Flatter Pod: Prat, Rooney on Kentucky Derby preps + issues

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Kentucky Derby 2024 win-and-you’re-in preps at Gulfstream Park and Oaklawn and the state of the game are the subjects of the Ron Flatter Racing Pod.

Jockey Flavien Prat, who won last week’s Grade 2 Louisiana Derby on Catching Freedom, talks about that ride and his assignment this weekend in the $1.5 million Arkansas Derby (G1) on Timberlake.

National Thoroughbred Racing Association CEO Tom Rooney answers questions about issues in the sport, including trainer Bob Baffert’s suspension from the Kentucky Derby, the progress and challenges of the Horseracing Integrity and Safety Authority and an upcoming documentary that will shed a harsh light on the game.

Paddock Prince handicapper David Levitch analyzes this weekend’s Florida Derby card and the Arkansas Derby.

John Cherwa and Ron also go over listener and reader feedback about last week’s decision in California to green-light a new north-state racing season at Pleasanton after the closing of Golden Gate Fields.

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. This week’s episode is sponsored by Xpressbet.

Click here for information on Saturday’s Florida Derby Challenge handicapping tournament.

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