Flatter Pod: Briley, Dinerman, Levitch go Rebel on Derby trail

It may have been postponed a day, but the Grade 2, $1.25 million Rebel Stakes at Oaklawn should be worth the wait. With a full field of 14 horses, the virtual win-and-you’re-in qualifier for Kentucky Derby 2025 is the focus this week of the Ron Flatter Racing Pod.

Trainer Lonnie Briley, who never has had a graded-stakes victory, is on the doorstep of that and his first Derby horse with three-time stakes winner Coal Battle. He talks about the colt’s journey and his own from the oil fields of Louisiana to a career with Thoroughbreds.

Rebel Stakes odds and analysis.

Oaklawn announcer Matt Dinerman discusses the challenges of a cold winter in Arkansas as well as his own insights on the Rebel and other stakes on Sunday’s card.

Paddock Prince handicapper David Levitch has tips for an all-stakes Pick 4 ticket Sunday at Oaklawn.

Co-host John Cherwa helps to go over listener and reader feedback about the importance of last week’s Risen Star (G2) at Fair Grounds and jockey Frankie Dettori’s decision to move his tack east from California.

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.