Stay Tuned for 2025’s Expert Picks
The 2025 racing season is almost here and we’re off to a fast start. Fan-favorite handicappers Joe Kristufek and Kevin Kilroy are back with expert picks, bold predictions and insider insights to help you pick winners all season long. Whether you’re playing for fun or aiming for the win, their advice will have you one step closer to the finish line.
The season runs Thursday, July 3 through Monday, August 25 — and we can’t wait to see you trackside!
Tony Calo’s Race Day Selections
Tony Calo is the current track announcer at Ellis Park. His announcing career started in 1997 when he called races at Arapahoe Park in Aurora, Colo. He was the regular track announcer at Northern California’s Bay Meadows in 1998 and called at Golden Gate Fields starting in 1999. Before his role at Ellis, Tony was the track announcer at Finger Lakes race track in Farmington, New York beginning in 2008.
Monday, June 2, 2025
| Race 1 | #1 Eskenforit — Better than ever; tactical advantage #3 Yes It’s Ginger #2 Speighter Woman Race 1 selections: 1/2-3/6-7-8 |
| Race 2 | #1 Eskenforit — Better than ever; tactical advantage #3 Yes It’s Ginger #2 Speighter Woman Race 2 selections: 1/2-3/6-7-8 |
| Race 3 | #1 Eskenforit — Better than ever; tactical advantage #3 Yes It’s Ginger #2 Speighter Woman Race 3 selections: 1/2-3/6-7-8 |
| Race 4 | #1 Eskenforit — Better than ever; tactical advantage #3 Yes It’s Ginger #2 Speighter Woman Race 4 selections: 1/2-3/6-7-8 |
| Race 5 | #1 Eskenforit — Better than ever; tactical advantage #3 Yes It’s Ginger #2 Speighter Woman Race 5 selections: 1/2-3/6-7-8 |
| Race 6 | #1 Eskenforit — Better than ever; tactical advantage #3 Yes It’s Ginger #2 Speighter Woman Race 6 selections: 1/2-3/6-7-8 |
| Race 7 | #1 Eskenforit — Better than ever; tactical advantage #3 Yes It’s Ginger #2 Speighter Woman Race 7 selections: 1/2-3/6-7-8 |
| Race 8 | #1 Eskenforit — Better than ever; tactical advantage #3 Yes It’s Ginger #2 Speighter Woman Race 8 selections: 1/2-3/6-7-8 |
| Race 9 | #1 Eskenforit — Better than ever; tactical advantage #3 Yes It’s Ginger #2 Speighter Woman Race 9 selections: 1/2-3/6-7-8 |
| Race 10 | #1 Eskenforit — Better than ever; tactical advantage #3 Yes It’s Ginger #2 Speighter Woman Race 10 selections: 1/2-3/6-7-8 |
Joe Kristufek’s Race Day Selections
Selections provided by Ellis Park racing analyst Joe Kristufek, who has an extensive background in the horse racing industry as a handicapper, on-air talent, producer and fan development specialist. He is well recognized for his creative analysis and wagering tactics and he loves interacting with racing fans.
Thursday, July 3, 2025
| Race 1 | #9 Air of Defiance — Drops in with tactical edge #4 Enough Already #1 Tis Charming Race 1 selections: 9/4-1-7/2-5-8 |
| Race 2 | #7 Cue the Drama — $325K buy; run of the race #Runadhara #3 Cold Case Race 2 selections: 7-5-3/1-8-4-2-6 |
| Race 3 | #3 Skyler — Back on dirt; rested & ready #9 Beechmont #4 Zohere Race 3 selections: 3-9-4/2-1-8-10 |
| Race 4 | #9 Coach Jimi D — 3rd in key race; trips out here #3 Cat On Time #1 Two Eagles River Race 4 selections: 9/3-1-5/8-2 |
| Race 5 | #6 Princess Buttercup — Blinks on; flies under radar #4 Whappen #11 Pula Race 5 selections: 6-4-11/9-2-3/8-7-5 |
| Race 6 | #3 Discombobulaator — 2nd time blinks; fresh & capable #2 Helm Place #5 Probably Race 6 selections: 3-2-5/10-8-9 |
| Race 7 | #3 Quatrocento — Class edge; can put it all together #2 Ciro di Marzio #1 Rocky Joy Race 7 selections: 3-2/1-4-8-10 |
| Race 8 | #13 Hymn — Cuts back with blinks off; capable at a $ #4 Faust #7 Fact Race 8 selections: 13-4-7/3-9-12-11 |
| Race 9 | #4 Lady Lilylou — Right to improve in fresh 2nd try #2 Speed Shopper #1 Marcinkowski Race 9 selections: 4-2/1-6-8-9 |
Kevin Kilroy’s Race Day Selections
Selections provided by Ellis Park racing analyst Kevin Kilroy. Kilroy also covers Churchill Downs, Colonial Downs, and Fair Grounds, serving as Handicapper and Notes Writer. A poet and novelist, his most recent book The Anvils (Spuyten Duyvil Press) follows a fledgling horseplayer as he bikes across Chicago.
Monday, June 2, 2025
| Race 1 | #1 Eskenforit — Better than ever; tactical advantage #3 Yes It’s Ginger #2 Speighter Woman Race 1 selections: 1/2-3/6-7-8 |
| Race 2 | #1 Eskenforit — Better than ever; tactical advantage #3 Yes It’s Ginger #2 Speighter Woman Race 2 selections: 1/2-3/6-7-8 |
| Race 3 | #1 Eskenforit — Better than ever; tactical advantage #3 Yes It’s Ginger #2 Speighter Woman Race 3 selections: 1/2-3/6-7-8 |
| Race 4 | #1 Eskenforit — Better than ever; tactical advantage #3 Yes It’s Ginger #2 Speighter Woman Race 4 selections: 1/2-3/6-7-8 |
| Race 5 | #1 Eskenforit — Better than ever; tactical advantage #3 Yes It’s Ginger #2 Speighter Woman Race 5 selections: 1/2-3/6-7-8 |
| Race 6 | #1 Eskenforit — Better than ever; tactical advantage #3 Yes It’s Ginger #2 Speighter Woman Race 6 selections: 1/2-3/6-7-8 |
| Race 7 | #1 Eskenforit — Better than ever; tactical advantage #3 Yes It’s Ginger #2 Speighter Woman Race 7 selections: 1/2-3/6-7-8 |
| Race 8 | #1 Eskenforit — Better than ever; tactical advantage #3 Yes It’s Ginger #2 Speighter Woman Race 8 selections: 1/2-3/6-7-8 |
| Race 9 | #1 Eskenforit — Better than ever; tactical advantage #3 Yes It’s Ginger #2 Speighter Woman Race 9 selections: 1/2-3/6-7-8 |
| Race 10 | #1 Eskenforit — Better than ever; tactical advantage #3 Yes It’s Ginger #2 Speighter Woman Race 10 selections: 1/2-3/6-7-8 |