He balks at the idea that he is the mayor of Pimlico, but longtime Baltimore fixture John Scheinman easily could fill that role. He has been a regular in the old press box for decades in his roles as a two-time Eclipse Award-winning turf writer and as a dyed-in-the-wool horseplayer.

Scheinman is the lone guest this week on the Ron Flatter Racing Pod.

He talks about the can’t-miss-him presence he has brought to Pimlico and tells stories about the last days of the old track before its planned demolition this summer and redevelopment in the next two years.

Scheinman offers critical commentary about the reconfiguring of Maryland racing with the exit of The Stronach Group and the emergence of the new Maryland Jockey Club. He even has thoughts about the impact the new Pimlico will have on the Park Heights neighborhood in Baltimore.

Asked to assume the imagined role of racing czar, Scheinman offered ideas on how he would lure fans back to the Preakness and how confident he is that the new racetrack and grandstand at Pimlico can meet his hopes.

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.