From Kentucky Derby 2025 points preps to other weekend stakes to Fair Grounds moving forward after the New Orleans terror attack. All these topics are discussed this week on the Ron Flatter Racing Pod.

New Orleans-based trainer Neil Pessin discusses the racing community’s reaction to the Bourbon Street tragedy and his thoughts about Fair Grounds proceeding with its New Year’s Day program.

Trainer Michael McCarthy talks about two potential Derby horses. His undefeated colt Bullard races Saturday against Bob Baffert’s $3.2 million debut winner Barnes in the Grade 2 San Vicente Stakes at Santa Anita. He also has Journalism, who won last month in the Los Alamitos Futurity (G2) on the way to being the winter-book favorite in Las Vegas futures for the Derby.

Handicapper Ed DeRosa has analysis and picks for the Jerome Stakes at Aqueduct and Smarty Jones at Oaklawn, the two Derby points preps scheduled for Saturday. He also looks at the Turfway Prevue Stakes, which itself might produce a would-be runner for the roses.

John Cherwa is along to help distill listener and reader feedback and discuss some of the goings-on during the holidays.

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.