LIFESTYLE

Hoops and Horses

The face of ABR's "Racing 101", Joe Kristufek is a self-proclaimed horse racing "ambassador," and fan development has been his passion since the moment he took his first job in the industry.

Kristufek is paddock host for Churchill Downs, the home of the Kentucky Derby, and is a fan development specialist for Horse Racing Nation

Kristufek is the morning-line maker for Arlington Park and Kentucky Downs and he serves as the handicapper and racing writer for the Daily Herald newspaper. 

Kristufek has developed and executed several horse racing-related, fan-education projects both online and onsite and he is a member of the National Turf Writers and Broadcasters. 

He has co-owned five horses in partnership and is the process of developing an ownership group of his own. Kristufek is also becoming an increasing presence on the tournament scene. 

Derek Cooley
Cooley

Derek Cooley is a 26-year-old connoisseur of all sports, from horse racing to college football and beyond. He attended Michigan State, where he studied journalism and communications, and also spent a year at the Illinois Center for Broadcasting, fine-tuning his radio and broadcasting skills.

Cooley was a finalist for the 2011 Score Search to find Chicago’s next top blogger. He currently works as the program director for WRMN 1410 - Elgin, and can often be found in his free time at Arlington Park, U.S. Cellular Field or on his couch watching whatever sports he can feast his eyes upon. 

Cooley also loves playing fantasy sports (ask Joe), confidence picks and trying his luck against the spread. He also loves ketchup on his hot dog.

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