Flatter Pod: Preakness 2025 with McCarthy, Osborne, Nicoletti

This weekend may be for the last time when Preakness 2025 is run at old Pimlico. It is the site for this week’s Ron Flatter Racing Pod.

Michael McCarthy, the trainer of Journalism, discusses the timeline since his colt finished second in the Kentucky Derby and how he looks at being the favorite for the Preakness. Trainer Jamie Osborne talks about the reasons he decided not to bring Heart of Honor from across the Atlantic to race in the Derby and why he chose the Preakness for this colt and his daughter Saffie to ride in the U.S.

From 1/ST Racing, the outgoing managers of the Preakness, TV host and analyst Ron Nicoletti and executive vice president Mike Rogers discuss not only Saturday’s classic but also the transition of the Preakness and the rest of the state’s racing to the new Maryland Jockey Club.

Paddock Prince handicapper David Levitch offers analysis of both the Black-Eyed Susan (G2) on Friday and the Preakness on Saturday, even offering advice based on the weather whether it is rain or shine.

Co-host John Cherwa from the Los Angeles Times discusses the big fine incurred by jockey Júnior Alvarado for overuse of the riding crop on Sovereignty to win the Kentucky Derby. They also look at listener and reader feedback about the idea to expand the Triple Crown by one week.

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.