The Ron Flatter Racing Pod

While we are in Minnesota to cover Super Bowl LII, we caught up with Vikings radio broadcaster Paul Allen, who doubles as the voice of Canterbury Park. Stronach Group COO Tim Ritvo discusses the future for Gulfstream Park, Santa Anita and Maryland Racing, including the possibility that the Preakness Stakes may be moved from Pimlico to Laurel Park. We look back on a moment in racing featuring Bill Shoemaker, and the weekend preview looks at Saturday's three Kentucky Derby preps - the Holy Bull, the Withers and the Robert B. Lewis. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com

The world's richest horse race gets an in-depth preview on the Ron Flatter Racing Pod, which comes to you from Gulfstream Park in Florida. Hall of Fame trainer Steve Asmussen talks about this final race for 2017 Horse of the Year Gun Runner. Handicapper Matt Bernier of the Daily Racing Form goes over each horse in the race. The flashback to racing history recalls the opening of Hialeah Park. This week's pod is sponsored by DRF Bets. Listen to find out how you can get a $200 betting bonus without having to pay a deposit. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com

The $16 million Pegasus World Cup Invitational is the world's richest horse race, and it gets an early preview with racing journalist John Pricci and trainer Jamie Osborne. Pricci is in south Florida to offer a handicapping snapshot of the Jan. 27 race and discuss the concept that spawned this big-money event. Osborne checks in from England, where he saw off Toast Of New York to continue his comeback in the Pegasus. There is also a racing flashback to 1932, when Phar Lap arrived in North America only to suffer a tragic fate. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com

Previews of three Kentucky Derby points preps this extended weekend are the focus of this RFRP. Track announcer John G. Dooley checks in from the Fair Grounds to help preview the loaded field in the Lecomte Stakes, and he also exchanges thoughts on everything from Boulogne to beignets - or racing around the world to food in New Orleans. Jockey Brian Hernandez Jr., who rides in the Lecomte, discusses his career. A moment in racing history flashes back to the day that Turf Paradise opened in 1956. And we break down the Lecomte, the Jerome and the Smarty Jones stakes individually and in the greater context of the Kentucky Derby. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com

This edition features jockey Rajiv Maragh, who talks about his recovery from a serious 2015 injury and his move from the east coast to California. Jody McDonald (CBS Sports Radio, WFAN, WIP, SiriusXM) discusses Kentucky Derby futures betting and how racing may be helped by legalized sports gambling in his home state New Jersey. This week's moment in racing history looks back on Spectacular Bid's undefeated 1980, which began with a January victory at Santa Anita. And Ron reviews the ballot he cast for the Eclipse Awards. Please subscribe and post a review where available at Apple Podcasts, Google Play Music and Stitcher. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com

Opening week at Santa Anita meant a visit to The Great Race Place for this week's RFRP. Trainer John Sadler reacts to his star Stellar Wind being raced one more time - but not for him - and he talks about his success in handling female horses and about the new initiatives designed to help racing in southern California. Jay Privman of the Daily Racing Form shares his thoughts about the state of racing in California, the Pegasus World Cup, the Kentucky Derby and the competition for betting dollars among racetracks around the country. We look back at the day Santa Anita first opened in 1934, we have some thoughts about some strange happenings on opening day, we have a snapshot of the upcoming Jerome Stakes and we remember the late Jack Van Berg. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com

This is a special Christmas edition of the RFRP with GFOR (Good Friends of Ron). Chris Fallica - "The Bear" from ESPN College GameDay - comes to Las Vegas with stories about his experiences in handicapping contests as well as his thoughts about next year's Kentucky Derby. Scott Burton - the Paris-based correspondent for Racing Post - checks in via Skype to compare notes on U.S. and European race betting. Our look back at racing history recalls the closing four years ago of Hollywood Park. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com

Because of limited distribution at the time, the premiere episode of the RFRP is reposted here with jockey Mike Smith and turf writer Jennie Rees. This was originally posted at VSiN.com on Oct. 27, 2017. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com

In a special edition of the RFRP, Blood-Horse reporter Jeremy Balan tells Ron the story of how he covered last week's San Luis Rey Downs fire, including all the challenges of getting to the scene and digesting afterward what happened. Joe Bravo was at the Jockeys' Guild Annual Assembly in Las Vegas, where he offered us some strong opinions about rider safety and even how the Supreme Court sports-gambling case might not be beneficial to racing in New Jersey. And our moment in racing history is a flashback to the controversial winning streak turned in by Rapid Redux. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com

The fire that killed racehorses Thursday in southern California takes precedent. But we still look ahead with Zayat Stables vice president Justin Zayat to Saturday's Los Alamitos Futurity and next year's Kentucky Derby (and back at American Pharoah). TVG's Candice Hare handicaps this weekend's Hong Kong International Races. And our look back at racing history brings back memories of Silky Sullivan. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com

The theme of this podcast is New York. Trainer Todd Pletcher tells us about his top 2-year-olds, NYRA handicapper and TV host Andy Serling examines the Remsen Stakes and Cigar Mile. Ron Flatter looks back on a memorable day at Belmont Park that had a sad postscript. We also look back on the first pool of the Kentucky Derby Future Wager. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com

On the first weekend of betting in the Kentucky Derby Future Wager, Wynn Las Vegas oddsmaker Johnny Avello discusses early wagering on the race. Tony-nominated actress/singer and Kentucky native Laura Bell Bundy talks about her love of horse racing and especially the Derby. Ron Flatter looks back at a moment in racing history 70 years ago this month, when one racehorse's funeral was such big news that it was broadcast live on national radio. Plus a preview of the Clark Handicap. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com

New Southern California Sports Broadcasters Hall of Fame inductee Trevor Denman discusses his 35 years calling races at Santa Anita and Del Mar, racing database creator Bruno De Julio looks at this month's thoroughbred sales in Kentucky, and both offer their views on what bettors should look for - and should ignore. Plus a moment in racing history when The Daily Racing Form was born, and we remember the two-time Breeders' Cup Mile champion Lure. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com

This week's Ron Flatter Racing Pod looks back at the Breeders' Cup to find out what we may apply to betting in the weeks and months ahead. Nisan Gabbay, the winner of the $1 million Breeders' Cup Betting Challenge, joins us to discuss his successful strategy and to respond to a collusion investigation that is focused on his victory, and Ed DeRosa of TwinSpires.com helps us break down what went right and wrong for bettors at Del Mar. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com

The Breeders' Cup is Friday and Saturday at Del Mar, and this week's edition of the Ron Flatter Racing Pod looks at the $28 million event that is the richest in horse racing. Hall of Fame trainer and 14-time Breeders' Cup winner Bob Baffert is our guest for an extended conversation about his horses. Gaughan Gaming's Vinny Magliulo and South Point handicapper Patrick McQuiggan join Ron to break down all 13 championship races to help bettors find winners. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com