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.

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S8E24: Fla. & Ark. derbies + a tribute to Bryce Miller

Handicapping of Kentucky Derby 2025 qualifiers this weekend and a tribute to the late San Diego columnist Bryce Miller take center stage on the Ron Flatter Racing Pod.

Del Mar president Joe Harper offers a tribute to Miller, whose turf writing took him from the seaside track to Triple Crown races to Breeders’ Cups.

Colleagues reminisce about a newspaper career that took Miller from his native Iowa to USA Today to the San Diego Union-Tribune. Former sports editor Jay Posner and podcast co-host and Los Angeles Times contributor John Cherwa share stories about their working with Miller.

Highlights of a 2022 interview with Miller will be replayed, including an infamous story about an Iowa man whose embarrassment about something he left in his car led him to a $2.2 million lottery win.

Paddock Prince handicapper David Levitch focuses on the Florida Derby and the Arkansas Derby, this weekend’s Grade 1 races that are automatic qualifiers for Churchill Downs in May. He also has tips for the Kentucky Oaks (G1) preps at Gulfstream Park and Oaklawn.

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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S8E23: Big Kentucky Derby preps and, sigh, Florida

On the track, off the track and at the window. They are the three stages for this week’s Ron Flatter Racing Pod.

The biggest preps for Kentucky Derby 2025 begin Saturday. Reigning champion jockey Flavien Prat has the ride on John Hancock, the undefeated colt who is the morning-line favorite for the Grade 2 Louisiana Derby. Prat discusses that race and his assignment on Eclipse Award winner Sierra Leone in the New Orleans Classic (G2).

This week’s vote in a legislative committee to advance the potential decoupling of Gulfstream Park’s racing and slot-machine licenses is discussed by National Horsemen’s Benevolent and Protective Association CEO Eric Hamelback. He explains why every horse-racing state should be concerned about what happens in Florida.

Handicapper Ed DeRosa offers tips for this weekend’s Louisiana Derby and Muniz Memorial Classic presented by Horse Racing Nation (G2) at Fair Grounds and the Jeff Ruby Steaks (G3), Turfway Park’s win-and-you’re-in qualifier for the Kentucky Derby.

Co-host John Cherwa joins in the analysis of listener and reader feedback on the Florida decoupling controversy.

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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S8E22: Yes, Virginia, there is a Kentucky Derby prep

A new Kentucky Derby 2025 prep, how racing is reacting to tariffs and decoupling and the National Horseplayers Championship are the subjects in the spotlight on the Ron Flatter Racing Pod.

Colonial Downs hosts this weekend’s $500,000 Virginia Derby, a qualifier for the run for the roses May 3. Churchill Downs Inc. vice president of racing Gary Palmisano Jr. talks about the race, the ongoing rise of the sport in Virginia and his family legacy that continues to drive him.

From federal tariffs to the proposed decoupling of racing and slot machines at Gulfstream Park, National Thoroughbred Racing Association CEO Tom Rooney provides an update. He also previews this weekend’s 26th annual NHC in Las Vegas, where an $800,000 first prize and an Eclipse Award will go to the winner.

Super Screener creator Mike Shutty handicaps the Virginia Derby and the Virginia Oaks at Colonial Downs and the Grade 3 Whitmore Stakes at Oaklawn.

John Cherwa joins in the conversation generated by listener and reader feedback from the past week, including reaction to the retirement of Del Mar announcer Trevor Denman.

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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S8E21: Proposal for world racing event + Ky. Derby prep

Seizing on the momentum of eye-catching events the Grade 1 Saudi Cup and the Four Nations hockey tournament, is the timing right for the World Riding Championship of Thoroughbred Racing? The concept catches the spotlight this week on the Ron Flatter Racing Pod.

Leon Nichols and Calvin Davis, the founders of the Project to Preserve African-American Turf History, return to the podcast in their roles with Bet the World Entertainment. The proposal to bring together an international cast of horses, trainers and riders has received endorsements at the same time as it faces obstacles. Nichols and Davis discuss these matters in depth.

California Horse Racing Board vice chair Oscar Gonzales also joins the panel to discuss the proposal for what is envisioned as a global event.

Mark Midland handicaps weekend races including the Grade 3 Tampa Bay Derby, a virtual win-and-you’re-in qualifier for Kentucky Derby 2025.

Listener and reader feedback is focused on last week’s column calling for a more balanced scheduling of Kentucky Derby points preps.

To keep up with developments with the World Riding Championship, go to the ppaath.net.

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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