Kentucky Derby hard-core handicappers: Ron Flatter Racing Pod
Video Overview & Insights
Deep analysis of every horse in Kentucky Derby 2026 from the main draw through the also-eligibles is ready to hear now with the hard-core handicappers pop-up episode of the Ron Flatter Racing Pod.
This video demonstrates why it is never good to think a horse like Golden Tempo can't win if you think it has a good chance for 2nd and 3rd. If you think a horse has a good chance to finish underneath, it should never be a stretch to think with the right trip and pace it can win. And you get compensated for taking the risk of putting it on top with the much higher odds payouts in all pools.
Horse Racing Nation handicappers Ed DeRosa and Mark Midland and FanDuel TVās Caton Bredar go through the entire field from the favorite Renegade to the longest of long shots. They evaluate every horse from 1 to 20 plus the four horses who were entered as also-eligibles.
How do they think the rail draw may affect Renegade? Will the Brad Cox-trained trio of Commandment, Further Ado and Fulleffort figure prominently on their tickets? Do they think Chief Wallabee will give Bill Mott his second consecutive Derby triumph? Who are the tosses, and who are the value plays? The panel answers all those questions.
lol, poor maiden they hated came pretty close .
A snapshot preview of the Grade 1 Kentucky Oaks is included in this discussion.
There also is a traditional, audio version of this episode.
https://www.horseracingnation.com/news/Flatter_Pod_Kentucky_Derby_2026_hard_core_handicappers_123
The Ron Flatter Racing Pod via Horse Racing Nation is posted every Friday with pop-ups like this one for Triple Crown and Breedersā Cup races. It is available via free subscription from Apple, Firefox, iHeart and Spotify as well as HorseRacingNation.com.
Give me the Emerging market win, place , show
More User Perspectives
Bob is using Litmus Test as a rabbit for Potente
@bnegs521Silent Tactic has been scratched. Great White is in. Silent Tactic will not be the last scratched.
@bnegs521Hey Ron
Twisting your arm.
More in YouTube
Understand?
MORE ON YOUTUBE!!š
I would imagine when Ron Flatter goes to bed at night he is wearing a nice shirt and sportcoat.
@bnegs521Check out our Kentucky Derby picks at Fast Horses Today
@FastHorsesTodayTHROW OUT THE X-MONEY MIKE...TOO OLD FOR THE DERBY. POTENTE AND JUAN HERNANDEZ FROM THE HERNANDEZ MAFIA...GOOD GOLLY MISS MOLLY!!! A 2,400,000,000 TAG PURCHASE...MAYBE I GOT TOO MANY ZEROS....
@georgepimentel3072HEY MR. AIRHEAD MAGE WAS ABOUT TO WIN THE FLORIDA DERBY WHEN LUIS SAEZ TOOK HIS FOOT OFF THE ACCELERATOR AND LET MAGE COME IN SECOND TO SAVE HIS MOJO FOR THE ROSES š¹š¹š¹ WHAT MAKES YOU THINK THE PUMA DIDN'T DO THE SAME. I SAY THAT WAS ON PURPOSE TO DISCOURAGE AIR HEADS LIKE YOU SO THAT YOU DON'T MAKE HIM A 1/5 FAVORITE. THIS WAY EVERYONE GOES WITH COMMANDMENT WHO WILL RUN OUT OF THE MONEY. DON'T BELIEVE ME JUST WATCH.
@georgepimentel3072NOBODY LIKES THE JAPANESE HORSES.
@georgepimentel3072Is everything OK with the woman listening to her sound like sheās having a stroke she just doesnāt sound normal something wrong there
@tcleary6434Reports say Further Ado got sick during late 2 YR Old Campaign. May have been ailing just before KY Jo key Club Win and may not have been anywhere near 100 Percent for 3 YR Old Debut.
@frontier1776Potente was on the lead last out because Cherokee Nation broke slowly. So really So Happy did not have much to beat in SA Derby.
@frontier1776Sorry for asking so many questions. Just like to pick the experts brains. I think only Ed who liked Fulleffort picked a horse with one of the best trending Thoro numbers. Most the best horse handicappers in the game consider those a valuable tool. Do you not see the Thoro progression as valuable?
Thanks for your time and great Podcast guys and girlš
Also, you mentioned the last time a Derby favorite drew post 1 was Looking at Lucky(with a different gate). Most people are just saying Post one is terrible. Besides Looking at Lucky nobody can tell me any other Derby favorites from post 1? Everyone goes by percentage wins but donāt talk about how crappy the other horses were that started in Post 1.
@robertaustin9377The Puma Unraced at 2 yrs old. However Early Foal Early FEB!
@frontier1776Commandment Further Ado The Puma. Super Bomb Right To Party. The Bomb Full Effort Incredibolt.
@frontier1776Iāve listened to many of these podcasts. All the supposed experts. No one will answer my question? Is it ethical to Work a horse with a Quarter Crack? Renegade worked last week at Palm M which he clearly pulled away easily from a good Powershift at the end and galloped out nicely. Also galloped nicely in Churchill. Also Andy B was with him and said he looked great. In my opinion Pletcher would never work a horse if it was hurt in any way. Rumors start, you all donāt have to listen or mention it. Why didnāt you mention how slow Commandments work was and the other horse completely out worked him and looked winded? But my question, would one of the best trainers in the world Workout his horse with a quarter crack? Thanks
@robertaustin9377How can you so called handicappers never mentioned that Golden Tempo got squeezed braking from the gate on his last race with first time blinkers on. His last two workouts of 47 for the half, 2nd best of 58 and 47.40 2nd best out of 93 horses for the day tells you that he will be much closer to the leaders. With his closing punch like he showed it in Lousiana Derby on a gallop out passing them all.
He is an excellent bet as 30-1 with Jose riding him.
I can't wait for the Derby!!!!!!
I think both the Oaks and Derby are more competitive this year than in several years, as while the favorites are being touted there are at least 6 in each race of these still improving young 3-year olds who could take a step forward and win. Or a jockey who makes just the right decisions to guide his very capable steed who had been discounted-by-the-pundits to victory! The 9 winning long-shots in the past 21 years in ā05, ā09, ā11, ā12, ā19, ā21, ā22, ā23, and ā24 attests to that.
@bbbailey47Spare me the "looking-out-for-the-horse" nonsense. Rich Strike, Mine That Bird never enter the KYD with that attitude. Got to be in it to win it and you never know what will happen.
@LABoykoExcellent show.
@daryldorsey6531haven't heard a more worthless stat that the not being favored one.
@ScottKlaphekeI believe So Happy ran a faster SA Derby than last years winner and 2025 Kentucky Derby favorite Journalism. I like So Happy with Incredibolt and Emerging Market as my longshots. Good luck everyone
@2hayesteriaOne thing that wasn't considered of Emerging Market,he came off a maiden to go into a 1 3/16 stakes race.
@bohdantoroshenko3257Potente has increasing figures could move up
@LeonardBrazilPuma always tries hard I didn't like him but he won me over along with the big 4
@LeonardBrazilWhy doesn't japan let their horses run over here at least once before the derby
@LeonardBrazilIncredibolt is my long shot pick!
Gonna play him $20 WPS and throw in a couple horses with him in a $10 exacta box!
Further ado is the finest, fitness, animal, runs off with good trip, key on top keep it simple.
@buddypappas3081Every source on the internet says Mike Smith's birthday is August 10, 1965 which makes him SIXTY & I'd fly that flag loud & proud if I was him. As for So Happy, nobody told him his daddy was a sprinter & he acts like he wants longer. Third in a quick San Felipe, moved forward to win in a quick Santa Anita Derby, going away. Not to mention, he just got lucky with the 8 hole.
@hatpowzer6008Hey you can knock mike repole all you want,without guys like him like putting all the money into horse racing sooner rather then later there will be no horse racing. Do you not understand the peril this sport we love is in! We need the drivers of this sport to have success sorry but its very true.SMH
@robertphelan262Further afo ran against nothing in the bluegrass
@BrianMontgomery-d5tThe derby is goin payout huge
@BrianMontgomery-d5t#9 in the oaks to be in top 2
@BrianMontgomery-d5t#9 is a lock
@BrianMontgomery-d5tthes kinda of guys only like favorites
@stevelogan-t4vDanon Bourbon is fit and ready to run. Just getting off a plane and reacting to new surroundings is a disqualifier?
@jsidorableMarkā¦ I was a subscriber the year RICH STRIKE won, AND I did NOT RECEIVE the morning email to include RICH STRIKE! SOUR APPLES HEREā¦.!
@Steven-b8j8oDanon Bourbon acted much better today, and I believe Osean Murphy will be riding. I wouldn't write him off just yet
@teambitcoin7530Please do more on Youtube. This is great information and it a lot more fun to listen too when you can see facial expressions.
@drads13Thanks for this video and all participating. Good information from all. I still like my Renegade.
@oldhickory4686Thunder Snow turned out to be a GREAT horse though
@bnegs521Last time the favorite drew into the 1 post was Lookin At Lucky like Ed said but that was before the new gate. I am not sure if it makes a difference or not to those handicapping.
@bnegs521