S9E22: Live again, sort of, from Las Vegas

From the National Horseplayers Championship in Las Vegas, past winners discuss present issues for the sport on the first live-ish episode since January of the Ron Flatter Racing Pod. David Harrison, Mike Gillum and defending victor Dan Piazza, three of the last four NHC winners, gather in a roundtable to talk about the secrets to their successes. They also weigh tournaments against everyday play in racing and the impact of computer-assisted wagering on their handicapping. Back at the track, trainer Will Walden discusses maiden winner High Camp, who tries to extend his one-turn acumen Saturday in the Virginia Derby, a virtual win-and-you're-in qualifying prep for Kentucky Derby 2026. Walden also discusses his conquering of substance abuse and how his stable has reached out to others who have had similar challenges. Super Screener creator Mike Shutty has tips for Saturday races, including the Virginia Derby, the Grade 3 Whitmore Stakes at Oaklawn and the Captiva Island at Gulfstream Park. John Cherwa of the Los Angeles Times and Keith Nelson from Fairmount Park are along with their weekly host chat, including the latest developments in the bankruptcy story at Hawthorne, the rejection of north-state racing in California and the latest defeat of the decoupling of Thoroughbreds and slot machines in Florida. There also is listener and reader feedback to the evergreen episodes of the podcast that ran in the last six weeks. 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.