S9E38: We will raise The Hammer

Rick Hammerle, a horseplayer and a longtime racing executive who sits on the American Graded Stakes Committee member, is the special guest this week on the Ron Flatter Racing Pod.

Hammerle talks about topics that range from why there are so many graded stakes to the bigfooted presence of computer-assisted wagering to why racetracks should have newer music played for spectators. In a myth-busting tale he has spun more than a few times in public and private conversations, Hammerle looks back on the 2018 emergence of eventual Triple Crown winner Justify and how he was instrumental in writing the champion colt’s first two races while he was Santa Anita’s racing secretary. He also talks about his current role at Kentucky Downs.

Co-hosts John Cherwa of the Los Angeles Times and Keith Nelson of Fairmount Park offer their popular host chat.

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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S9E37: As many humans as Belmont horses

Anticipating Saturday’s finale to the Triple Crown season, there are as many humans as there are Belmont Stakes 2026 horses on the regular episode of the Ron Flatter Racing Pod.

Chris Fallica, who is best known as The Bear on Fox Sports’ “Big Noon Kickoff” during football season, leads off the guest list. He also is a seasoned horseplayer who has opinions about how the Belmont will be run.

Andy Serling from Fox Sports and New York Racing Association TV offers his analysis of the Belmont and more high points on a loaded undercard Saturday at Saratoga.

Trainers Todd Pletcher of Renegade and Powershift, Brad Cox of Commandment and Cherie DeVaux of Kentucky Derby winner Golden Tempo offer their insights to the Belmont.

Paddock Prince handicapper David Levitch has tips for the Manhattan-Belmont double on Saturday’s card.

John Cherwa of the Los Angeles Times and Keith Nelson of Fairmount Park check in with their popular chat segment and throw in their Belmont picks. Sort of.

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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S9E36: Belmont Stakes hard-core handicappers

Deep analysis of every horse in Belmont Stakes 2026 is ready to hear now from the hard-core handicappers in their latest pop-up episode of the Ron Flatter Racing Pod.

Horse Racing Nation handicappers Mark Midland and Ed DeRosa are joined by FanDuel TV’s Caton Bredar. They go through the entire field, 1 through 9, including morning-line favorite Renegade and Kentucky Derby winner Golden Tempo.

How will they play the five horses coming out of the Derby and into this last 1 1/4-mile running of the Belmont at Saratoga? How do they see what looms as an iffy pace picture? Most important, what are their opinions about the pretenders amid the contenders? Where is the value? How will the horses take to the track at Saratoga? The panel answers all those questions.

There also is a bonus discussion about the best plays on the Saturday undercard at Saratoga.

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.

A video version of this episode will be posted to the HRN YouTube page Wednesday morning.

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S9E35: Counting down to Belmont Stakes

Belmont Stakes 2026 next Saturday concludes the Triple Crown series as well as the race’s three years at Saratoga. It is the focus of this week’s Ron Flatter Racing Pod.

Maggie Wolfendale-Morley of Fox Sports and the New York Racing Association checks in with early angles on some of the top choices in the Belmont, including likely favorite Renegade as well as Kentucky Derby 2026 winner Golden Tempo. She also has a snapshot of the Grade 1 Met Mile, where Nysos and Journalism are expected to start on the Belmont Stakes undercard.

Case Clay of Wathnan Racing talks about Belmont Stakes contender Commandment and multimillionaire Hit Show, who races Saturday on Stephen Foster preview day at Churchill Downs. He also discusses the rapid rise of the Qatar-based operation and his own move from Three Chimneys Farm, which his family used to own. Clay even shares the story of how he tried his hand at comedy with Second City in Chicago.

Super Screener creator Mike Shutty has early angles that he is pursuing for the Belmont Stakes as well as handicapping of two of the graded turf stakes on Saturday’s card at Churchill Downs.

Co-hosts John Cherwa of the Los Angeles Times and Keith Nelson of Fairmount Park have their popular chat segment and weigh in on listener and reader feedback from last week’s interview with Brent Musburger and Chuck Todd.

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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S9E34: Brent Musburger meets Chuck Todd

Broadcasting icons and sports bettors Brent Musburger and Chuck Todd get together to discuss their ideas to cure what ails the Triple Crown in an exclusive conversation on the Ron Flatter Racing Pod.

Musburger’s years at CBS, ABC and VSiN took him to assignments that included the Kentucky Derby, Preakness and Belmont Stakes. Todd’s work at NBC did not keep him from having a run at betting on horses. Both accomplished more recently in gambling on other games, they have ideas on how racing can survive in the 21st century.

In the blush of Napoleon Solo’s victory in Preakness 2026, Maryland Jockey Club president and general manager Bill Knauf assesses the week at Laurel Park and the transition back to Pimlico next year. He also talks about the coming partnership with Churchill Downs, which is poised to take over the intellectual-property rights to the Preakness as it may move forward on a different date in 2027.

Handicapper Ed DeRosa offers tips for Memorial Day stakes races, including the big card at Santa Anita on Monday. He also offers advice on how to bet the Keertana Stakes on Saturday at Churchill Downs.

Co-hosts John Cherwa of the Los Angeles Times and Keith Nelson of Fairmount Park have their popular chat segment and weigh in on listener and reader feedback from Preakness 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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S9E33: A Laurel and hearty Preakness

From Laurel Park in Maryland, this weekend’s Preakness Stakes at its unique 2026 location is the centerpiece of the Ron Flatter Racing Pod.

Two-time Eclipse Award-winning turf writer John Scheinman pays his annual visit by way of an after-dinner interview from his hometown Baltimore. He talks about the changing landscape of Maryland racing as it moves to new caretakers and a reimagined Pimlico next year. He also talks about the past, present and future of the Preakness in addition to offering his tips for Saturday’s race.

Ocelli’s trainer Whit Beckman, Chip Honcho’s trainer Steve Asmussen and undefeated Taj Mahal’s wife-and-husband team of trainer Brittany Russell and jockey Sheldon Russell have the view from the stables as they look forward to the 151st Preakness.

Paddock Prince handicapper David Levitch zeroes in on three stakes on the Saturday card at Laurel Park, including the $2 million feature.

Co-hosts John Cherwa and Keith Nelson join Ron in going through feedback about the Cherwa plan to save the Triple Crown, a proposal built around requiring a fit Kentucky Derby-winning horse to race in the Preakness.

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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S9E32: Hard-core handicappers pop up for Preakness

With a 14-horse field to ponder and study, the hard-core handicappers are back to analyze every horse in Preakness 2026. They are on this special, pop-up episode of the Ron Flatter Racing Pod.

FanDuel TV’s Caton Bredar joins Horse Racing Nation handicappers Ed DeRosa and Mark Midland as well as host Ron Flatter from Laurel Park. They consider whether Iron Honor is a worthy 9-2 favorite on the morning line. They also weigh the possibility that the shortest price come post time Saturday could be Incredibolt or Ocelli from the Kentucky Derby or perhaps new shooter Chip Honcho.

The absence of Kentucky Derby winner Golden Tempo and the largest Preakness field in 15 years contribute to the conversation about overlays and underlays for this 151st edition of the Preakness, which is being run this year at Laurel Park while Pimlico is being rebuilt.

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!