S8E29: Pop-up with Kentucky Derby hard-core handicappers

Deep analysis of every horse in Kentucky Derby 2025 is ready to hear now with the hard-core handicappers pop-up episode of the Ron Flatter Racing Pod.

Horse Racing Nation handicappers Ed DeRosa and Mark Midland and DraftKings Sportsbook director Johnny Avello in Las Vegas go through the entire field from the favorite Journalism to the longest of long shots. They evaluate every horse from 1 to 20 plus no. 21 Baeza, who could add to the four also-eligibles who have shown up in the superfecta since the Derby points era began 12 years ago.

How will they play the favorite Journalism? Will Sovereign and Sandman figure prominently on their tickets? Who are the tosses, and who are the value plays? The panel answers all those questions

The Ron Flatter Racing Pod via Horse Racing Nation is posted every Friday with pop-ups like this one for Triple Crown and Breeders’ Cup races. It is available via free subscription from Apple, Firefox, iHeart and Spotify as well as HorseRacingNation.com.

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S8E28: You are listening live to 2 HofF’ers

Two Hall of Famers and a successful handicapper line up to preview Kentucky Derby 2025 this week on the Ron Flatter Racing Pod.

Six-time Derby winner Bob Baffert discusses his Grade 2 Wood Memorial winner Rodríguez, 2024 champion juvenile male Citizen Bull and his return to Churchill Downs with a lineup of horses for more than just the Derby.

Brent Musburger, who was just announced as the Pete Rozelle Award winner by the Pro Football Hall of Fame, talks about some of his memorable visits to the Derby as well as his handicapping thoughts for next Saturday.

Super Screener creator Mike Shutty offers some of the overarching views he has about the run for the roses, especially the anticipated pace of the race and how to grade Japan runners Luxor Café and Admire Daytona.

Co-host John Cherwa of the Los Angeles Times joins in the 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.

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S8E27: Kentucky Derby talk with Cox, Hazelton and Midland

From Churchill Downs, Kentucky Derby 2025 talk intensifies on the Ron Flatter Racing Pod.

Two-time Eclipse Award-winning trainer Brad Cox discusses Grade 1 Florida Derby winner Tappan Street and Jeff Ruby Steaks (G3) victor Final Gambit, his two horses for the Derby. He also talks about undefeated Good Cheer, who will be the favorite in the Kentucky Oaks (G1).

FanDuel TV’s Scott Hazelton offers his early thoughts on handicapping the Derby, especially the horses he has watched in the flesh as well as Luxor Café and Admire Daytona, the two colts from Japan who he will be seeing for the first time. He also talks about Hall of Fame trainer Bob Baffert’s return to the race that he has won six times and whether he sees a seventh trophy going back to Southern California.

Horse Racing Nation’s Mark Midland handicaps two Preakness qualifiers at Oaklawn and Laurel Park as well as the graded stakes Saturday at Keeneland. He also has some early thoughts about the Kentucky Derby.

Co-host John Cherwa joins to field listener and reader feedback and throw his $2 worth into the Derby conversation.

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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S8E26: Look who's back: Zipse with Casse, DeRosa and Derby talk

Three weeks before Kentucky Derby 2025, America’s biggest race dominates the discussion on this week’s Ron Flatter Racing Pod.

Brian Zipse, the longtime co-host of HorseCenter, makes his first appearance since he was sidelined with severe hearing loss. Thanks to technology, he is able to field questions about the Derby, his trip Saturday to see Thorpedo Anna in the Grade 1 Apple Blossom Handicap at Oaklawn and how he has been doing.

U.S. and Canada hall of famer Mark Casse talks about the horses he is training in the Derby and the Kentucky Oaks (G1), namely Arkansas Derby (G1) victor Sandman and Ashland (G1) winner La Cara. He also touches on some of the political issues facing horse racing.

Ed DeRosa offers some broad brushstrokes about his betting strategy for the Kentucky Derby and specifics on how he is playing three graded stakes this weekend at Keeneland.

Co-host John Cherwa of the Los Angeles Times checks in from Florida to hlep field 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.

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S8E25: Dutrow, Jaime and Shutty & 3 Kentucky Derby preps

With only four weeks left until Kentucky Derby 2025, the last three major qualifying preps have the attention of this week’s Ron Flatter Racing Pod.

Derby-winning trainer Rick Dutrow discusses Captain Cook, one of the top contenders in what is expected to be a wet running Saturday of the Grade 2 Wood Memorial at Aqueduct. Dutrow talks about whether the weather will benefit his colt and how the race will be run. He also talks about the two years he has been back in racing after his 10-year suspension ended.

FanDuel TV analyst Joaquin Jaime looks at the overall Kentucky Derby picture, including the showdown between consensus futures favorite Journalism and Eclipse Award winner Citizen Bull in the Santa Anita Derby (G1) on Saturday. There also will be conversation about the Wood and about Tuesday’s Blue Grass (G1) at Keeneland.

Super Screener creator Mike Shutty zeroes in on each of the three Derby qualifiers, and co-host John Cherwa of the Los Angeles Times checks in from California to field 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!