S8E50: Showdowns at Del Mar and Saratoga

Local standouts Journalism and Nysos face eastern shipper Fierceness in the Pacific Classic at Del Mar, and Mindframe gets a high-profile rematch with Sierra Leone in the Jockey Club Gold Cup at Saratoga. These 1 1/4-mile, Grade 1, $1 million races are spotlighted this week on the Ron Flater Racing Pod.

Christina Blacker of FanDuel TV provides insight on the east vs. west matchup in California. She discusses Preakness and Haskell (G1) winner Journalism’s first time facing older horses like Nysos and Fierceness in their audition for the Breeders’ Cup Classic over the same course and distance in a little more than two months.

Co-owner Brook T. Smith talks about whether Sierra Leone can reverse the trend against Mindframe when they have their third meeting, this time at Saratoga. He also outlines plans for the 4-year-old colt between now and the Breeders’ Cup as well as after the $7 million race in which Sierra Leone is the defending winner.

Super Screener creator Mike Shutty checks in from his home base near Del Mar to provide handicapping advice for the big weekend races.

Co-hosts John Cherwa of the Los Angeles Times and Keith Nelson of Fairmount Park join in a tribute to Secretariat’s late jockey Ron Turcotte.

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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S8E49: Bring on fall and the Travers

The 156th running of the Grade 1, $1.25 million Travers Stakes at Saratoga is not only the mid-summer derby. It also is the centerpiece this week for the Ron Flatter Racing Pod.

Racing analyst and TV host Andy Serling of New York Racing Association TV and Fox Sports is along to discuss the race, the Grade 1s on Saturday’s card and the Saratoga summer. He also will talk about the 3-year-old male division and how the Travers could go a long way toward determining the Eclipse Award.

Jockey Júnior Alvarado rides Kentucky Derby and Belmont Stakes winner Sovereignty in the Travers talks about the five-horse field this weekend and his strategy for the race.

Paddock Prince handicapper David Levitch examines the Travers and has tips for other races on the Saratoga card.

Co-hosts John Cherwa of the Los Angeles Times and Keith Nelson of Fairmount Park have their thoughts about the Travers as well as reaction to 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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S8E48: Canada to Italy to Alabama in N.Y.

Canada and Italy line up with the U.S. on this week’s menu for the Ron Flatter Racing Pod.

Ashley Mailloux from FanDuel TV will be at Woodbine this weekend for the 166th running of the King’s Plate. She offers analysis about the field that includes No Time, the morning-line favorite trying to become the 40th filly to win this first race of the Canadian Triple Crown.

The Palio di Siena, the ancient bareback race run twice every summer in Tuscany, happens again this weekend. Sportscaster Kenny Mayne and producer Matt Doyle recall their adventure covering the sometimes controversial event that is centuries old.

La Cara, Good Cheer and Nitrogen are the big names in the Grade 1 Alabama at Saratoga. Super Screener creator Mike Shutty handicaps that and other races this weekend.

Co-hosts John Cherwa of the Los Angeles Times and Keith Nelson of Fairmount Park join in paying tribute to a famous guest of an old Arlington Million (G1).

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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S8E47: The Million and a _____load of dimes

The Grade 1 Arlington Million returns this weekend to Virginia for the third time. It comes with the added attraction of Kentucky Derby 2024 winner Mystik Dan. The 42nd renewal of the well-traveled race catches the spotlight on this week’s Ron Flatter Racing Pod.

Colonial Downs track announcer Jason Beem checks in from his frequent travels to offer his thoughts on the $1 million race which lured Kentucky Derby 2024 winner Mystik Dan to try the turf for the first time. He also offers his thoughts on the rise of Virginia racing.

Hall of Famer Shug McGaughey trains 5-year-old morning-line favorite Integration and 6-year-old third choice Fort Washington. He talks about what it might take for Integration to go one better than last year’s second-place finish at Colonial. He also discusses Fort Washington’s season that includes two Grade 3 wins.

Paddock Prince handicapper David Levitch zeros in on the Arlington Million as well as the Sword Dancer (G1) card this weekend at Saratoga.

Co-hosts John Cherwa of the Los Angeles Times and Keith Nelson of Fairmount Park join in checking out listeners’ and readers’ feedback about last week’s interview with Resolute Racing owner John Stewart.

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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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.

Check out this episode!