’s Derby points preps. Co-owner Ramiro Restrepo, who won the Kentucky Derby two years ago with Mage, is back with Ferocious, the favorite to win the Grade 3 Holy Bull, the latest Gulfstream Park stop on the road to Louisville. Ed DeRosa handicaps weekend races, including the Bob Lewis, the Holy Bull and the Withers at Aqueduct. Each will be worth 20 Derby qualifying points to the winner. Co-host John Cherwa helps to go over listener and reader feedback, much of which is about the future of Gulfstream Park, the apparent death of Northern California racing and reaction to the Eclipse Awards last week in Florida. 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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S8E15: Pegasus, Eclipse, Dasha ... and Rufus
01/24/2025
S8E15: Pegasus, Eclipse, Dasha ... and Rufus
The Pegasus World Cup Invitational and the multimillion-dollar stakes card that supports it Saturday at Gulfstream Park are front and center this week on the Ron Flatter Racing Pod. XBTV racing analyst Zoe Cadman will be in Florida this weekend. She provides snapshots of the Grade 1, $3 million feature, including thoughts about post-time favorite Locked being drawn wide for the 1 1/8-mile race. She also has some ideas about the $1 million Pegasus World Cup Turf Invitational (G1) and some value plays who otherwise might get lost in the glare of the bigger races. Saffie Joseph Jr., the leading trainer at Gulfstream Park for going on four years, discusses his Pegasus World Cup horses White Abarrio and Skippylongstocking as well as his other stakes entrants Saturday at Gulfstream Park. Joseph also offers some cautiously optimistic thoughts about the future of the track, which is the subject of state legislation that could decouple its license from the adjacent casino. Horse Racing Nation’s Mark Midland handicaps the trio of Pegasus World Cup races at Gulfstream Park as well as the $1 million Southwest Stakes (G3), a Kentucky Derby 2025 points prep Saturday at Oaklawn. Co-host John Cherwa of the Los Angeles Times joins to review the results of Thursday night’s Eclipse Awards, which were highlighted by the victory of Thorpedo Anna as horse of the year 2024. 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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S8E14: Kentucky Derby prep at Fair Grounds + Florida future
01/17/2025
S8E14: Kentucky Derby prep at Fair Grounds + Florida future
The immediate present on the road to Kentucky Derby 2025 and the long-term future of horse racing are front and center this week on the Ron Flatter Racing Pod. FanDuel TV’s Andie Biancone discusses the Grade 3 Lecomte Stakes, a next-level points prep for the Derby. She offers her prediction about the pace of the race and her top pick to win. She also gets into the recent trend of Fair Grounds stakes playing a vital role in shaping the results of recent runnings of the Kentucky Derby. Trainer Wayne Catalano gets into specifics about Built, his colt who is favored in the Lecomte despite being drawn wide into post 13. He goes over the first three races in Built’s past performances, including his 6 3/4-length runaway last month in the Gun Runner Stakes over the same track. Paddock Prince handicapper David Levitch offers analysis and tips for the late Pick 4 on Saturday at Fair Grounds, going over the Silverbulletday, the Colonel E. R. Bradley, the Louisiana (G3) and the Lecomte stakes with thoughts about whether to spread or single each leg. Co-host John Cherwa in Florida helps to go over listener and reader feedback, and he joins in the conversation about the future of Gulfstream Park after this week’s announcement by the Stronach Group that it can guarantee a maximum of three years of racing even if it wins legislative approval to decouple its racing and slot-machine licenses. 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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S8E13: How to bet Kentucky Derby futures
01/10/2025
S8E13: How to bet Kentucky Derby futures
Inside of four months before Kentucky Derby 2025, what are the dos and don’ts of futures betting on America’s biggest race? A panel with plenty of experience making and taking those wagers is front and center this week on the Ron Flatter Racing Pod. Michael Beychok won the 2012 National Horseplayers Championship, and Jody McDonald is a host on Infinity Sports Network, WFAN in New York and WIP in Philadelphia. Both have had their successes and failures with long-range handicapping of the Derby, and they share those tales. Based in Las Vegas, Paul Zilm wrote futures odds for five years on the Kentucky Derby. Now that he has left Circa Sports, he is free to share insights about how the numbers move. Super Screener creator Mike Shutty takes his turn in the handicappers rotation with a focus on weekend races at Gulfstream Park and Tampa Bay Downs. Co-host John Cherwa of the Los Angeles Times weighs in during the weekly reading of 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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