The Ron Flatter Racing Pod

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.

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.

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.

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.

Local standouts Journalism and Nysos face eastern shipper Fierceness in the Pacific Classic at Del Mar, and Mindframe gets a high-profile rematch with Sierra Leone in the Jockey Club Gold Cup at Saratoga. These 1 1/4-mile, Grade 1, $1 million races are spotlighted this week on the Ron Flater Racing Pod. Christina Blacker of FanDuel TV provides insight on the east vs. west matchup in California. She discusses Preakness and Haskell (G1) winner Journalism’s first time facing older horses like Nysos and Fierceness in their audition for the Breeders’ Cup Classic over the same course and distance in a little more than two months. Co-owner Brook T. Smith talks about whether Sierra Leone can reverse the trend against Mindframe when they have their third meeting, this time at Saratoga. He also outlines plans for the 4-year-old colt between now and the Breeders’ Cup as well as after the $7 million race in which Sierra Leone is the defending winner. Super Screener creator Mike Shutty checks in from his home base near Del Mar to provide handicapping advice for the big weekend races. Co-hosts John Cherwa of the Los Angeles Times and Keith Nelson of Fairmount Park join in a tribute to Secretariat’s late jockey Ron Turcotte. 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.

The 156th running of the Grade 1, $1.25 million Travers Stakes at Saratoga is not only the mid-summer derby. It also is the centerpiece this week for the Ron Flatter Racing Pod. Racing analyst and TV host Andy Serling of New York Racing Association TV and Fox Sports is along to discuss the race, the Grade 1s on Saturday’s card and the Saratoga summer. He also will talk about the 3-year-old male division and how the Travers could go a long way toward determining the Eclipse Award. Jockey Júnior Alvarado rides Kentucky Derby and Belmont Stakes winner Sovereignty in the Travers talks about the five-horse field this weekend and his strategy for the race. Paddock Prince handicapper David Levitch examines the Travers and has tips for other races on the Saratoga card. Co-hosts John Cherwa of the Los Angeles Times and Keith Nelson of Fairmount Park have their thoughts about the Travers as well as reaction 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.

Canada and Italy line up with the U.S. on this week’s menu for the Ron Flatter Racing Pod.  Ashley Mailloux from FanDuel TV examines the 166th running of the King’s Plate. She offers analysis about the field that includes No Time, the morning-line favorite trying to become the 40th filly to win this first race of the Canadian Triple Crown. The Palio di Siena, the ancient bareback race run twice every summer in Tuscany, happens again this weekend. Sportscaster Kenny Mayne and producer Matt Doyle recall their adventure covering the sometimes controversial event that is centuries old. La Cara, Good Cheer and Nitrogen are the big names in the Grade 1 Alabama at Saratoga. Super Screener creator Mike Shutty handicaps that and other races this weekend. Co-hosts John Cherwa of the Los Angeles Times and Keith Nelson of Fairmount Park join in paying tribute to a famous guest of an old Arlington Million (G1). 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.

The Grade 1 Arlington Million returns this weekend to Virginia for the third time. It comes with the added attraction of Kentucky Derby 2024 winner Mystik Dan. The 42nd renewal of the well-traveled race catches the spotlight on this week’s Ron Flatter Racing Pod. Colonial Downs track announcer Jason Beem checks in from his frequent travels to offer his thoughts on the $1 million race which lured Kentucky Derby 2024 winner Mystik Dan to try the turf for the first time. He also offers his thoughts on the rise of Virginia racing. Hall of Famer Shug McGaughey trains 5-year-old morning-line favorite Integration and 6-year-old third choice Fort Washington. He talks about what it might take for Integration to go one better than last year’s second-place finish at Colonial. He also discusses Fort Washington’s season that includes two Grade 3 wins. Paddock Prince handicapper David Levitch zeros in on the Arlington Million as well as the Sword Dancer (G1) card this weekend at Saratoga. Co-hosts John Cherwa of the Los Angeles Times and Keith Nelson of Fairmount Park join in checking out listeners’ and readers’ feedback about last week’s interview with Resolute Racing owner John Stewart. 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.

The Grade 1, $1 million Whitney Stakes featuring Fierceness, Sierra Leone and White Abarrio may be the race of the year, so far. It is the primary subject of this week’s Ron Flatter Racing Pod. “Saratoga Live” analyst Jonathon Kinchen from the New York Racing Association and Fox Sports offers his thoughts on the Whitney field, some of the other races on Saturday’s card and some behind-the-scenes insights into his popular Cart Talk feature. Away from Saratoga, Resolute Racing founder John Stewart discusses his rapid success in the short time he has been an owner, and he talks about plans he has for star broodmare Puca. Handicapper Ed DeRosa zeroes in on the Whitney and other weekend races. Co-hosts John Cherwa of the Los Angeles Times and Keith Nelson of Fairmount Park join in checking out listeners’ and readers’ 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.

The return of Kentucky Derby and Belmont Stakes winner Sovereignty in the Grade 2 Jim Dandy at Saratoga and the showcase for sprinters in the Bing Crosby (G1) at Del Mar are among the topics for the Ron Flatter Racing Pod. Retired turf writer Jay Privman discusses the California summer that may include Preakness winner Journalism facing older rivals next month in the Pacific Classic (G1). He also will talk about his namesake horse who broke his maiden Sunday. Trainer Bob Hess Jr. offers an update on Roll On Big Joe, who tests Grade 1 waters Saturday in the Bing Crosby. He also offers his thoughts about the immediate future of California racing. Mark Midland handicaps weekend races including the Jim Dandy plus more selections at Saratoga, Del Mar and Woodbine, and co-hosts John Cherwa of the Los Angeles Times and Keith Nelson of Fairmount Park help go through listener and reader feedback about Del Mar and Florida racing. 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.

Opening week at Del Mar and the Grade 1, $1 million Haskell Stakes at Monmouth Park are the main topics this week on the Ron Flatter Racing Pod. Larry Collmus checks in from Del Mar, where he makes his debut as the permanent announcer for all seasons. He offers his thoughts about the meet that will be highlighted by next month’s Pacific Classic (G1). He also talks about his cross-country drive that led him to where the turf meets the surf. Aron Wellman of Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners speaks from his drive between Newark Liberty International Airport and the Jersey Shore to discuss Journalism’s bid to win the Haskell. He also fields questions about whether he might consider running the Preakness winner against older competition next month in the $1 million Pacific Classic (G1) at Del Mar. Super Screener creator Mike Shutty has handicapping tips for the Haskell card and for opening week at Del Mar. Co-hosts John Cherwa of the Los Angeles Times and Keith Nelson of Fairmount Park are scheduled to help with listener and reader feedback. The Ron Flatter Racing Pod via Horse Racing Nation is available via free subscription from platforms like Apple, Firefox, iHeart and Spotify as well as HorseRacingNation.com.

The formal start of the Saratoga summer with some familiar names and the introduction of a new voice highlight this week’s episode of the Ron Flatter Racing Pod. Horse Racing Nation writer and HorseCenter host Matt Shifman checks in from upstate New York to offer his thoughts about the upcoming meet, the potential rematch next month of Sovereignty and Journalism in the Grade 1 Travers and some tips for fans taking in the races this summer at the Spa. Trainer Cherie DeVaux discusses She Feels Pretty, her four-time Grade 1 winner who is favored Saturday in the Grade 1 Diana Stakes. She also introduces Dr. Agne, the 2-year-old debutant named for the pioneering equine podiatrist who died in a bicycle accident nearly 10 years ago. Paddock Prince handicapper David Levitch zeroes in on Saratoga with his tips for the weekend. There is listener and reader feedback, and regular co-host John Cherwa of the Los Angeles Times is joined by Fairmount Park announcer Keith Nelson, a new addition to the RFRP cast. The Ron Flatter Racing Pod via Horse Racing Nation is available via free subscription from platforms like Apple, Firefox, iHeart and Spotify as well as HorseRacingNation.com.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.