S6E26: Final Fractions Theory 2.0

Three weeks before Kentucky Derby 2023, the Ron Flatter Racing Pod examines the prep trail that made Forte the favorite for the May 6 classic.

Jockey Irad Ortiz Jr. discusses his Florida Derby (G1) victory riding the Eclipse Award winner.

Longtime turf writer and publicist Jennie Rees discusses the Final Fractions Theory that she pioneered and how it may impact handicapping for this year’s classic. She also talks about changes in the points system this year and how it affected the end of the road to the Derby.

Handicapper Ed DeRosa also talks about the qualifying system in addition to offering tips on the Jenny Wiley (G1) and Lexington (G3) at Keeneland and the Apple Blossom Handicap (G1) at Oaklawn.

Listener and reader feedback is also on this episode.

The Ron Flatter Racing Pod via Horse Racing Nation is available via free subscription from Apple, Google, Spotify and Stitcher as well as HorseRacingNation.com.

More on the Final Fractions Theory: https://www.horseracingnation.com/news/Ky_Derby_formula_Fractions_figures_cut_list_of_contenders_to_5_or_6_123

 

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S6E25: ‘We’re in the vault’ at Keeneland

The Blue Grass, the Santa Anita Derby and the Wood Memorial are the last of the major preps for Kentucky Derby 2023, and they are main topics this week on the Ron Flatter Racing Pod.

Trainer Kenny McPeek has three horses trying to pull off the upset in the Blue Grass Stakes. He will talk about them and this year’s Derby trail.

Recently inducted in the National Horseplayers Championship Hall of Fame, Keeneland executive Jim Goodman talks about the weekend preps and the advent of sports gambling in Kentucky.

Paddock Prince handicapper David Levitch focuses on races at Aqueduct and Keeneland in his tips for weekend betting.

There also is listener and reader feedback.

The Ron Flatter Racing Pod via Horse Racing Nation is available via free subscription from Apple, Google, Spotify and Stitcher as well as HorseRacingNation.com.

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S6E24: Take me out to the ballgame ... and racetrack

The Florida Derby and Arkansas Derby, two Grade 1 preps for Kentucky Derby 2023, are this weekend, and they are the focus of the Ron Flatter Racing Pod.

Fox Sports racing analyst Paul Lo Duca checks in from Oaklawn to talk about both preps as well as opening week and the new rules in his old sport, baseball.

National Horsemen’s Benevolent and Protective Association CEO Eric Hamelback discusses the latest court fight against the Horseracing Integrity and Safety Authority.

Super Screener creator Mike Shutty has weekend handicapping as he tries to build on his 8-for-9 streak last week. He looks at the Arkansas Derby as well as two turf races on the Florida Derby undercard.

Feedback zeroes in on last week’s column on 10 ways to turn horse racing into must-see TV.

The Ron Flatter Racing Pod via Horse Racing Nation is available via free subscription from Apple, Google, Spotify and Stitcher as well as HorseRacingNation.com.

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S6E23: A lifetime of chance

The first of the major U.S. preps for Kentucky Derby 2023 is the topic at hand on this week’s Ron Flatter Racing Pod.

Fair Grounds track announcer John G. Dooley previews the Saturday running of the Louisiana Derby (G2), from which at least the top two finishers are likely to be in the starting gate May 6 at Churchill Downs.

DraftKings Sportsbook director Johnny Avello discusses wagering on Kentucky Derby futures and using apps for sports betting and trends in betting on races in 2023.

Horse Racing Nation’s Mark Midland handicaps Saturday’s Louisiana Derby and the Jeff Ruby Steaks (G3) at Turfway Park.

There also is listener and reader feedback to stories at HRN, including a recent piece on how to bet the Tapeta surface at Turfway.

The Ron Flatter Racing Pod via Horse Racing Nation is available via free subscription from Apple, Google, Spotify and Stitcher as well as HorseRacingNation.com.

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S6E22: Three words: Bourbon and Thoroughbreds

On this week’s Ron Flatter Racing Pod, whiskey entrepreneur Amir Peay is joined in Lexington, Ky., by Leon Nichols of the Project to Preserve African American Turf History and Allen Carter from Silver Springs Farm to talk about the legacy of long-ago horse owner and distiller James E. Pepper and his role in diversifying sports like racing and boxing more than a century ago.

From Las Vegas, National Thoroughbred Racing Association CEO Tom Rooney discusses the rise in popularity of handicapping contests like the National Horseplayers Championship as well as the rollout of the Horseracing Integrity and Safety Act.

Horse Racing Nation’s Ed DeRosa handicaps weekend races, including graded stakes at Oaklawn and the start of a Pick 6 with a mandatory payout at Charles Town.

There also is listener feedback from comments on Twitter about recent HRN stories.

The Ron Flatter Racing Pod via Horse Racing Nation is available via free subscription from Apple, Google, Spotify and Stitcher as well as HorseRacingNation.com.

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S6E21: Viva, Horse Vegas

From Las Vegas, the National Horseplayers Championship is center stage on the Ron Flatter Racing Pod. Former NHC winners David Harrison and Paul Matties join economics professor and horseplayer Marshall Gramm to discuss betting matters and a study that Gramm did that quantifies the impact of computer players at the racetrack. Trainer Robertino Diodoro talks about Lovely Ride’s bid to pull off the upset this weekend in the Azeri Stakes (G2) at Oaklawn. Paddock Prince David Levitch handicaps weekend races at Tampa Bay Downs and Gulfstream Park. There also is reader and listener feedback. The Ron Flatter Racing Pod via Horse Racing Nation is available via free subscription from Apple, Google, Spotify and Stitcher as well as HorseRacingNation.com.

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S6E20: Southern ‘horse’-pitality

Kentucky Derby 2023 preps at four tracks this weekend are the focus of this week’s Ron Flatter Racing Pod.

Hall of Fame trainer Todd Pletcher talks about the return of Eclipse Award winner Forte in the Fountain of Youth Stakes (G2) at Gulfstream Park.

Longtime Tennessee turf talker Danny Brewer offers his unique perspective on the move of Bob Baffert’s Derby prospects to other trainers as well as his thoughts about this weekend’s points races.

Super Screener creator Mike Shutty has weekend handicapping advice on the Davona Dale, the Mac Diarmida and the Fountain of Youth.

There is listener and reader feedback, too.

The Ron Flatter Racing Pod via Horse Racing Nation is available via free subscription from Apple, Google, Spotify and Stitcher as well as HorseRacingNation.com.

Check out this episode!