HRN's Ron Flatter earns award for 2024 Preakness coverage

Ron Flatter of Horse Racing Nation and Tim Sudduth of Eclipse Sportswire will be recognized for their coverage of the 2024 Preakness during the Alibi Breakfast on May 15 at Pimlico.

Flatter will receive the David F. Woods Memorial Award for best Preakness story, while Sudduth will receive the Jerry Frutkoff Photography Award, given each year for best Preakness picture.

Flatter, the managing editor of Horse Racing Nation and host of the Ron Flatter Racing Pod, receives the Woods Award for his story on Ken McPeek, trainer of 2024 Kentucky Derby (G1) winner Mystik Dan. Flatter has covered the Breeders’ Cup and Triple Crown races since 1999 as well as 13 editions of the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe, two British Champions days and three Melbourne Cups. His resume also includes work with ESPN, CBS, Fox and RSN Racing & Sport in Australia.

“It is a thrill to have a small piece of the 150-year history of the Preakness Stakes,” Flatter said. “I thank Mark Midland, the CEO at Horse Racing Nation, for providing me the stage to write about Mystik Dan going about his business ahead of last year’s Preakness.”

Sudduth’s photo captures the euphoria of jockey Jaime Torres winning the 2024 Preakness as he crosses the finish line aboard Seize the Grey with hundreds of spectators in the background. His passion for photography and the equine industry traces back to his childhood at Paul Mellon’s storied Rokeby Farm in Upperville, Va. Tim’s father worked hands-on with broodmares and foals, while his mother contributed to Chronicle of the Horse. Sudduth said each race is an opportunity to freeze moments of anticipation, triumph and drama revealing the beauty and spirit of both horse and rider.

Tradition holds that the Alibi Breakfast’s humble beginnings go back to a few trainers sipping coffee on the porch of Pimlico’s old clubhouse in the late 1930s, extolling the virtues of their horses and offering up excuses – or alibis – should their horse not win.