On the road in New Orleans, the first major preps for Kentucky Derby 2024 are in the spotlight on the Ron Flatter Racing Pod.

At Fair Grounds, two-time Eclipse Award-winning trainer Brad Cox discusses his Derby campaign, including his running of Catching Freedom in Saturday's Grade 2, $1 million Louisiana Derby. He also discusses Timberlake's upcoming move into the Arkansas Derby (G1) next weekend. Finally, Cox has morning-line favorite Tarifa going Saturday in the Fair Grounds Oaks (G2), a points prep for Kentucky Oaks (G1).

Fair Grounds track announcer John G. Dooley offer his insights about the trends during the winter meet that will come to a close this weekend. He also has an early preview of the Horseshoe Indianapolis opening day April 8, when a total eclipse of the sun will pass over the track during the program.

Handicapper Mark Midland has tips for Saturday's Bayou-Bluegrass Pick 5, which takes in the Louisiana Derby, Fair Grounds Oaks and New Orleans Classic (G2) at Fair Grounds and the Jeff Ruby Steaks (G3) and Bourbonette Oaks at Turfway Park.

John Cherwa and Ron discuss the California Horse Racing Board meeting Thursday, when a 26-day north-state meet was approved to help fill the void with the closing of Golden Gate Fields in less than three months.

The Ron Flatter Racing Pod via Horse Racing Nation is available via free subscription from Apple, Firefox, Google, iHeart and Spotify as well as HorseRacingNation.com. This week's episode is sponsored by Xpressbet.

For information on Saturday's $500 Santa Anita-Xpressbet handicapping tournament, go to xpressbet.com/tournaments.