S8E46: Whitney talk and more with JK and Resolute

The Grade 1, $1 million Whitney Stakes featuring Fierceness, Sierra Leone and White Abarrio may be the race of the year, so far. It is the primary subject of this week’s Ron Flatter Racing Pod.

“Saratoga Live” analyst Jonathon Kinchen from the New York Racing Association and Fox Sports offers his thoughts on the Whitney field, some of the other races on Saturday’s card and some behind-the-scenes insights into his popular Cart Talk feature.

Away from Saratoga, Resolute Racing founder John Stewart discusses his rapid success in the short time he has been an owner, and he talks about plans he has for star broodmare Puca.

Handicapper Ed DeRosa zeroes in on the Whitney and other weekend races. Co-hosts John Cherwa of the Los Angeles Times and Keith Nelson of Fairmount Park join in checking out listeners’ and readers’ 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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S8E45: Speaking of Spa & Del Mar, it’s Privman the human & horse

The return of Kentucky Derby and Belmont Stakes winner Sovereignty in the Grade 2 Jim Dandy at Saratoga and the showcase for sprinters in the Bing Crosby (G1) at Del Mar are among the topics for the Ron Flatter Racing Pod.

Retired turf writer Jay Privman discusses the California summer that may include Preakness winner Journalism facing older rivals next month in the Pacific Classic (G1). He also will talk about his namesake horse who broke his maiden Sunday.

Trainer Bob Hess Jr. offers an update on Roll On Big Joe, who tests Grade 1 waters Saturday in the Bing Crosby. He also offers his thoughts about the immediate future of California racing.

Mark Midland handicaps weekend races including the Jim Dandy plus more selections at Saratoga, Del Mar and Woodbine, and co-hosts John Cherwa of the Los Angeles Times and Keith Nelson of Fairmount Park help go through listener and reader feedback about Del Mar and Florida racing.

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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S8E44: From Surf to Shore with Collmus and Wellman

Opening week at Del Mar and the Grade 1, $1 million Haskell Stakes at Monmouth Park are the main topics this week on the Ron Flatter Racing Pod.

Larry Collmus checks in from Del Mar, where he makes his debut as the permanent announcer for all seasons. He offers his thoughts about the meet that will be highlighted by next month’s Pacific Classic (G1). He also talks about his cross-country drive that led him to where the turf meets the surf.

Aron Wellman of Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners speaks from his drive between Newark Liberty International Airport and the Jersey Shore to discuss Journalism’s bid to win the Haskell. He also fields questions about whether he might consider running the Preakness winner against older competition next month in the $1 million Pacific Classic (G1) at Del Mar.

Super Screener creator Mike Shutty has handicapping tips for the Haskell card and for opening week at Del Mar. Co-hosts John Cherwa of the Los Angeles Times and Keith Nelson of Fairmount Park are scheduled to help with listener and reader feedback.

The Ron Flatter Racing Pod via Horse Racing Nation is available via free subscription from platforms like Apple, Firefox, iHeart and Spotify as well as HorseRacingNation.com.

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S8E43: Summer at Saratoga plus a new cast member

The formal start of the Saratoga summer with some familiar names and the introduction of a new voice highlight this week’s episode of the Ron Flatter Racing Pod.

Horse Racing Nation writer and HorseCenter host Matt Shifman checks in from upstate New York to offer his thoughts about the upcoming meet, the potential rematch next month of Sovereignty and Journalism in the Grade 1 Travers and some tips for fans taking in the races this summer at the Spa.

Trainer Cherie DeVaux discusses She Feels Pretty, her four-time Grade 1 winner who is favored Saturday in the Grade 1 Diana Stakes. She also introduces Dr. Agne, the 2-year-old debutant named for the pioneering equine podiatrist who died in a bicycle accident nearly 10 years ago.

Paddock Prince handicapper David Levitch zeroes in on Saratoga with his tips for the weekend.

There is listener and reader feedback, and regular co-host John Cherwa of the Los Angeles Times is joined by Fairmount Park announcer Keith Nelson, a new addition to the RFRP cast.

The Ron Flatter Racing Pod via Horse Racing Nation is available via free subscription from platforms like Apple, Firefox, iHeart and Spotify as well as HorseRacingNation.com.

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S8E42: A visit to Fairmount and tips for Saratoga

With Chicagoland racing on the decline, Fairmount Park near St. Louis has become the one track in Illinois where the sport is on the rise. This week the Collinsville venue plays host for this on-the-road episode of the Ron Flatter Racing Pod.

Vince Gabbert, a former executive at Keeneland, talks about his decision to run Fairmount Park since it was bought last year by the publicly traded gaming company Accel. He also discusses the recent opening of a casino inside the 100-year-old site, making it the first racetrack in Illinois to take advantage of that revenue stream.

Jim Watkins, the president of the Illinois Horsemen’s Benevolent and Protective Association, discusses the challenges facing owners and trainers like him who continue to race their horses at both Fairmount and at Hawthorne in suburban Chicago. He also expresses his optimism about the potential expansion of racing at Fairmount beyond its current Tuesday-and-Saturday schedule.

With the Saratoga summer getting an early start, handicapper Ed DeRosa offers tips for the Saturday’s card highlighted by the Grade 1 Belmont Derby Invitational. He also has analysis for other races from the holiday-weekend menu across the country.

Fairmount track announcer Keith Nelson fills in for John Cherwa as this week’s co-host.

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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