S9E45: Topical trio: Million, Saratoga & $5 minimums

The Grade 1 Arlington Million at Colonial Downs, Jim Dandy (G2) day at Saratoga and the new $5 minimum win-place-show wager at Kentucky Downs are the three big topics up for discussion on this week's Ron Flatter Racing Pod.

Megan Devine brings her TV analyst's perspective to the Million from the track in Virginia that is hosting the race for the fourth time. She talks about some of the contenders for the race and also previews the Secretariat (G2) and Beverly D. (G2) stakes, the traditional curtain raisers for the Million.

From the general to the specific, trainer Ian Wilkes discusses the successful switch from dirt to turf for Burnham Square, the morning-line favorite for the Million.

Kentucky Downs vice president of racing Ted Nicholson checks in to talk about his track's decision to raise racing's traditional $2 wager in time for the seven-day turf meet starting in late August.

Paddock Prince handicapper David Levitch checks out three races on Saturday's card at Saratoga. They include the Jim Dandy, the traditional prep for the Travers (G1).

Co-hosts John Cherwa of the Los Angeles Times and Keith Nelson of Fairmount Park weigh in with their opinions about the $5 wager at Kentucky Downs and the announcement by Churchill Downs Inc. that it wants has put the for-sale sign on Presque Isle Downs and eight more of its properties.

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, sponsored by 1/ST BET.