It is not too early to preview Belmont Stakes 2023, and that is just what happens this week on the Ron Flatter Racing Pod. New York Racing Association TV analyst Andy Serling from “America’s Day at the Races” on Fox provides early insight. Churchill Downs has responded to 12 recent horse deaths by meeting with horsemen to outline new restrictions for races. Trainer Dale Romans was there and offers his thoughts. Paddock Prince handicapper David Levitch joins in the Belmont preview and also has ti...
Jun 02, 2023•1 hr 21 min•Season 6Ep. 36
The Triple Crown and jockeys’ health are the subjects of this week’s Ron Flatter Racing Pod. Gene Kershner of The Buffalo News offers his early assessment of Belmont Stakes 2023, the current series of classics and how he may be the turf writer with the longest active streak of Triple Crown races covered. The Jockeys’ Guild president and CEO Terry Meyocks talks about this week’s symposium that was focused on the mental-wellness of riders and offers some startling statistics about the challenges f...
May 26, 2023•1 hr 22 min•Season 6Ep. 35
From Pimlico in Baltimore, connections and predictions for Preakness 2023 fill the Friday episode of the Ron Flatter Racing Pod. Assistant trainer and co-owner Gustavo Delgado Jr. discusses Kentucky Derby winner Mage’s bid to stay alive with his Triple Crown campaign. First Mission’s trainer Brad Cox and Coffeewithchris’s owner and trainer John Salzman Jr. discuss their horses. Two-time Eclipse Award-winning writer John Scheinman of Baltimore offers his preview of the Preakness. There are also t...
May 19, 2023•1 hr 27 min•Season 6Ep. 34
The sixth annual hard-core handicappers roundtable to preview Preakness 2023 has been convened for this pop-up episode of the Ron Flatter Racing Pod. Hear Horse Racing Nation ’s Mark Midland and Ed DeRosa and the return of DraftKings Sportsbook’s Johnny Avello. They preview all eight horses and provide their handicapping advice for the 148th running of the Preakness. The Ron Flatter Racing Pod via Horse Racing Nation is available via free subscription from Apple, Google, Spotify and Stitcher as ...
May 17, 2023•1 hr 18 min•Season 6Ep. 33
A recap of Kentucky Derby 2023 and an early preview of Preakness 2023 are the topics of conversation on the Ron Flatter Racing Pod. Ramiro Restrepo, co-owner of Derby winner Mage, talks about how he spotted the colt at a sale last year and his path in the racing industry. Former Daily Racing Form turf writer Marty McGee talks about career change from journalist to jockey agent. Los Angeles Times writer John Cherwa discusses the recent spate of horse deaths at Churchill Downs. Horse Racing Nation...
May 12, 2023•1 hr 28 min•Season 6Ep. 32
From trainers Todd Pletcher, Steve Asmussen and Larry Rivelli to jockey Jareth Loveberry. From celebrities Steve Kornacki and Joy Taylor to handicappers Mike Shutty, Mark Midland, Ed DeRosa and Johnny Avello. From Louisville, it is a jam-packed Kentucky Derby edition of the Ron Flatter Racing Pod via Horse Racing Nation is available via free subscription from Apple, Google, Spotify and Stitcher as well as HorseRacingNation.com.
May 05, 2023•1 hr 31 min•Season 6Ep. 31
The sixth annual hard-core handicappers roundtable to preview Kentucky Derby 2023 has been convened for this pop-up episode of the Ron Flatter Racing Pod. Hear Horse Racing Nation ’s Mark Midland and Ed DeRosa and the return of DraftKings Sportsbook’s Johnny Avello. They preview all 20 horses in the main draw and the three also-eligibles in addition to providing their handicapping advice for the 149th running of America’s greatest race. The Ron Flatter Racing Pod via Horse Racing Nation is avail...
May 03, 2023•1 hr 19 min•Season 6Ep. 30
Get the jump on Kentucky Derby 2023 with this week’s early preview on the Ron Flatter Racing Pod. Trainer Tim Yakteen discusses Practical Move and Reincarnate and his plans for breezing and shipping them this week. Two-time Eclipse Award-winning writer John Scheinman checks in from Baltimore to talk about the ongoing trouble with the racing surface at Laurel Park. Back in Kentucky, Churchill Downs TV analysts Kaitlin Free and Scott Shapiro talk about morning workouts this week and offer their ea...
Apr 28, 2023•1 hr 32 min•Season 6Ep. 29
The 50th anniversary of Secretariat’s Triple Crown is celebrated in this pop-up episode of the Ron Flatter Racing Pod. Hall of Famer Ron Turcotte, who rode Big Red to victory in the 1973 Kentucky Derby, Preakness and Belmont stakes, speaks in a new interview about his experiences that spring as well as his relationship with the late trainer Lucien Laurin. Kate Tweedy, the daughter of Secretariat’s owner Penny Chenery, recalls her time as a college student who was there for all the important mome...
Apr 26, 2023•1 hr 34 min•Season 6Ep. 28
The early previews of Kentucky Derby 2023 continue on the Ron Flatter Racing Pod. Workout analyst Bruno De Julio discusses what not to ask when handicapping the Derby and some of what to watch ahead of the race. Wild On Ice’s trainer Joel Marr talks about his long shot for the May 6 classic. Super Screener creator Mike Shutty handicaps weekend races at Keeneland and Oaklawn. Reader and listener feedback samples opinions about this year’s changes to qualifying for Kentucky Derby 2023. The Ron Fla...
Apr 21, 2023•1 hr 47 min
Three weeks before Kentucky Derby 2023, the Ron Flatter Racing Pod examines the prep trail that made Forte the favorite for the May 6 classic. Jockey Irad Ortiz Jr. discusses his Florida Derby (G1) victory riding the Eclipse Award winner. Longtime turf writer and publicist Jennie Rees discusses the Final Fractions Theory that she pioneered and how it may impact handicapping for this year’s classic. She also talks about changes in the points system this year and how it affected the end of the roa...
Apr 14, 2023•1 hr 15 min•Season 6Ep. 26
The Blue Grass, the Santa Anita Derby and the Wood Memorial are the last of the major preps for Kentucky Derby 2023, and they are main topics this week on the Ron Flatter Racing Pod. Trainer Kenny McPeek has three horses trying to pull off the upset in the Blue Grass Stakes. He will talk about them and this year’s Derby trail. Recently inducted in the National Horseplayers Championship Hall of Fame, Keeneland executive Jim Goodman talks about the weekend preps and the advent of sports gambling i...
Apr 07, 2023•1 hr 35 min•Season 6Ep. 25
The Florida Derby and Arkansas Derby, two Grade 1 preps for Kentucky Derby 2023, are this weekend, and they are the focus of the Ron Flatter Racing Pod. Fox Sports racing analyst Paul Lo Duca checks in from Oaklawn to talk about both preps as well as opening week and the new rules in his old sport, baseball. National Horsemen’s Benevolent and Protective Association CEO Eric Hamelback discusses the latest court fight against the Horseracing Integrity and Safety Authority. Super Screener creator M...
Mar 31, 2023•1 hr 33 min•Season 6Ep. 24
The first of the major U.S. preps for Kentucky Derby 2023 is the topic at hand on this week’s Ron Flatter Racing Pod. Fair Grounds track announcer John G. Dooley previews the Saturday running of the Louisiana Derby (G2), from which at least the top two finishers are likely to be in the starting gate May 6 at Churchill Downs. DraftKings Sportsbook director Johnny Avello discusses wagering on Kentucky Derby futures and using apps for sports betting and trends in betting on races in 2023. Horse Rac...
Mar 24, 2023•1 hr 26 min•Season 6Ep. 23
On this week’s Ron Flatter Racing Pod, whiskey entrepreneur Amir Peay is joined in Lexington, Ky., by Leon Nichols of the Project to Preserve African American Turf History and Allen Carter from Silver Springs Farm to talk about the legacy of long-ago horse owner and distiller James E. Pepper and his role in diversifying sports like racing and boxing more than a century ago. From Las Vegas, National Thoroughbred Racing Association CEO Tom Rooney discusses the rise in popularity of handicapping co...
Mar 17, 2023•1 hr 31 min•Season 6Ep. 22
From Las Vegas, the National Horseplayers Championship is center stage on the Ron Flatter Racing Pod. Former NHC winners David Harrison and Paul Matties join economics professor and horseplayer Marshall Gramm to discuss betting matters and a study that Gramm did that quantifies the impact of computer players at the racetrack. Trainer Robertino Diodoro talks about Lovely Ride’s bid to pull off the upset this weekend in the Azeri Stakes (G2) at Oaklawn. Paddock Prince David Levitch handicaps weeke...
Mar 10, 2023•1 hr 40 min•Season 6Ep. 21
Kentucky Derby 2023 preps at four tracks this weekend are the focus of this week’s Ron Flatter Racing Pod. Hall of Fame trainer Todd Pletcher talks about the return of Eclipse Award winner Forte in the Fountain of Youth Stakes (G2) at Gulfstream Park. Longtime Tennessee turf talker Danny Brewer offers his unique perspective on the move of Bob Baffert’s Derby prospects to other trainers as well as his thoughts about this weekend’s points races. Super Screener creator Mike Shutty has weekend handi...
Mar 03, 2023•1 hr 39 min•Season 6Ep. 20
Another virtual win-and-you’re-in qualifier for the Kentucky Derby is front and center on the Ron Flatter Racing Pod. FanDuel TV’s Christina Blacker previews the Rebel Stakes (G2) at Oaklawn. Spendthrift Farm general manager Ned Toffey discusses Derby prospects and the recent foal produced by Into Mischief out of Monomoy Girl. Mark Midland of Horse Racing Nation handicaps the Rebel and the Honeybee (G3), an Oaklawn qualifier for the Kentucky Oaks (G1). There also is listener and reader feedback ...
Feb 24, 2023•1 hr 31 min•Season 6Ep. 19
The Risen Star Stakes is the first virtual win-and-you’re-in qualifier for Kentucky Derby 2023. On this week’s Ron Flatter Racing Pod, trainer Tom Amoss talks about Curly Jack, who is his horse in the race. He also discusses Hoosier Philly, the Rachel Alexandra favorite who might yet have a go at the boys in the Derby. TV analyst Scott Shapiro also previews the Risen Star card. Horse Racing Nation ’s Ed DeRosa handicaps the Fair Grounds feature and other weekend races. The Ron Flatter Racing Pod...
Feb 17, 2023•1 hr 30 min•Season 6Ep. 18
On this week’s Ron Flatter Racing Pod, breeder-owner Bruce Lunsford discusses the immediate past and future for Pegasus World Cup winner Art Collector as well as his Kentucky Derby 2023 prospect Classic Legacy who races in this weekend’s Sam F. Davis Stakes (G3), a points prep at Tampa Bay Downs. Maggie Wolfendale-Morley of Fox Sports and the New York Racing Association is at Aqueduct to preview this weekend’s Withers Stakes (G3), another Derby points prep. Paddock Prince handicapper David Levit...
Feb 10, 2023•1 hr 9 min•Season 6Ep. 17
On this week’s Ron Flatter Racing Pod, hear legendary jockey Frankie Dettori look ahead to the rest of his last year of riding. Gulfstream Park TV analyst Ron Nicoletti handicaps the Holy Bull Stakes, a points prep for the Kentucky Derby. There is another one of those with the Robert B. Lewis at Santa Anita, and handicapper Ed DeRosa of Horse Racing Nation preview both of them. The Ron Flatter Racing Pod via Horse Racing Nation is available via free subscription from Apple, Google, Spotify and S...
Feb 03, 2023•1 hr 1 min•Season 6Ep. 16
The Pegasus World Cup and the Eclipse Awards are the focus of this week’s Florida road trip for the Ron Flatter Racing Pod. Trainers Brad Cox of Cyberknife and Michael Stidham of Proxy discuss their thoughts about this weekend’s $3 million Pegasus World Cup Invitational at Gulfstream Park. That is where former jockey Samantha Perry talks about her path to becoming a TV analyst. She and Super Screener creator Mike Shutty offer their handicapping thoughts about the Pegasus card. There also is a wr...
Jan 27, 2023•1 hr 3 min•Season 6Ep. 15
A look ahead to this weekend’s Kentucky Derby 2023 prep and this year’s plans for the 2022 Derby winner are the focus of the Ron Flatter Racing Pod. Eclipse Award-winning horseplayer Michael Beychok checks in from Louisiana to discuss the Grade 3 Lecomte Stakes, a better-than-advertised allowance race and recent trends at Fair Grounds. He also talks about Derby futures betting and even his day job as a political consultant in Baton Rouge. Trainer Eric Reed outlines 2023 plans for 80-1 Derby winn...
Jan 20, 2023•1 hr 33 min•Season 6Ep. 14
Where to find good food and drink at or around racetracks. That is the topic for a special panel this week on the Ron Flatter Racing Pod. At the Races host Steve Byk, award-winning turf writer Alicia Hughes, trainer Neil Pessin and sports writer Matt Stahl compare notes on the best restaurants for horseplayers and fans nationwide, including destination restaurants during visits to the Triple Crown. Paddock Prince handicapper David Levitch has tips for weekend races at Aqueduct and Gulfstream Par...
Jan 13, 2023•1 hr 27 min•Season 6Ep. 13
Kentucky Derby preps this weekend for 2023 and the Eclipse Awards for 2022 are discussed on the Ron Flatter Racing Pod. Trainer Linda Rice talks about her two starters in the Jerome Stakes as well as other recent runners who have made her the top trainer this winter at Aqueduct. Author and handicapper Richard Eng previews the Sham Stakes at Santa Anita. Horse Racing Nation ’s Ed DeRosa compares notes about his Eclipse votes after handicapping weekend races at Aqueduct, Oaklawn and Turfway Park. ...
Jan 06, 2023•1 hr 35 min•Season 6Ep. 12
A half-century of riding racehorses, the Eclipse Awards debate and this weekend’s races at Gulfstream Park are the focus of the Ron Flatter Racing Pod. Perry Ouzts talks about his longevity as a jockey and whether he should be in the Hall of Fame. Larry Collmus of FanDuel TV and Super Screener creator Mike Shutty look ahead to graded stakes in South Florida. Listener and reader feedback zeroes in on the debate over who should be the champion 3-year-old male of 2022. The Ron Flatter Racing Pod vi...
Dec 30, 2022•1 hr 17 min•Season 6Ep. 11
On a special Christmas episode of the Ron Flatter Racing Pod, hear the story of how Ron won $80,500 two decades ago on “The Weakest Link.” Hear from original host Anne Robinson plus two people who had key roles in this saga, ESPN Radio’s Peter Ciccone and former contestant producer Laura Chambers. There even are cameo mentions of horse racing. The Ron Flatter Racing Pod via Horse Racing Nation is available via free subscription from Apple, Google, Spotify and Stitcher as well as HorseRacingNatio...
Dec 23, 2022•1 hr 24 min•Season 6Ep. 10
A career remembered and a year reviewed. Those are the subjects for retired Daily Racing Form writer Jay Privman on the Ron Flatter Racing Pod. Also, oddsmaker Paul Zilm discusses the Kentucky Derby futures odds he wrote this week for Circa Sports, and Outrun the Odds handicapper Sara Elbadwi provides tips for weekend races at Aqueduct and at Gulfstream Park and for the Remington Springboard Mile prep for the Kentucky Derby. The Ron Flatter Racing Pod via Horse Racing Nation is available via fre...
Dec 16, 2022•1 hr 35 min•Season 6Ep. 9
Anyone who ever wanted to own a racehorse has a chance to learn how this week with the Ron Flatter Racing Pod. Horse Racing Radio Network analyst Dan Mason applies his experience as a Midlantic owner to provide lessons for beginners on how to become stakeholders in the Thoroughbred game. Charting Horse Value creator Jeff Bessa handicaps weekend races at Oaklawn plus the Grade 1 Starlet Stakes, a Kentucky Oaks points prep at Los Alamitos. The Ron Flatter Racing Pod via Horse Racing Nation is avai...
Dec 09, 2022•1 hr 29 min•Season 6Ep. 8
The Cigar Mile Handicap this weekend at Aqueduct takes center stage on the Ron Flatter Racing Pod. Maggie Wolfendale Morley of Fox Sports analyzes the race and discusses the current outbreak of the equine herpesvirus in Kentucky. Owner Jeffrey Drown talks about Zandon’s bid to win the Cigar Mile and his late push for an Eclipse Award. David Levitch, the Paddock Prince, handicaps weekend races at Aqueduct and Del Mar. The Ron Flatter Racing Pod via Horse Racing Nation is available via free subscr...
Dec 02, 2022•1 hr 19 min•Season 6Ep. 7
