Closing weekend at Del Mar, big-money races at Kentucky Downs and the Virginia Derby at Colonial Downs fill a busy weekend that gets the attention of this week’s Ron Flatter Racing Pod.

Getaway Car is the favorite for Sunday’s Grade 1 Del Mar Futurity, a race that has produced seven Kentucky Derby winners. SF Racing managing partner Tom Ryan discusses the process he and trainer Bob Baffert use to identify the best 2-year-olds in hopes they make repeated trips to the winner’s circle.

The Virginia Derby caps the summer season at Colonial Downs. It also signals the dawning of a new era at the track, which will host a Kentucky Derby points prep in March. Jill Byrne of the Virginia Equine Alliance checks in with a snapshot of how and why racing in her state is on the rise.

Horse Racing Nation handicapper Ed DeRosa offers tips for the Virginia Derby plus stakes at Kentucky Downs and Del Mar. John Cherwa joins Ron to go over the feedback from last week’s interview with jockey Juan Hernández.

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.