S7E44: Lighting cauldron in New York & Paris

Covering someone racing at Saratoga and someone who covers horse racing from the site of the Paris Olympics. They are part of this week’s Ron Flatter Racing Pod.

Jockey Jaime Torres talks about his ride Saturday on Preakness winner Seize the Grey in the Grade 2 Jim Dandy Stakes at Saratoga. He talks about having to go against Sierra Leone and Fierceness in a race that could shape next month’s Travers (G1). He also tells the story of a personal rivalry with a long shot in the Jim Dandy field as well as the ambitions that could have had him in France right now.

Turf writer Scott Burton of Racing Post has been based for 17 years in Paris, where he will get to treat the Olympics as a home game. He talks about some of the experiences he already has had dealing with the games being in his back yard. He also has some tips for the King George (G1) on Saturday at Ascot, England.

Horse Racing Nation handicapper Mark Midland will handicap weekend races, and John Cherwa helps Ron sift through feedback about last week’s interview with Mike Repole and the end of Bob Baffert’s three-year suspension by 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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S7E43: Repole and the Del Mar singers

Opening day at Del Mar and the Grade 1, $1 million Haskell Stakes at Monmouth Park are the focus of this week’s episode of the Ron Flatter Racing Pod.

Mike Repole, who owns the favorite Mindframe and Eclipse Award winner Fierceness, discusses his thinking into whether to send both horses to the post Saturday for the Haskell. He also talks about having that race and the Jim Dandy Stakes (G2) next weekend at Saratoga so close together. He also has some candid thoughts about some of the first steps racing can take to turn the sport in the right direction.

Workout analyst Bruno De Julio checks in from his trackside clocking work to provide his perspective on the West Coast’s most popular meet, including storylines that horseplayers may want to pursue this summer. He also talks about undefeated Medoro’s bid to win the San Clemente (G2), the opening-day feature at Del Mar

Super Screener creator Mike Shutty is back to offer tips for the Haskell, the Coaching Club American Oaks (G1) at Saratoga and undercard stakes Saturday at both tracks.

Co-host John Cherwa joins Ron to go through the past week’s listener and reader feedback, and there may be a surprise or two from some unlikely singers of Del Mar’s signature song.

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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S7E42: They’re off at Saratoga

The opening at Saratoga 2024 and Saturday’s Grade 1 Diana Stakes are front and center on this week’s episode of the Ron Flatter Racing Pod.

TV analyst Maggie Wolfendale Morley of Fox Sports and the New York Racing Association discusses some of the most-anticipated races this summer, including next month’s Travers (G1) as well as the early highlights of the meet.

Trainer Ignacio Correas IV talks about his mare Didia, a recent Grade 1 winner who faces nine rivals including five from the Chad Brown barn this weekend in the Diana.

Paddock Prince handicapper David Levitch returns to offer tips for Saratoga as well as his look ahead to the rest of the Saratoga summer.

Co-host John Cherwa joins Ron to go through the past week’s 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.

Check out this episode!

S7E41: All about computer betting

Computer-assisted wagering. Is it the wave for all future betting on horse races, or is it the scourge that will drive gamblers away from the game? That is the theme of this week’s Ron Flatter Racing Pod.

Elite Turf Club president Scott Daruty and professor and horseplayer Marshall Gramm are together to talk about the ins and outs of what has come to be known by the acronym CAW, both for good and for bad. They will talk about how batch betting has changed the game and criticism that it has prevented a level playing field for horseplayers.

Racing attorney Drew Couto was there in the early days of computer betting and has stories about how it has evolved, complete with his own experiences that were filled with international intrigue.

Horse Racing Nation handicapper Ed DeRosa also weighs in on the subject in addition to offering tips for three stakes races Saturday on the Indiana Derby card at Horseshoe Indianapolis.

Co-host John Cherwa also offers critical commentary about computer wagering in addition to his thoughts about the host’s recent vacation.

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.

Check out this episode!