In a week without a Kentucky Derby points prep, two outspoken men fill the void on The Ron Flatter Racing Pod. “The Maven” – 2018 NHC Tour champion David Gutfreund – talks about his life as a professional gambler, his criticism of the price structure for entering handicapping contests and the legal challenges he has had as a creating investor in DerbyWars. Steve Coburn, who was not afraid to sound off when California Chrome came up short of the 2014 Triple Crown, looks back on his ownership of the horse of a lifetime. The Racehorses by the Letters feature looks at the best horse starting with the letter “P,” and there is plenty of listener feedback. The Ron Flatter Racing Pod is available at Apple, Google Play, Stitcher and VSiN.com/podcasts.

Two high-profile racing executives – Tim Ritvo and Keith Chamblin – are featured on the Ron Flatter Racing Pod. In his role running the races for The Stronach Group, Ritvo discusses changes at Santa Anita, the future of the Preakness and Pimlico and even takes listener questions. And yes, he talks about post-time drag. As the National Thoroughbred Racing Association’s man in charge of the world’s biggest horseplayers tournament, Chamblin touches on the growth of contests like that, and he looks at the relationship between racing and the expansion of sports betting across the country. Saturday’s Kentucky Derby preps – the Risen Star and the El Camino Real – are previewed, and the Racehorses by the Letters feature looks at the best horse starting with the letter “O.” The Ron Flatter Racing Pod is available at Apple, Google Play, Stitcher and VSiN.com/podcasts. 

The National Horseplayers Championship has returned for a 20th year to Las Vegas – and the Ron Flatter Racing Pod is covering it. Horseplaying author Peter Thomas Fornatale discusses this year’s contest and weighs betting trends that could be used by this year’s champion. Bookmaking legend Roxy Roxborough discusses trends in betting and where players looking for better prices on Kentucky Derby futures may turn. The next Derby prep – Saturday’s Sam F. Davis Stakes at Tampa Bay Downs – gets a preview as does the second pool in the Kentucky Derby Future Wager, and the Racehorses by the Letters feature looks at the best horse ever starting with the letter “N.” The Ron Flatter Racing Pod is available at Apple, Google Play, Stitcher and VSiN.com/podcasts. 

Saturday’s three Kentucky Derby points preps – the Holy Bull, Withers and Robert B. Lewis – are previewed and handicapped on the Ron Flatter Racing Pod. Trainer Butch Reid discusses his Derby hopeful Maximus Mischief, the favorite in the Holy Bull. South Point sportsbook director Chris Andrews talks about a lifetime of betting on everything from claimers to classics. The Racehorses by the Letters feature looks at the best horse starting with the letter “M.” There is also a warning about making a future bet on a flashy, one-time starter like Hidden Scroll. The Ron Flatter Racing Pod is available at Apple, Google Play, Stitcher and VSiN.com/podcasts.

The $9 million Pegasus World Cup Invitational is America’s richest race, and the Ron Flatter Racing Pod is on the road at Gulfstream Park, Florida, to cover it. Hall of Fame trainer D. Wayne Lukas talks about his colt Bravazo and his chances to win the race. Jason Blewitt of Gulfstream Park TV and XBTV has a preview of the big race and the $7 million Pegasus World Cup Turf. The Racehorses by the Letters feature looks at the best horse ever starting with the letter “L.” There is also a wrap-up of Thursday’s Eclipse Awards at Gulfstream Park. The Ron Flatter Racing Pod is available at Apple, Google Play, Stitcher and VSiN.com/podcasts. The RFRP is sponsored by Xpressbet.

The road to the Kentucky Derby goes through the Fair Grounds in New Orleans for Saturday’s Lecomte Stakes. Track TV host and handicapper Joe Kristufek provides a preview of the race on this week’s Ron Flatter Racing Pod. Jockey Joel Rosario talks about riding the favorite Accelerate next week in the $9 million Pegasus World Cup and taking winter-book favorite Game Winner on the Derby trail. The Racehorses by the Letters feature looks at the best horse ever starting with the letter “K.” There is also a commentary on Churchill Downs Inc.’s objection that forced DraftKings to take down its Derby futures in Mississippi. The Ron Flatter Racing Pod is available at Apple, Google Play, Stitcher and VSiN.com/podcasts.

Hall of Famer John Velázquez is the longtime chairman of the Jockeys’ Guild, and he discusses the arc of his progress in that role and issues that the guild continues to tackle. J.V. also mentions a horse or two that he will be riding in 2019. Jeremy Balan of the Blood-Horse discusses recent changes at Santa Anita and contributes to a preview of Saturday’s Sham Stakes, a points prep for the Kentucky Derby. The Racehorses by the Letters feature looks at the best horse ever starting with the letter “I.” We go through the backlog of feedback from December. And finally, Ron tells us how he voted for Horse of the Year. The Ron Flatter Racing Pod is available at Apple, Google Play, Stitcher and VSiN.com/podcasts.