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.

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S7E44: Lighting cauldron in New York & Paris

Covering someone racing at Saratoga and someone who covers horse racing from the site of the Paris Olympics. They are part of this week’s Ron Flatter Racing Pod.

Jockey Jaime Torres talks about his ride Saturday on Preakness winner Seize the Grey in the Grade 2 Jim Dandy Stakes at Saratoga. He talks about having to go against Sierra Leone and Fierceness in a race that could shape next month’s Travers (G1). He also tells the story of a personal rivalry with a long shot in the Jim Dandy field as well as the ambitions that could have had him in France right now.

Turf writer Scott Burton of Racing Post has been based for 17 years in Paris, where he will get to treat the Olympics as a home game. He talks about some of the experiences he already has had dealing with the games being in his back yard. He also has some tips for the King George (G1) on Saturday at Ascot, England.

Horse Racing Nation handicapper Mark Midland will handicap weekend races, and John Cherwa helps Ron sift through feedback about last week’s interview with Mike Repole and the end of Bob Baffert’s three-year suspension by Churchill Downs.

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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S7E43: Repole and the Del Mar singers

Opening day at Del Mar and the Grade 1, $1 million Haskell Stakes at Monmouth Park are the focus of this week’s episode of the Ron Flatter Racing Pod.

Mike Repole, who owns the favorite Mindframe and Eclipse Award winner Fierceness, discusses his thinking into whether to send both horses to the post Saturday for the Haskell. He also talks about having that race and the Jim Dandy Stakes (G2) next weekend at Saratoga so close together. He also has some candid thoughts about some of the first steps racing can take to turn the sport in the right direction.

Workout analyst Bruno De Julio checks in from his trackside clocking work to provide his perspective on the West Coast’s most popular meet, including storylines that horseplayers may want to pursue this summer. He also talks about undefeated Medoro’s bid to win the San Clemente (G2), the opening-day feature at Del Mar

Super Screener creator Mike Shutty is back to offer tips for the Haskell, the Coaching Club American Oaks (G1) at Saratoga and undercard stakes Saturday at both tracks.

Co-host John Cherwa joins Ron to go through the past week’s listener and reader feedback, and there may be a surprise or two from some unlikely singers of Del Mar’s signature song.

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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S7E42: They’re off at Saratoga

The opening at Saratoga 2024 and Saturday’s Grade 1 Diana Stakes are front and center on this week’s episode of the Ron Flatter Racing Pod.

TV analyst Maggie Wolfendale Morley of Fox Sports and the New York Racing Association discusses some of the most-anticipated races this summer, including next month’s Travers (G1) as well as the early highlights of the meet.

Trainer Ignacio Correas IV talks about his mare Didia, a recent Grade 1 winner who faces nine rivals including five from the Chad Brown barn this weekend in the Diana.

Paddock Prince handicapper David Levitch returns to offer tips for Saratoga as well as his look ahead to the rest of the Saratoga summer.

Co-host John Cherwa joins Ron to go through the past week’s 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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S7E41: All about computer betting

Computer-assisted wagering. Is it the wave for all future betting on horse races, or is it the scourge that will drive gamblers away from the game? That is the theme of this week’s Ron Flatter Racing Pod.

Elite Turf Club president Scott Daruty and professor and horseplayer Marshall Gramm are together to talk about the ins and outs of what has come to be known by the acronym CAW, both for good and for bad. They will talk about how batch betting has changed the game and criticism that it has prevented a level playing field for horseplayers.

Racing attorney Drew Couto was there in the early days of computer betting and has stories about how it has evolved, complete with his own experiences that were filled with international intrigue.

Horse Racing Nation handicapper Ed DeRosa also weighs in on the subject in addition to offering tips for three stakes races Saturday on the Indiana Derby card at Horseshoe Indianapolis.

Co-host John Cherwa also offers critical commentary about computer wagering in addition to his thoughts about the host’s recent vacation.

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!