S7E49: Girl meets boys 2.0

The Labor Day holiday brings the Grade 1, $1 million Pacific Classic at Del Mar, opening week at Kentucky Downs and closing weekend at Saratoga. They also are conversation starters this week for the Ron Flatter Racing Pod.

FanDuel TV’s Christina Blacker offers local knowledge from Del Mar, including her assessment of the summer season and her thoughts about the mare Adare Manor taking on males Saturday in the Pacific Classic.

Adare Manor’s jockey Juan Hernández discusses the race and his success in both Northern and Southern California.

Super Screener creator Mike Shutty has weekend handicapping for Del Mar, Kentucky Downs and Saratoga.

John Cherwa joins Ron to field listener and reader feedback about last week’s Travers (G1) and trainer Kenny McPeek’s plan to ease Kentucky Derby winner Mystik Dan back to racing this winter.

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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S7E48: Stars of Travers, Del Mar & customs

Thorpedo Anna’s run against males and The Chosen Vron’s bid for a seventh consecutive victory provide transcontinental topics for this week’s Ron Flatter Racing Pod.

At Saratoga, trainer Kenny McPeek discusses Thorpedo Anna’s start Saturday in the Grade 1, $1.25 million Travers Stakes, a race that has not been won by a filly in 109 years. He also provides an update on Kentucky Derby winner Mystik Dan.

At Del Mar, trainer Eric Kruljac talks about The Chosen Vron, who races Saturday in the Pat O’Brien (G2). He also outlines the long-term strategy of how he plans to get the 6-year-old gelding to the Breeders’ Cup Sprint this fall on the same track as this weekend’s race.

Horse Racing Nation’s Ed DeRosa handicaps the Travers, the Pat O’Brien and the H. Allen Jerkens Memorial (G1). John Cherwa joins Ron to go through some of the listener and reader feedback from the past week.

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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S7E47: A retiring trainer & the great Plate north

From a retiring trainer to a classic preview to weekend tips. They are part of this week’s Ron Flatter Racing Pod.

Karl Broberg spent 15 years running his stable and had a run as North America’s winningest trainer. He explains the reasons and challenges that have led him to leave the role. He speaks openly about the problems that drove him to this decision and what he plans to do next to keep his hand in the game.

Racing analyst Elissa Blowe and track announcer Robert Geller check in from Woodbine to preview the 165th King’s Plate, Canada’s first Triple Crown race of 2024. They will talk about the full field for Saturday’s race and offer their thoughts on who may win.

Horse Racing Nation’s Mark Midland has weekend handicapping as he scans a menu that includes the Grade 1 Alabama card at Saratoga, the King’s Plate and the Del Mar Oaks (G1).

Co-host John Cherwa also joins the show to help with feedback from listeners and readers, including their reaction to Colonial Downs adding a Kentucky Derby points prep next year.

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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S7E46: Arlington Million, Saratoga are podcaster’s dream

The  Grade 1 Arlington Million is Sunday at Colonial Downs. Even though the race and the journey there were pushed back a day because of tropical storm Debby, the Ron Flatter Racing Pod was not. This episode originates from the road to Virginia.

Track announcer and podcast host Jason Beem offers his insights into the Million, the Beverly D. (G2) and the Secretariat (G2), the three traditional graded stakes that anchor Sunday’s card. He also has some stories about the odd places he has recorded podcasts and called races.

Trainer Graham Motion discusses the decision process for his horses who are cross-entered at Colonial Downs, Saratoga and Woodbine. They include Trikari, Mission of Joy and Highland Chief.

Paddock Prince handicapper David Levitch has tips for the Million, the Fourstardave (G1), the Saratoga Derby (G1) and the Saratoga Special (G2).

John Cherwa and Ron go over feedback from the past week, including reaction to Bob Baffert’s thought that Adare Manor could go against males this month in the Pacific Classic (G1) at Del Mar, and there is something completely different at the beginning and end of this episode.

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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S7E45: Whitney, Hirsch, Hambo & the overrated

Three big race days at three big tracks share the focus this week on the Ron Flatter Racing Pod.

The Grade 1, $1 million Whitney Stakes featuring Pegasus World Cup (G1) and Met Mile (G1) winner National Treasure is one of the Saratoga races discussed by New York Racing Association TV analyst Acacia Clément. She also will touch on the Test (G1), the Saratoga Derby (G1) and Cogburn in the Troy (G2).

The Clement L. Hirsch (G1) at Del Mar could be the race of the weekend featuring Adare Manor and Eclipse Award winner Pretty Mischievous, who is trained by Brendan Walsh. He will talk about the difference between last year and this year for his champion filly and what she needs to do to win this weekend.

The $1 million Hambletonian, U.S. harness racing’s biggest event, gets the attention of Horse Racing Nation handicapper Ed DeRosa. He also has tips for the Hirsch, the Whitney and the Test.

John Cherwa and Ron go over feedback that is dominated by responses to Kenny McPeek’s decision to send division-leading filly Thorpedo Anna against the boys this month in the Travers (G1). John also reveals his candidate for the most overrated horse in training.

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!