S7E24: Kentucky Derby preps, and is it flu or the flu?

Kentucky Derby 2024 win-and-you’re-in preps at Gulfstream Park and Oaklawn and the state of the game are the subjects of the Ron Flatter Racing Pod.

Jockey Flavien Prat, who won last week’s Grade 2 Louisiana Derby on Catching Freedom, talks about that ride and his assignment this weekend in the $1.5 million Arkansas Derby (G1) on Timberlake.

National Thoroughbred Racing Association CEO Tom Rooney answers questions about issues in the sport, including trainer Bob Baffert’s suspension from the Kentucky Derby, the progress and challenges of the Horseracing Integrity and Safety Authority and an upcoming documentary that will shed a harsh light on the game.

Paddock Prince handicapper David Levitch analyzes this weekend’s Florida Derby card and the Arkansas Derby.

John Cherwa and Ron also go over 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. This week’s episode is sponsored by Xpressbet.

For information on Saturday’s Florida Derby Challenge handicapping tournament, go to https://www.xpressbet.com/gsp-1500-3-30-24.

Remember the commemorative bourbon for the 150th Kentucky Derby that was mentioned on the pod last month? We promised we would say when it was coming out. Here it is: https://store.darkartswhiskey.com/products/isaac-murphy-kentucky-derby

 

 

 

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S7E23: Betting from the Bayou

On the road in New Orleans, the first major preps for Kentucky Derby 2024 are in the spotlight on the Ron Flatter Racing Pod.

At Fair Grounds, two-time Eclipse Award-winning trainer Brad Cox discusses his Derby campaign, including his running of Catching Freedom in Saturday’s Grade 2, $1 million Louisiana Derby. He also discusses Timberlake’s upcoming move into the Arkansas Derby (G1) next weekend. Finally, Cox has morning-line favorite Tarifa going Saturday in the Fair Grounds Oaks (G2), a points prep for Kentucky Oaks (G1).

Fair Grounds track announcer John G. Dooley offer his insights about the trends during the winter meet that will come to a close this weekend. He also has an early preview of the Horseshoe Indianapolis opening day April 8, when a total eclipse of the sun will pass over the track during the program.

Handicapper Mark Midland has tips for Saturday’s Bayou-Bluegrass Pick 5, which takes in the Louisiana Derby, Fair Grounds Oaks and New Orleans Classic (G2) at Fair Grounds and the Jeff Ruby Steaks (G3) and Bourbonette Oaks at Turfway Park.

John Cherwa and Ron discuss the California Horse Racing Board meeting Thursday, when a 26-day north-state meet was approved to help fill the void with the closing of Golden Gate Fields in less than three months.

The Ron Flatter Racing Pod via Horse Racing Nation is available via free subscription from Apple, Firefox, Google, iHeart and Spotify as well as HorseRacingNation.com. This week’s episode is sponsored by Xpressbet.

For information on Saturday’s $500 Santa Anita-Xpressbet handicapping tournament, go to xpressbet.com/tournaments.

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S7E22: The tote crash then and the NHC now

The annual visit to Las Vegas for the National Horseplayers Championship is on the Ron Flatter Racing Pod.

Two-time NHC Tour winner Kevin Costello, former NHC champions Scott Harrison and Paul Matties and economics professor and horse owner Marshall Gramm take part in the annual horseplayers roundtable. They discuss last weekend’s tote breakdown that impacted the Tampa Bay Derby, the latest trends and concerns with computer-assisted wagering and why it is that Chicago players have done so well in the NHC.

Horse Racing Nation handicapper Ed DeRosa is taking part in his first NHC as a competitor. He not only discusses that, he also has tips for the Grade 3 Whitmore at Oaklawn and two other Saturday stakes at Laurel Park and Turfway Park.

Listener and reader feedback is focused on last week’s column about the rebuilding of Belmont Park.

The Ron Flatter Racing Pod via Horse Racing Nation is available via free subscription from Apple, Firefox, Google, iHeart and Spotify as well as HorseRacingNation.com. This week’s episode is sponsored by 1/ST Bet and Xpressbet.

For information on Saturday’s Exacta-Thon at Tampa Bay Downs and to get a free entry, go to the Promos page at either 1st.com/bet or xpressbet.com.

Accommodations for Horse Racing Nation coverage of the National Horseplayers Championship were provided and paid for by the National Thoroughbred Racing Association.

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S7E21: Kornacki is back; so are D’Amato and Shutty

From Super Tuesday to top 10 sports events to Tampa Bay Downs. Less than two months until Kentucky Derby 2024, the Ron Flatter Racing Pod covers a lot of ground this week.

MSNBC political analyst and NBC Sports racing handicapper Steve Kornacki talks about similarities between covering this week’s primary elections and the Derby trail. He also has some thoughts about Saturday’s Tampa Bay Derby (G2).

Can Adare Manor be toppled in the Beholder Mile (G1) at Santa Anita? Trainer Phil D’Amato talks about his two challengers Desert Dawn and Turnerloose. He also offers updates on a few more horses in his stable, including Kentucky Derby candidate Stronghold.

Super Screener creator Mike Shutty handicaps the Tampa Bay Derby as well as two other Saturday stakes races at Gulfstream Park and Santa Anita.

Co-host John Cherwa joins Ron to talk about the top 10 sports events each has covered or attended, and they have tributes to the late Larry Lederman and Chris Mortensen.

The Ron Flatter Racing Pod via Horse Racing Nation is available via free subscription from Apple, Firefox, Google, iHeart and Spotify as well as HorseRacingNation.com. This week’s episode is sponsored by 1/ST Bet and Xpressbet.

For information on and to register for Saturday’s ExactaThon, use one of these links and click Promos:

www.1st.com/bet

www.xpressbet.com

Check out this episode!