The Ron Flatter Racing Pod

Making a return to New York for the opening of the new Belmont Park, this week's episode of the Ron Flatter Racing Pod focuses not just on the new $450 million redevelopment but also the Grade 1, $1 million Pennsylvania Derby this weekend at Parx. Track announcer Jessica Paquette talks about the biggest race at the Bensalem track as well as the Cotillion Stakes (G1). She also discussion the 2026 racing year at Parx, and she even reveals an unexpected surprise about herself. Richard Migliore, the former jockey turned media analyst, joins the conversation in the big new paddock at Belmont Park. He talks about the revamped racing surfaces, including the new synthetic surface that will be used heavily during the upcoming winter. Ed DeRosa is in the handicappers rotation with tips for the Pennsylvania Derby, the Cotillion and, at Churchill Downs, the Dogwood (G3) on Saturday night. Ron is joined by Fairmount Park announcer Keith Nelson and guest co-host Matt Shifman of Horse Racing Nation to talk about the new Belmont Park. 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.

Nick Seevers, an accomplished horseplayer based in Sacramento, Calif., shares his story on the Ron Flatter Racing Pod. A two-time National Horseplayers Championship competitor, Seevers talks about the handicappers who have influenced his growth in the game. He also singles out books and podcasts that have been helpful. A lifelong resident of Northern California, Seevers discusses the gambling he did growing up and his introduction to racing at tracks that since have been shut down. He details just what that part of the country lost when racing there in 2024. The $5 minimum introduced for win, place and show bets at the recent Kentucky Downs meet also is grist for conversation with Seevers. That, of course, leads to a discussion of computer wagering and the best way to bet against it. Seevers also shares his appreciation for The Tony Kornheiser Show, which has been a template for this podcast.  In host chat, sports writer John Cherwa and Fairmount Park track announcer Keith Nelson talk about their interactions with their audiences as well as their own brushes with celebrities. The episode opens with a remembrance of what happened 25 years ago, when 9/11 took on the significance it carries today. 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.

Labor Day weekend brings the climactic days of the summer meets at Saratoga and Del Mar, and it means more big-money races at Kentucky Downs. It also means taking time to reflect on a chaotic month in racing. They are grist for the conversation this week on the Ron Flatter Racing Pod. Jay Privman, the retired national writer from Daily Racing Form, examines what went wrong for racing in August, especially with the exposure of veterinary records kept by the Horseracing Integrity and Safety Authority. He has strong opinions about how justice should be meted out in this matter. Adrian Beaumont of the England-based International Racing Bureau is at Kentucky Downs this weekend to see some of the horses he helped bring over to America to compete in the big-money turf meet on the Tennessee border. He will discuss that and look ahead to big autumn dates in Europe as well as the Breeders' Cup next month at Keeneland. Horse Racing Nation's Mark Midland takes his turn in the handicappers rotation and chooses from a deep list of important stakes across the country to offer his tips. Listener and reader feedback comes in reaction to Leading Change's 10-1 upset victory last week in the Grade 1 Travers. Keith Nelson of Fairmount Park and guest co-host Steve Kornacki of NBC News and Sports talk about how they spent their summer and look forward to the holiday weekend and beyond. 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. It is sponsored by 1/ST BET.

The Travers Stakes, Saratoga's Grade 1, $1.25 million mid-summer derby, dominates the conversation this week on the Ron Flatter Racing Pod. Racing analyst Kaylie Shapiro of the New York Racing Association discusses the first-ever showdown between Kentucky Derby and Belmont Stakes winner Golden Tempo, Preakness victor Napoleon Solo and Jim Dandy (G2) winner Renegade. Trainer Lindsay Schultz talks about Baby Vino, the colt's 28-1 upset victory in the Haskell (G1) and whether there could be an encore surprise in the Travers. Paddock Prince handicapper David Levitch weighs in with his tips for the Travers plus two other graded stakes, the Ballerina (G1) and Lake Placid (G2), on Saratoga's Saturday card. Listener and reader feedback comes from the Travers draw and adds to the opinion about how the biggest race of the summer may be run and won. Keith Nelson of Fairmount Park and guest co-host Jonathon Kinchen from NYRA discuss a turbulent month in racing as well as the Travers and perhaps a cameo mention of the St. Louis Derby. 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. It is sponsored by 1/ST BET.

The Pacific Classic, Del Mar's signature Grade 1, $1 million race, is the main topic of conversation this week on the Ron Flatter Racing Pod. Ryan Anderson and Jackson Muniz from the Gallop Out podcast check in to talk about this weekend's big race as well as the Del Mar summer and handicapping trends that have developed through the season. Jockey Júnior Alvarado discusses his upcoming ride on morning-line favorite Knightsbridge in the Pacific Classic. He also talks about his recent success riding reigning horse of the year Sovereignty and his work with Hall of Fame trainer Bill Mott. Super Screener creator Mike Shutty has handicapping tips for weekend races, including the Pacific Classic. Listener and reader feedback focuses on the fallout from Jockey Club member Marshall Gramm's gathering and leaking of confidential veterinary records that were not locked down by the Horseracing Integrity and Safety Authority. Fairmount Park's Keith Nelson is joined by guest co-host Larry Collmus from NBC Sports and Del Mar. 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. It is sponsored by 1/ST BET.