S9E21: With a Y and an f-stop

S9E21: With a Y and an f-stop

From The Ron Flatter Racing Pod by Horse Racing Nation

March 6, 2026 · 1h 38m · Season 9 · Episode 21

About this episode

The episode features discussions with media professionals Tommy Smyth and Alex Evers about their experiences in Thoroughbred racing and the impact of technology on betting.

Two media professionals who have chronicled their love of the Thoroughbred game are featured this week on the Ron Flatter Racing Pod. Tommy Smyth with a Y, who has been a longtime sports personality in New York, discusses his ongoing trips to tracks both in the U.S. and his native Ireland. Smyth voices his concerns about computer bettors and how they have impacted his playing. He also advocates for fixed-odds wagering to be lined up alongside pari-mutuels. Alex Evers, one of racing's top photographers, talks about his frequent trips overseas to shoot races, especially in Hong Kong. He shares memories of stars like Romantic Warrior and Golden Sixty and how his close access to top horses might help him bet. John Cherwa of the Los Angeles Times and Keith Nelson from Fairmount Park are along with their weekly host chat. 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.

People in this episode

Host: Ron Flatter

Guests: Tommy Smyth, Alex Evers

Topics covered

  • Thoroughbred racing
  • sports media
  • wagering
  • photography
  • international racing
  • computer betting

Keywords

  • Thoroughbred
  • wagering
  • computer bettors
  • photography
  • international racing
  • New York
  • Ireland
  • Hong Kong

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: Los Angeles Times, Fairmount Park, Horse Racing Nation

Books & works: Romantic Warrior, Golden Sixty

Places: New York, Ireland, Hong Kong

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