Flatter Pod: Previewing big showdowns at Saratoga, Del Mar

Local standouts Journalism and Nysos face eastern shipper Fierceness in the Pacific Classic at Del Mar, and Mindframe gets a high-profile rematch with Sierra Leone in the Jockey Club Gold Cup at Saratoga. These 1 1/4-mile, Grade 1, $1 million races are spotlighted this week on the Ron Flatter Racing Pod.

Christina Blacker of FanDuel TV provides insight on the east vs. west matchup in California. She discusses Preakness and Haskell (G1) winner Journalism’s first time facing older horses like Nysos and Fierceness in their audition for the Breeders’ Cup Classic over the same course and distance in a little more than two months.

Co-owner Brook T. Smith talks about whether Sierra Leone can reverse the trend against Mindframe when they have their third meeting, this time at Saratoga. He also outlines plans for the 4-year-old colt between now and the Breeders’ Cup as well as after the $7 million race in which Sierra Leone is the defending winner.

Super Screener creator Mike Shutty checks in from his home base near Del Mar to provide handicapping advice for the big weekend races.

Co-hosts John Cherwa of the Los Angeles Times and Keith Nelson of Fairmount Park join in a tribute to Secretariat’s late jockey Ron Turcotte.

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.