Broadcaster Kules dead at 76

Pete Kules, co-founder of HRRN, also hosted a racing program on Lexington radio (Horse Racing Radio Network)

Pete Kules, an award-winning broadcaster and co-founder of the Horse

Racing Radio Network (HRRN), died Sunday evening at Central Baptist

Hospital in Lexington, Kentucky. He was 76.

Kules, a Massachusetts native and military veteran, attended

Princeton before earning his degree at the University of Massachusetts.

Kules enjoyed a television and radio broadcasting career that spanned

nearly six decades covering major sports at every level. He hosted

several sports and racing talk shows, and served as owner, publisher and

writer for a number of magazines and newspapers. Most recently, Kules

hosted the Equine Forum, a popular racing talk show in Lexington, with

current HRRN President Mike Penna. The duo launched the Horse Racing

Radio Network in 2005.

Kules began his career in racing as a hot walker at the Massachusetts

fairs in 1943. Following stints as a groom, veterinarian assistant, and

assistant starter, Kules parlayed his experience on the backside to

become a track announcer, track handicapper and host of seminars at

various racetracks including Churchill Downs, Saratoga, Thistledown and

Finger Lakes. Nicknamed "The Doctor of Trackside Commentary," Kules

provided fans with unique insight into the history, origin and

terminology of Thoroughbred racing.