“I got a horse right here”

Summary

The Tony Kornheiser Show

Episode: “I got a horse right here”

Date: April 17, 2026

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Episode Overview

In this episode, Tony Kornheiser welcomes guests Taylor Twellman (soccer analyst) and Ron Flatter (horse racing expert) for a lively mix of sports banter, poignant personal stories, and the ever-delightful detours into pop culture and the “Little” community that defines the show. Topics range from NBA play-in controversies and MLB anecdotes to World Cup soccer anxieties and the mechanics of naming a racehorse “Lecheeserie.” The show retains Tony’s signature wit and warmth, with notable listener engagement through community announcements and the persistent hunt for whimsical horse-naming glory.

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Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. Podcast vs. TV Show: Behind-the-Scenes Banter

• Taylor Twellman: Observes that media is evolving, with podcasts blurring lines with TV shows (02:27).
• Tony Kornheiser: Emphasizes his show’s deliberate focus on audio-only, saying, “Mine is not on TV. We have no video component. Very deliberately” (02:36).
• Twellman’s Retort: “You don’t need more of that face” (02:43).
• Tone: Casual, self-deprecating opening establishing friendship and the show’s unique ethos.

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2. NBA Play-In Games: Play, Fouls, and Fines

Game Passions and Rule Rifts

• Tony laments missing the Nationals game and discusses the playoff format’s unpredictability (03:02-06:12).
• He roots for Golden State (“I like Steve Kerr and I like Draymond Green and I like Steph Curry... They’ve been nothing but great for basketball… I want them to play for as long as they can,” 06:12).
• On Charlotte vs. Orlando: Tony wants Charlotte to win because “they’ve been terrible for so long… haven’t been in the playoffs… for at least 10 years” (06:32).

LaMelo Ball's Suspension Controversy

• Discussion over LaMelo Ball’s flagrant foul (“He tripped [Bam] Adebayo… the best player on Miami… courtesy of LaMelo Ball,” 07:27).
• The league fines Ball $60,000 total (for the foul and cursing), but Tony scorns its deterrent effect: “For a guy making $38 million a year, it doesn’t mean anything” (08:18).
• Tony feels Ball shouldn’t play, noting repeated dirty play and questioning the league’s standards (“It’s a dirty play,” 09:26).
• When asked if Miami’s coach, Erik Spoelstra’s forgiveness sways him: “No, because he’s a fine man. He’s a better person than I am” (09:32).

The Value of Play-In Games

• Tony praises play-in games for their urgency and drama compared to the regular season (11:13):

  “They’re much better than the regular season games because they indeed have meaning.”

• Playful banter on upcoming Nats games and playful recognition of changing sports landscapes (11:41-12:11).

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3. Listener Announcements & “Littles” Culture

• Details for “Little Palooza” (the community meet-up) including hotel rates, activities, and locations (12:25-13:21).
• Tony and co-host admit, “All the littles will understand that. You and I don’t understand” (13:07).

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4. “Survivor” Stunt and Podcasting from the Island

• Listener email asks about Rick Devins’ recent move on Survivor (13:23).
• Tony and co-host humorously admit they don’t watch the show, but root for him regardless (“If he pulled a stunt and it worked. Good. Yes, Good. We’re thrilled,” 14:43).
• Amusing musings on how podcast-listeners send messages from alleged isolation (“How is it so easy to get the podcast?... If you’re a contestant, I thought you were supposed to be roughing it” 15:08).

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5. Interview: Taylor Twellman

Augusta National “Heartbreak”: The Regret that Haunts

• Taylor reveals his greatest sports regret:

  “I had a chance to play Augusta… I threw up in my mouth… It was the European Cup Final on. On ABC and ESPN. England, Italy at Wembley. And I politely, for your listeners, need to know I have to work for a living… It probably will still haunt me to this day” (20:59 – 22:53).

• Tony asks if Taylor would quit his job for another chance at Augusta; Taylor’s response:

  “I’ll quit my job if I get the invite” (22:58).

Messi, Inter Miami, and Stadiums of the Future

• Taylor on Messi’s golf prospects:

  “Messi was like, no, never play golf. I’m like, huh? …Let me teach you” (25:04).

• Describes Inter Miami’s stadium:

  “You feel like you’re in Buenos Aires. Slash a little bit of England. The roof… the stadium, you feel like you’re in Buenos Aires. … It’s brilliant” (25:30).

Coaches and Roster Turmoil

• Addresses Miami’s coaching change:

  “If Messi wanted him to remain as head coach, he’d be the head coach. …but there was a discrepancy within building the roster in the offseason” (26:46).

The 2026 World Cup, USMNT Uncertainty, and Saudi Soccer Moves

• Messi and World Cup: “He keeps denying it. …There’s 2% of me that sits there and says he may say, you know what, I don’t want to do that because the last World Cup I played in, I won” (28:03).
• USMNT form:

  “Alarm bells are not ringing, but I’m waving a little bit of a white flag… The scoreline cannot be indicative of how the game went. Because if you make eight subs… you change the complexion of the game” (29:07).

• U.S. technical director leaving for Saudi Arabia:

  “It’s as mind boggling of a situation as I’ve ever seen” (30:26).

• Tony on the lure of Saudi money:

  “People need to understand this. All of this money… at some point the novelty wears off and they stop throwing money into the big pot. And then you got your hands out to catch the money. There’s no more money. So that’s odd to me” (31:09).

• Taylor’s World Cup coverage:

  “I am travelling to all the US games… I have a funny feeling Tony and Mike may call me” (31:44).

Memorable Moment

• Taylor Twellman, reflecting on Augusta:

  “Thanks for bringing up memories of just one of the lowest days of my life.” (32:09)

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6. Interview: Ron Flatter on Horse Naming and the Kentucky Derby

The Quest to Name a Horse “Lecheeserie”

• Explanation of the naming process:

  “The Jockey Club actually registers all the names… It’s got to have no more than 18 letters, counting spaces” (34:59).

• On whether a trainer or owner names a horse:

  “It just varies from owner to owner. But in this case I would think Kenny’s going to find one that he part owns...” (37:04).

• Kenny McPeek’s integrity:

  “He has, he did it with Mystic Dan… He’s won each [Triple Crown race]” (38:02).

• On Tony investing in “Lecheeserie”:

  “Not only that, they might try to recruit you to get more money” (39:55).

• Tony’s axiom on racehorse investments:

  “Buying your own jet, buying a restaurant, buying a racehorse. No. You’re throwing money down the toilet” (40:04).

Kentucky Derby Preview

• No “jump off the page” favorite this year; current favorite is “Renegade” (40:27).
• Notable trainers: Todd Pletcher, Brad Cox, Bob Baffert. Key horses: Renegade, Commandment, Further Ado (41:04).
• “No prep race has had more Kentucky Derby winners than the Florida Derby” (41:03).

Preakness Schedule Speculation

• Flatter tempers news of Triple Crown schedule changes but says “there’s a very good chance it will be a three week gap between the Derby and the Preakness” (43:49).
• On tradition:

  “I’m one of the traditionalists… I’d rather keep it the way it is. But at the same time, I realize that the game’s changing” (44:35).

On Dining Plans and Community

• “I did bring this up to [McPeek]… I usually have dinner with Tony during the week of the Preakness… Maybe we’ll go to Columbia” (45:40).

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7. Listener Mailbag and In-Show Jokes

• Community pride: Emails about horse-naming, “official” listener titles for unique names, and sports-related anecdotes.
• More on horse-naming:

  “On the rare day your horse is healthy and comes down the stretch in the lead, well, no stinking dividend check can match that thrill” (Mike Corey, Rochester Hills, MI, 49:56).

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

| Quote | Speaker | Timestamp | |---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|---------------------------|------------| | “Mine is not on TV. We have no video component. Very deliberately.” | Tony Kornheiser | 02:36 | | “If Messi wanted him to remain as head coach, he’d be the head coach.” | Taylor Twellman | 26:46 | | “For a guy making $38 million a year, it doesn’t mean anything.” | Tony Kornheiser | 08:18 | | “I’ll quit my job if I get the invite [to play Augusta].” | Taylor Twellman | 22:58 | | “Buying your own jet, buying a restaurant, buying a racehorse. No. You’re throwing money down the toilet.” | Tony Kornheiser | 40:04 | | “All the littles will understand that. You and I don’t understand.” | Tony Kornheiser | 13:07 | | “People need to understand this. All of this money that funds all of these things, it’s one or two guys throwing money in.”| Tony Kornheiser | 31:09 | | “Alarm bells are not ringing, but I’m waving a little bit of a white flag…” | Taylor Twellman | 29:07 | | “He has… won each [Triple Crown race]… He’s been around the block a few.” | Ron Flatter | 38:02 |

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Timestamps for Important Segments

• NBA/MLB & Sports Banter: 02:58 – 16:08
• Community/Little Palooza Announcement: 12:25 – 13:21
• Listener Mail on Survivor: 13:23 – 15:59
• Soccer & Augusta Regret (Twellman): 19:58 – 32:14
• Horse Naming & Kentucky Derby Preview (Ron Flatter): 34:06 – 46:15
• Mailbag & Listener Titles: 47:05 – 56:47

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Overall Tone & Style

• Witty, self-deprecating humor mixed with detailed sports analysis and genuine affection for the show’s audience.
• Deep appreciation for the “Littles” community and recurring in-jokes (horse names, “official” listeners).
• Blunt honesty from Tony on topics like investment, sports league discipline, and career regrets.

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For those who haven’t listened: This episode is a classic snapshot of the Tony Kornheiser Show—sports, stories, laughs, and a steadfast refusal to take the modern media world (or himself) too seriously. Whether you’re into basketball drama, soccer gossip, or the eternal quest for a horse named “Lecheeserie,” there’s something here for every fan.

Transcript

[Tony Kornheiser]

Hey it's Tony. On today's show we will talk to Taylor Twellman, obviously about soccer, but also about one of the big regrets in his life. And we will also talk to Ron Flatter about how realistic it will be to have a horse named Lecheeserie. But first, commerce.

[Show Announcer]

I keep seeing celebrities posts me in the 90s versus now while the person staring at me in the mirror is definitely not the same person that could pull off boot cut jeans. Time creeps up on us so slowly you don't see it until suddenly you do. Same thing goes for your bills. A dollar here, an uptick there. It's a slow burn until one day you realize the price you're paying now is way higher than when you signed up. But AT T Mobile customers had the lowest wireless bills versus Verizon and ATT over the past five years. And with T Mobile on their experience plans, you get a five year price guarantee so you know exactly what your plan price will be for the next five years. So at least that's one thing that won't change over time. I can't guarantee you'll still look good with frosted tips, but T Mobile can give you a clear guarantee on your wireless plan.

[Ron Flatter]

Lower bills based on Harris X billing

[Tony Kornheiser]

snapshots from Q3.21 to Q4 25 compared

[Ron Flatter]

to average AT&T and Verizon bills.

[Tony Kornheiser]

Comparison excludes discounts, credits and optional charges. Price guarantee on talk, text and data exclusions like taxes and fees apply.

[Show Announcer]

CT mobile.com this is the Tony Kornheiser Show.

[Tony Kornheiser]

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[Show Announcer]

Previously on the Tony Kornheiser show.

[Taylor Twellman]

Which is why we're. We're treating this more like a TV show. Because what's. What's the difference anymore between a podcast and a TV show? Right? Like.

[Tony Kornheiser]

Well, I have a difference. Mine is not on tv. We have no video component. Very deliberately. Very deliberately.

[Taylor Twellman]

Yes. Well, we see you on TV every freaking day. You don't need more of that face. Like,

[Show Announcer]

The Tony Kornizer show is on now.

[Tony Kornheiser]

Was so odd that we had Jeff Passon on. On Wednesday morning. It was lovely.

[Co-host/Producer (possibly Michael Wilbon)]

Yeah.

[Tony Kornheiser]

And then he was on PTI that same day. I had no idea.

[Co-host/Producer (possibly Michael Wilbon)]

Oh, really?

[Tony Kornheiser]

I had no idea he was going to be on pti. I said, why didn't you tell me? He said, well, I assumed you knew. I. I didn't know. Very odd. It's very hot or has been very hot in Washington, D.C. my house. The temperature in my house was like 80. And I finally said to Carol, could you turn the air conditioning on? It's a little dying here. So last night she turned the air conditioning on, so it's better now. It was over 80 degrees in the house.

[Co-host/Producer (possibly Michael Wilbon)]

It's been. We went from kind of a cool

[Tony Kornheiser]

spring winter to summer, summer, 90. No spring. Yeah, no spring whatsoever. I snuck out yesterday. I played 14 holes of golf in the morning before I had to go to work. And I was very happy to do that. Michael, today is not with us. Michael's in a golf tournament himself. That is the rule on this show is if you're going to play golf, you don't have to do the show. It's okay. You know that. You don't even have to ask. It's okay. It's all right. I missed the gnats yesterday.

[Co-host/Producer (possibly Michael Wilbon)]

It was an afternoon game.

[Tony Kornheiser]

I didn't know. I sort of thought it was at night. I should have realized it was a Thursday. It's a getaway day. You travel, you play early in the day, especially early in the season. They won. I had no idea.

[Co-host/Producer (possibly Michael Wilbon)]

Extra innings.

[Tony Kornheiser]

I had no idea. But I did watch. Later I picked up live because I was watching the MLB Network. The kid from Cleveland was throwing a no hitter into the night against the Orioles. And then there was a ground ball single and then a solid single. And the manager came out and took him out, which is the right thing to do. Yeah. Then a reliever came in and immediately allowed two runs. And I thought. And then they had base. They had people on the bases. They had a tying run. I think on the basis the winning run at the plate. And I just thought, wow, won't this be terrible for this kid if this is what happens? But the second baseman made a wonderful play to first, and they won. Cleveland won 4 to 2. It's probably the only time all year I'll be interested in Cleveland. But I was, you know, for 15 seconds or something like that, so I miss missing the Gnats. Now.

[Co-host/Producer (possibly Michael Wilbon)]

There was talk, you know, off air at PTI of like, well, can you catch the replay?

[Tony Kornheiser]

There is no replay.

[Co-host/Producer (possibly Michael Wilbon)]

There is. And somebody said, well, yeah, I'm sure Masson shows it.

[Tony Kornheiser]

We don't have Masson. There's no Masson. Masson is the Orioles. It's not the Nats. And whatever the Nats channel is, I have 1261. They just. It's just a picture of the Gnats, right?

[Co-host/Producer (possibly Michael Wilbon)]

And then when it pops up to the game and then it's. The game is done, and then it's.

[Tony Kornheiser]

It. So no, I couldn't watch the replay. I was a little surprised because I'm usually texting around with Chuck Todd and Chris Cillizza about what's going on in the games, and I didn't get anything yesterday afternoon, so I didn't know that there was a game. Maybe they didn't watch. Well, Chris watches. Religious watches. He watches all the time. All right, we are not going to do the NBA today with any guest because we're just not, you know, we do enough NBA. But I'll talk a little bit about it because tonight I believe both playing games are tonight, the final playing games to get the eighth seed. I believe one of the games is Charlotte at Orlando and the other game is Golden State at Phoenix. If I'm not mistaken. I am rooting for Golden State and Charlotte. I want to get that out front right away. I root for Golden State because I like Steve Kerr and I like Draymond Green and I like Steph Curry.

[Co-host/Producer (possibly Michael Wilbon)]

Sure.

[Tony Kornheiser]

I think they've been nothing but great for basketball for 10 to 12 to 15 years. And I want them to play for as long as they can. So I hope they win.

[Co-host/Producer (possibly Michael Wilbon)]

And for me, selfishly, I, I. Because he was a Celtic for so long, Al Horford is on.

[Tony Kornheiser]

Yeah, he's on the team this year.

[Co-host/Producer (possibly Michael Wilbon)]

He's. He's fun to watch.

[Tony Kornheiser]

Yeah, yeah. Al Horford go the way back to the Florida. Yes. Team that won twice.

[Co-host/Producer (possibly Michael Wilbon)]

Twice. Yeah, yeah, yeah.

[Tony Kornheiser]

It's a long time ago. So I root for them. And why am I rooting for Charlotte? I have no idea. I Except for the fact that they've been terrible for so long. They haven't been in the playoffs, the actual playoffs, for at least 10 years. And I don't care about Orlando. It doesn't mean anything to me. I don't know anybody on Orlando. Paolo Bonchero, who was the overall number one pick a few years back, melted down in the game that they lost to Philadelphia. He was terrible. 7 for 22 from the field, 0 for 5 from 3, and 6 turnovers. This guy's. You know, Wilbot will tell you he's a superstar. He wasn't a superstar in that game.

[Co-host/Producer (possibly Michael Wilbon)]

No, not then.

[Tony Kornheiser]

Now my fears for Charlotte are simple. LaMelo Ball is going to play in this game. He's been allowed by the league to play despite committing a flagrant two foul upon review after the game. Normally, a flagrant two foul, it's when he grabbed Bam out of Bayo's ankle.

[Co-host/Producer (possibly Michael Wilbon)]

Yeah.

[Tony Kornheiser]

And tripped him. And Adebayo missed the rest of the game. You'll find it impossible to convince me that that was an important part in the fact that Charlotte won the Bam. Adebayo, the best player on Miami, was gone early in the second quarter, courtesy of LaMelo Ball. So they reviewed the play, which they did not do in live time during the game. They reviewed it and the league decided it was indeed a flagrant two. And they find him. They find him $35,000, which I guess is what you get for a flagrant, too. $35,000. They also find Lamello Ball, an extra $25,000 for cursing on national television in a post game interview. Okay, $60,000. Let me not be dismissive of $60,000. For many, many people, it's, if not life changing. Year changing.

[Co-host/Producer (possibly Michael Wilbon)]

Yes.

[Tony Kornheiser]

Changes the year that you're having. Oh, sure, you know, changes everything. You can buy stuff, you're happy. But for a guy making $38 million a year, it doesn't mean anything. It just doesn't. $38 million a year. It's impossible. $60,000 isn't even 1% of that. Probably isn't. So it's a meaningless fine for LaMelo Ball. Totally meaningless. Eric Spolster took the high road. The coach in Miami took the high road and said it's okay with him, even though he thought LaMelo Ball should have been thrown out of the game at that time. It's okay with him if he plays the next game, just not. It's not against him. There's nothing that can be done for Miami short of saying that game doesn't count and we're going to play it again. And that's not going to happen. And that shouldn't happen. Really. So LaMelo Ball gets to play. I don't think he should. I don't think he should because I've seen footage now, as has everybody else. He did the same thing or tried to do the same thing to Bam Adebayo earlier in the year.

[Co-host/Producer (possibly Michael Wilbon)]

Oh, he did.

[Tony Kornheiser]

So intent is assumed now by me.

[Co-host/Producer (possibly Michael Wilbon)]

Does it sway.

[Tony Kornheiser]

It's a dirty play.

[Co-host/Producer (possibly Michael Wilbon)]

Does it sway you that Spoelstra, who would have some interest in this, said, no, he should be able to play?

[Tony Kornheiser]

No, because he's a fine man. He's a better person than I am. So no. I thought about it at first. I thought it would be vindictive to keep him out of the game. Now I think it would be correct. But he's going to play. LaMelo Ball is going to play. And he's probably the most important player on the Charlotte Hornets. And so the question becomes, the league has judged this to be a dirty play. Maybe that you're a dirty player, maybe, maybe not. But this was a dirty play. How does LaMelo Ball carry that into this game? How does that affect him in this game? Does it affect him? Not at all, or does it affect him a little? Does it affect him a lot? I. No idea. I think the spotlight will be on LaMelo Ball in that regard. You know, does he feel guilty? Does he feel angry? You know, whatever goes on, will whatever he feels take him out of his normal game, which is very good. He's a very good player.

[Co-host/Producer (possibly Michael Wilbon)]

Yes, he is.

[Tony Kornheiser]

Very good player. So I think that is the most interesting thing prior to the game tonight, during the game, maybe it won't be meaningful at all. Maybe it will, maybe it won't. But I mean, that's, you know, that I think is the rooting interest with the Charlotte Orlando game because. Or who cares, really? They're going to end up playing Detroit, right? Yeah. And they're probably going to lose. Unless Kate Cunningham is still out with a damage long. I don't know. I don't know. I don't know.

[Co-host/Producer (possibly Michael Wilbon)]

Charlotte's been fun to watch over the last couple of months.

[Tony Kornheiser]

They're 29 and 10 in their last 39 games.

[Co-host/Producer (possibly Michael Wilbon)]

Yeah, they're not.

[Tony Kornheiser]

And I would watch if I remember to stay up. If I remember. Or the Nats aren't on.

[Co-host/Producer (possibly Michael Wilbon)]

Well, it's Friday. The Nats have got to be on.

[Ron Flatter]

Right.

[Tony Kornheiser]

That's what I think.

[Co-host/Producer (possibly Michael Wilbon)]

Do we know who the Nats are playing?

[Tony Kornheiser]

No. I don't. You could look it up. I'm sure it's there. So those are, you know, the play in games. I like the play in games. I do. I. I like the fact that you're not really in the playoffs. You're in the play in, but you have a chance. I think that that's sort of fun. I think it's a smart thing that the NBA has done. And I think if you watch the games, you see they're much better than the regular season games because they indeed have meaning. Oh, yeah, they have meaning.

[Co-host/Producer (possibly Michael Wilbon)]

They do the job.

[Tony Kornheiser]

I want to go crazy for these games.

[Co-host/Producer (possibly Michael Wilbon)]

Giants in town.

[Tony Kornheiser]

San Francisco Giants in town. Yeah. Long trip for them. They're probably tired, I think, Marisol.

[Co-host/Producer (possibly Michael Wilbon)]

I think on the mound.

[Tony Kornheiser]

I don't think he's on the mound. Maybe Logan Webb at some point.

[Co-host/Producer (possibly Michael Wilbon)]

Logan Webb is.

[Tony Kornheiser]

Yes.

[Co-host/Producer (possibly Michael Wilbon)]

Tonight.

[Tony Kornheiser]

Is he tonight? Yes. So he was the original starter in the World Baseball Classic for us this year. Oh, he was. He's a fine. He's fine pitcher. Okay. He's a fine pitcher. All right. That's the beginning. I don't. You know what? I don't really have much. I'm tired. It's Friday, you know, I'm. Is there something else we should be talking about?

[Co-host/Producer (possibly Michael Wilbon)]

I don't think so. I don't think much of anything happened last night.

[Tony Kornheiser]

Can I just say this one thing? This is going to be the lead of the emails. Oh, you wanted to say something? Yeah, we'll get to that at some other point. You want it. But you had Littles Palooza.

[Co-host/Producer (possibly Michael Wilbon)]

Yes. From Dina, formerly from Damascus, now from near Donora. Yes.

[Tony Kornheiser]

Home of Stan Musial. Really?

[Co-host/Producer (possibly Michael Wilbon)]

That's where Stan the Man's from?

[Tony Kornheiser]

Yeah.

[Co-host/Producer (possibly Michael Wilbon)]

Okay, it's time. This is about Little. Little Palooza. It's time to book your hotel for Little Palooza, which is coming up June 5th through 7th. It's only $119 per night at the AC Hotel in downtown Bethesda. So even if you're local, it might be worth it for a night or two. And she says thanks to Betsy Jaffe for making that possible. The rate ends May 5, 2026, so don't delay. There's a website and there's links on the website to click on all. For all this stuff, just go to dinaindomascus.wix site w I x s I t e.com backslash littlepalooza.

[Tony Kornheiser]

All the littles will understand that.

[Co-host/Producer (possibly Michael Wilbon)]

Yes.

[Tony Kornheiser]

You and I don't understand. They'll understand that.

[Co-host/Producer (possibly Michael Wilbon)]

Yeah, but there's golf Friday morning, gathering at Toby Clark's house Friday night, the zoo at noon on Saturday, followed by a gathering at Mo's house and then a toast to the post at Comet Ping pong.

[Tony Kornheiser]

Oh, okay.

[Co-host/Producer (possibly Michael Wilbon)]

So that'll be lovely.

[Tony Kornheiser]

Good. Yes. So we have this one. It's the top of the email. Nigel Collates. I think the word is the email and gives it to me. And there's stuff about Rick Devins. And the first one is from Derek in Akron. It says, I cannot wait to hear how Rick Devins explains the stunt he just pulled at tonight's tribal in an email. I'm gone. I'm lost. What do you. I don't know what that means. What did he do?

[Co-host/Producer (possibly Michael Wilbon)]

Well, I do know what tribal means. I think there's, like, a tribal council, like, at some point in each episode, and then, like, you know, people have voted out or like those alliances voted out. No, no. We want him to win the whole thing. Yes.

[Tony Kornheiser]

So what did he do?

[Co-host/Producer (possibly Michael Wilbon)]

Well, he wrote in. Oh, it's the following email, I believe. Yes. Because I did try to collate.

[Tony Kornheiser]

Oh, okay. All right. Oh, good. Here is from Rick. Close call this week, but I'm still in it. We got paired up together and my duo was targeted. I used a fake idol. I hit a tribal council earlier in the season to get myself out of a jam. I go into more detail, but I'm afraid it's even harder to explain what happened than is to explain how to use the last button on a TV remote. So just rest assured that the mouse was not flush. Thanks, as always. So we're happy for him. Very happy. We just don't.

[Co-host/Producer (possibly Michael Wilbon)]

We don't understand any.

[Tony Kornheiser]

We don't understand any of it because we don't watch. I mean, I don't even know when it's on. I didn't even watch the Nats.

[Co-host/Producer (possibly Michael Wilbon)]

I'm not going to watch Survivor Survivors Wednesday night.

[Tony Kornheiser]

But we're rooting.

[Taylor Twellman]

We're rooting.

[Co-host/Producer (possibly Michael Wilbon)]

Oh, yes.

[Tony Kornheiser]

Rooting for him. Yes. And if he pulled a stunt and it worked. Good. Yes, Good. We're thrilled for that. Yes. Yeah.

[Co-host/Producer (possibly Michael Wilbon)]

The only thing we'd be more thrilled for is a Kentucky Derby winning horse named La Cheeserie.

[Tony Kornheiser]

Can I ask another question here?

[Co-host/Producer (possibly Michael Wilbon)]

Sure.

[Tony Kornheiser]

About Survivor.

[Co-host/Producer (possibly Michael Wilbon)]

Yes.

[Tony Kornheiser]

Aren't they, like, on a desolate desert island somewhere?

[Co-host/Producer (possibly Michael Wilbon)]

Well, that's how it used to be.

[Tony Kornheiser]

Where is it now?

[Co-host/Producer (possibly Michael Wilbon)]

I'm not sure. It's been.

[Tony Kornheiser]

It's. It's in Queens. I mean, my question is, how is it so easy to get the podcast? Yes. They are. If you, if you're like on a desolate island, you're not supposed to have any of the amenities of life.

[Co-host/Producer (possibly Michael Wilbon)]

Well, there's, there's a camera crew there.

[Tony Kornheiser]

I understand. But you're not.

[Co-host/Producer (possibly Michael Wilbon)]

Yeah.

[Tony Kornheiser]

If you're a contestant. I thought you were supposed to be roughing it.

[Co-host/Producer (possibly Michael Wilbon)]

Well, I think you are. And then I think they bring you in for various tribal meetings, whatever. Probably also to bathe or something.

[Tony Kornheiser]

Listen to podcasts.

[Co-host/Producer (possibly Michael Wilbon)]

Podcasts, yeah. So maybe you didn't bathe.

[Tony Kornheiser]

I assumed you bathed in the ocean or whatever was around.

[Co-host/Producer (possibly Michael Wilbon)]

Well, there were some. This isn't like as hardcore as some of them can be. Some of them, they're like, we're going to drop you off in the wilderness and then it's your job to survive.

[Tony Kornheiser]

Yeah, this is, that's why it's called Survivor.

[Co-host/Producer (possibly Michael Wilbon)]

This is more like, you know, you've got teammates, you're making alliances, and, you know, you, you, you know, backstabbing people

[Tony Kornheiser]

and you get podcasts and apparently you

[Co-host/Producer (possibly Michael Wilbon)]

get Wi Fi to get podcasts.

[Commercial Voice]

Yes.

[Tony Kornheiser]

Get wine at night, one would hope. Yeah. I mean, catered meal.

[Co-host/Producer (possibly Michael Wilbon)]

Yeah. Yeah.

[Tony Kornheiser]

Good to know.

[Co-host/Producer (possibly Michael Wilbon)]

Chateaubriand.

[Tony Kornheiser]

Yeah, it's good to know. All right, we'll take a break. Is Taylor Twelman first or Ron Flower? Taylor Twelman when we return. I'm Tony Kornheiser.

[Show Announcer]

This is the Tony Kornheiser Show.

[Tony Kornheiser]

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[Tony Kornheiser]

You're listening to the Tony Kornheiser Show. This episode of the Tony Kornheiser show is brought to you by Wild Grain. Wild Grain is the first baked from frozen subscription box for sourdough breads, artisanal pastries, Pastries, not pastries, pastries, Tony and fresh pastas. Unlike many store bought options, Wild Grain uses simple ingredients you can pronounce and a slow fermentation process that can be easier on your belly and richer in nutrients and antioxidants. And everything bakes straight from frozen in 25 minutes or less. No thawing required. The boxes are fully customizable. I love that word, customizable. When I was a kid we didn't have that word. There's a variety box plus gluten free vegan and a brand new protein box. Imagine having fresh bakery quality breads, pastries and pasta at home without any trips to the store. And don't just take my word for it. They have over 40,000 five star reviews and they've been voted best food subscription box by USA TODAY for three years in a row. For a limited time, Wild Grain is offering our listeners $30 off your first box plus free croissants for life. Rob Stronach signed up immediately. Free Croissants for Life when you go to wildgrain.com tonyk to start your subscription today. That's $30 off your first box and free Croissants for Life when you visit Wild Grain. Or you can use promo code Tony K at checkout. This stuff's good. I've had this. This stuff's good.

[Show Announcer]

You're listening to the Tony Kornheiser Show.

[Tony Kornheiser]

This is a song called Nothing Ever Started. It is by Isabel Canadine. I hope I pronounced that correctly. Bill Ward sends us this. Here are two songs from my friend's daughter, Isabel Kennedy. I hope you like them and can play them on the show. The first is called Nothing Ever Started. The second one is Stormy. Love. The amount of talent that's out there is amazing to me. It's astonishing, you know, and most of them don't ever really catch a big break. So if this helps in any way, we're very happy. Isabel Kennedy, very happy. Plays in Taylor Twelman, who is the only person we talk to about soccer. And we will get to soccer because the World cup is coming up, and Inter Miami won the mls. And, you know, Taylor pays attention to that because Lionel Messi is his personal account, it seems. And we'll get to all of that. We'll get to all of that. But do you want to tell me the Augusta story? Did I hear a story?

[Taylor Twellman]

Why are you scratching this itch right now? Do you really want to make me puke this early in the morning?

[Tony Kornheiser]

Can you just tell the story? Did you have a chance to play Augusta?

[Taylor Twellman]

I did. I did. I can't believe I'm even doing this right now. I tried to erase it from my memory. I tried hypnosis. I've tried everything. It doesn't work. The short version of the story. Here we go. Tony. It's Covid, right? And so the European Championships at ESPN got moved back to 2021. And so it was about April when the United States started, you know, the mask mandate, all of that. We were traveling a little bit. MLS had restarted, and I got a phone call from a real good buddy of mine. Said, hey, there's a member at Augusta. He's a massive soccer fan. Huge fan of yours. Would you be interested? And I thought I was getting pranked, right? So I'm like, yeah, sure. And you know what I mean? Like, it just.

[Ron Flatter]

Whatever.

[Taylor Twellman]

So anyways, I get the phone call, and I said, oh, my God, yeah, absolutely. When and where? When do you need it? They give me the date. And I literally was like, huh, that date seems familiar. Let me look it up. And I look at my phone. In 20 seconds later, I threw up in my mouth. It was the European Cup Final on. On ABC and espn.

[Tony Kornheiser]

Yeah.

[Taylor Twellman]

England, Italy at Wembley. And I politely, for your listeners, need to know I have to work for a living. I didn't make $300 million being a left handed pitcher in MLB. I had to make a calculated decision. And obviously I made the, the decision that probably will still haunt me to this day. I think I'll get an invite again, but I don't know, I think it was, I think it was a con. It just was everything coming together, coming out of COVID massive soccer fan, all of this. And now I'm just like, I look at the mail every single day, hoping the invite comes again. And here we are in 2026, still asking for it.

[Tony Kornheiser]

So this is five years ago. I thought maybe this was just recently. This was.

[Taylor Twellman]

Oh, no, no, no. I'll tell you right now, I'll quit my job if I get the invite.

[Tony Kornheiser]

So I take it you have never played Augusta.

[Ron Flatter]

No. So.

[Taylor Twellman]

And you know my Uncle Jay there. So the amount of stories I've heard, I've been to Augusta, I've seen it all. And I've got about four or five buddies that have played it. And you know, in the, in there, in the, you know, ex athlete, celebrity world, and they're just like, it's unlike anything else. And I'm like, I know. I get it.

[Tony Kornheiser]

Yeah. Yeah.

[Taylor Twellman]

No, thanks, though. Let's start Friday off with a good bang. Thanks.

[Tony Kornheiser]

So no, is the member who wanted to play with you, is he still a member?

[Taylor Twellman]

Is he Barely lost my number.

[Tony Kornheiser]

Yeah. Wow.

[Taylor Twellman]

And I don't want to be that guy, like sending a text every, like, early April going. You know, right. When Augusta, it kind of opens up. I'm free.

[Tony Kornheiser]

Yeah. Yeah.

[Taylor Twellman]

And I know we're going to transition to Messi, but there's a part of me now that wants to ask Messi if he wants to go play Augusta.

[Tony Kornheiser]

So.

[Ron Flatter]

Okay.

[Tony Kornheiser]

This is when I heard this.

[Ron Flatter]

My caddy.

[Tony Kornheiser]

Yeah. When I heard this, I immediately. Now I have no idea if Lionel Messi has ever picked up a golf club in his life.

[Taylor Twellman]

Not. I've asked him three or four times.

[Tony Kornheiser]

Okay. So I immediately in my mind thought of Rafael Nadal.

[Taylor Twellman]

Yes, absolutely.

[Tony Kornheiser]

Who loves to play golf and who was indeed at the Masters this year. In the crowd was just walking around watching. And I thought, well, maybe if Nadal's a huge star. Messi's a huge star, loves golf.

[Taylor Twellman]

Tony. Because it is an easier transition. Right. So, like, Nadal's got an awkward swing, but he's a good go. Like, it just helps. Marty Fish is one of my real good friends.

[Tony Kornheiser]

He's A great player.

[Taylor Twellman]

Right. Yvonne Lendle was a fantastic golfer in his own right. He actually tried to go pro and go through Q school. So the tennis player. Yes. But it was about 18 months into me basically washing Messi's car, getting him coffee every day with Inter Miami. I was like, you know what? I'm going to ask him.

[Tony Kornheiser]

Yeah.

[Taylor Twellman]

Because that's a hell of a bargaining chip for yours truly. If I want to play Augusta and be like, you know, Messi will come. But Messi was like, no, never play golf. I'm like, huh? Let me teach you.

[Tony Kornheiser]

See if you can get ready quick enough that we can play next year.

[Taylor Twellman]

Exactly. Like, I'll dress you. We can't wear those jean shorts that you wear to your son's games. I'll dress you and we'll be fine.

[Tony Kornheiser]

Yeah, he won the whole thing, right? The Inter Miami won it all.

[Taylor Twellman]

Yeah, they won MLS cup last year and I just did their game that opened up their billion dollar stadium right next to Miami Airport. Tony, it's as good as it gets. I'm telling you. You and Wilbon need to come down that game. That stadium, you feel like you're in Buenos Aires. Slash a little bit of England. The roof. They, they did that stadium in less than two and a half. I think it was two years building at the moment. The shovel went in the ground. It's brilliant.

[Tony Kornheiser]

Did I, did I hear today that the coach has left the team? Can you.

[Taylor Twellman]

One of his best friends. Yeah.

[Tony Kornheiser]

Can you explain that?

[Taylor Twellman]

Well, Tony, it's interesting, right? So both coaches for Inter Miami haven't last 18 months. Now you would say, well, lack of stability hurts the team. While they've won an MLS cup, they've been the best team in the regular season, which we call the supporter shield. They've won a league's cup, which is the MLS Liga and Mekis tournament. So they've won three trophies and three championships, but they've done it through almost the opposite of what success is in mls. I think it comes down to this, and I've said this, no matter what narrative you read, if Messi wanted him to remain as head coach, he'd be the head coach.

[Tony Kornheiser]

Yeah.

[Taylor Twellman]

So the reality. I'm not saying Messi fired him. That's not what I'm saying. But what I am saying is Messi just raises his hand and says, no, Javier is our guy. This is a former teammate of his at Barcelona. But, but there was a discrepancy within building the roster in the off season. You know, they went out and spent $15 million on a center forward who sure is very good. Absolutely. But it kind of took Messi and put him in a different spot. So, long story short, you're asking me. This weekend will be their first game without with a new manager. And it's going to be an interim manager until they figure out what they do. Now, the positive side, Tony, for your listeners, you will have the gauntlet of candidates this summer because the World cup ends.

[Tony Kornheiser]

Yeah.

[Taylor Twellman]

So if I'm Inter Miami, I am not hiring a guy tomorrow just to get a guy in there. I'm going to wait and see who's available. And I've said this on the record, I'll stay on it. I think Xavi, from Barcelona's former teammate, Barcelona's former man. I think he's the frontrunner. And that would be a massive get for MLS and for Inter Miami.

[Tony Kornheiser]

How old is Messi now?

[Taylor Twellman]

38.

[Tony Kornheiser]

Is he going to play World cup this year?

[Taylor Twellman]

He keeps publicly, Tony. He keeps denying it. Okay, well, let me say denied. He won't commit to it. I'll be shocked. Now, Messi's a different. He's a different animal. This isn't LeBron. This isn't Tom Brady. This isn't Cristiano Ronaldo. He's different. And I don't know if the emotional side of winning the 2022 World cup, he wants that to be his final taste. I will be shocked if he doesn't play in the World cup. But there's 2% of me that thinks he may just want no emotional heartbreak of not winning 26 World cup and then him retiring from Argentina. So there is 2% of me that sits there and says he may say, you know what, I don't want to do that because the last World Cup I played in, I won.

[Tony Kornheiser]

That actually makes sense to me. That's an Elway move. And it makes sense to me. How are we looking for the World Cup? What are our chances? You've, I think in the last month or so, we had two games within three days. One was to Belgium, one was somebody else. I don't know. We lost. We lost both of those. Right. How are we looking for World Cup?

[Taylor Twellman]

We're fight where the alarm bells are not ringing. But I'm cautionally waving a little bit of a white flag because I'm confused at why we changed the system for those two games. It's the last two games before he has to name the roster. But I want your listeners to understand, when it comes to soccer friendlies internationally, you are allowed more Subs than a competitive game, World cup qualifying, or in a tournament. And why do I say that? The scoreline cannot be indicative of how the game went. Because if you make eight subs, Tony, you change the complexion of the game. That essentially means 16 different players come into the game. So both first halves against Belgium and Portugal, the United States were okay. They just didn't score a goal. But they created more chances than their opposition. And it raises the question, for the World cup, when you get your chances, do you take them? You have to take them. And if they do, Tony, I think they can get to the quarterfinals. If they don't, then you and I are going to have some fun shows this summer and we're going to talk about what to do next. But the bigger talking point, Tony, is the technical director, the sporting director of U.S. soccer.

[Tony Kornheiser]

He left. He left to go to Saudi Arabia. Yeah.

[Taylor Twellman]

Two months before the world again, buddy. What are you talking about? And then, Tony, you've got LIV Formula one, you've got the soccer league in Saudi Arabia. The PIF fund has basically thrown these rumors out. And there's a strong rumor that they're reassessing their sport initiative. So then I asked the question, Matt Crocker, you're going to Saudi Arabia at a time when the war has reassessed what they're doing on the sport. It's as mind boggling of a situation as I've ever seen.

[Tony Kornheiser]

Yeah, I mean, I looked at that and I, you know, I just shook my head. I said, why would you go, why would you go there now? Because people need to understand this. All of this money that funds all of these things, it's one or two guys throwing money into a big pot. And at some point the novelty wears off and they stop throwing money into the big pot. And then you got your hands out to catch the money. There's no more money. So that's odd to me.

[Taylor Twellman]

Tell me the money's gonna change in less than two months. No. So secondly, on a daily basis, Saudi Arabia and the PIF, they're losing 480 million due to the complications in the geopolitical nature of what's going on in the Middle East. I'm not jumping ship. Now, wait a minute. No way.

[Tony Kornheiser]

That was odd. What are you specifically doing for the World Cup? Will we be able to see you and hear you?

[Taylor Twellman]

Yeah, I am traveling to all the US Games. I've been open to do media with a lot of people. People I am not calling any games. I'll be doing stuff with Yahoo and I have a funny feeling. Tony and Mike may call me.

[Tony Kornheiser]

Yeah, we're gonna.

[Taylor Twellman]

Oh, sure. You're have a funny feeling. So yeah, that's what I'll be doing.

[Tony Kornheiser]

Yeah. Okay, good. That's good. This is great. Thanks. Thanks for being on. It's great to reconnect. Happy.

[Taylor Twellman]

I love you bringing up memories of just one of the lowest days of my life. Yeah.

[Tony Kornheiser]

Okay.

[Taylor Twellman]

See you.

[Tony Kornheiser]

Thanks, Taylor. Taylor Twillman, boys and girls. We'll come back with Ron Flatter. I'm Tony Kornheiser. Focus features in Blumhouse present obsession.

[Isabel Kennedy (musical guest)]

When I have a crush on a guy no one knows.

[Taylor Twellman]

Be careful. I wish Nikki love me more than

[Tony Kornheiser]

anyone in the entire world. Who you wish for obsession is 96 fresh on rotten tomatoes. I love you so so, so, so much. It blood soaked nightmare fuel. Brooke's blood you put on her. You have been warned. Obsession. Rated R under 17 out of minute without parent. Only in theaters May 15 with special

[Show Announcer]

engagements in Dolby Experience, a membership that backs what you're building with American Express Business platinum. Unlock over $3,500 in business and travel value annually with statement credits on select purchases from brands like Dell, Hilton and Adobe and other benefits. American Express Business Platinum. There's nothing like it. Based on total potential value of statement credits on select purchases and other benefits, enrollments required monthly and other limits and terms apply. Learn [e-mail] Business Platinum.

[Taylor Twellman]

You're listening to the Tony Kornheiser show.

[Isabel Kennedy (musical guest)]

I'm stuck in the drought.

[Tony Kornheiser]

This is once a day again, Isabel Kennedy. This is a song called Stormy Love. You can listen to her sing without me interrupting her at the end of the podcast. And she's really quite good. And we're deeply appreciative for people sending in independent music like this.

[Co-host/Producer (possibly Michael Wilbon)]

Yeah, if they want to send us their songs, they can do jingles@tony cornershow.com we just asked that if you're not with the band, you're thinking it like, like this. Loki sent in Isabelle's music. He's like a friend. You got to get their permission of our dad's. Yeah, Friend of a dad's. So just get the artist to email us with the permission and we can play it.

[Tony Kornheiser]

All right, so we turn to Ron Flatter now and I need to explain this. This is all about Kenny McPeak and the horse that is allegedly going to be named the Cheesery. We have two horse racing experts. One is the great Andy Beyer and one is Ron Flatter of Horse Racing Nation. Then we have the Great horse artist, right?

[Co-host/Producer (possibly Michael Wilbon)]

Oh, George Millay. Right.

[Tony Kornheiser]

George Millay, who also sends us a lot of stuff about horse racing, but he is. He is our number one horse artist. So let me start with this. I know you heard this from the podcast because I told you to listen to the podcast, and it was at the beginning of the podcast, so you didn't have to go much further.

[Taylor Twellman]

How.

[Tony Kornheiser]

If Kenny McPeak says he's gonna name a horse for Lecheserie, how does naming work? I don't. I guess I don't understand this. The trainer's name, the owner's name, how does it work?

[Ron Flatter]

Well, the Jockey Club actually registers all the names. And by the way, Stormy Love, that song. I think I went out with a woman named Stormy Love, and maybe she could be the name of a horse. So I think it could be that.

[Tony Kornheiser]

Yeah.

[Ron Flatter]

But there's a registry of names, and you can look it up online and you make sure it isn't already taken. And if it's not profane and if it's not doing something politically wrong or whatever, then you submit it. And it's got to have no more than 18 letters, counting spaces and lacheeserie. I think. I think that fit.

[Tony Kornheiser]

That's going to fit.

[Ron Flatter]

That's going to fit. And that's how you do. You register it with the Jockey Club, and the owners do it. The trainers can recommend. I was suggesting names to Bob Baffert for a couple of horses he had, and he said, you know, flatter. Your names all stuck. And that was my reaction to how that input went. But, yeah, well, cheesery. And it was funny when you. When you had him on or when you were talking about this Wednesday, I had walked into his barn office. I'm at Churchill Downs right now, and the first thing he said was, I've been texting back and forth with Kornheiser about naming a horse Lachesaree. And so that was when I got home, texted you and said, oh, yeah, little birdie tells me. And that was when you said, yeah, dude, listen to the damn podcast. You could actually get up to date. And then I did. So, yeah, small world.

[Tony Kornheiser]

So do you. How does it work? I mean, there are horses whose lineage indicates they might be champion Thoroughbreds, and there are horses whose lineage indicates they might be running at the sixth, you know, at that Santa Anita at some point, or not even something as good as Santa Anita. Do you. Does a trainer have a sense of what might be a champion, and would the name of that be more likely left to an owner? Or do a lot of owners say to a trainer, if you got a name, that's fine.

[Ron Flatter]

It varies. A lot of these horses that have really blue blood lineage will have names that are playing off of the sire's name and things like that.

[Taylor Twellman]

Right.

[Ron Flatter]

So in the case of Lacheserie, it's, you know, I don't know that it's going to be a son of into mischief who's probably the hot, one of the hottest sires going right now or, or something like that. But the way you can tell how good the horse is sometimes is how much it cost at sale.

[Tony Kornheiser]

Yeah.

[Ron Flatter]

And so if, you know, if lacheeseries on a million dollar horse then they've got high hopes. If he's on a claimer then, well, you know, God bless you if you end up in the winner's circle photo. But it, there's no, it just varies from owner to owner. But in, in this particular case I would think Kenny's going to find one that he part owns. He and his wife own horses. They had, they had Torpedo Anna, they were co owners of Torpedo Anna. So maybe you wind up in something like that because he wants to get this name brought onto a horse.

[Tony Kornheiser]

So now he has won Triple Crown races. This is a real live great trainer. Right? Kenny McPeak is a top trainer. Yes.

[Ron Flatter]

Mm.

[Tony Kornheiser]

Okay.

[Ron Flatter]

He has, he did it with Mystic Dan. You know, he's.

[Tony Kornheiser]

Yeah. Won the Derby.

[Ron Flatter]

Yeah, he's, I mean he's, he's won each of them. So yeah, he's, he's, I mean his, one of his most famous was when he had Saraba Spoil War Emblems Triple Crown, I don't know, however many years ago, decades ago at 70 to 1 at Belmont. So yeah, no, he's been around the block a few and then, so.

[Tony Kornheiser]

And you. And his word is good on this. He will name a horse Lechees. Right.

[Ron Flatter]

Well he wants to. He also, you know, look, he's trying to, he's been angling to get on five good minutes on PTI for a long time. So anything that can he can do to curry that favor, he's going to do.

[Tony Kornheiser]

Okay, so now let me get into the personal questions.

[Ron Flatter]

Yeah.

[Tony Kornheiser]

What if I wanted to buy a piece of this horse? What if I wanted to do that just because. Yeah, that would be fun. Would I, Is there, is it possible I'd be able to do that?

[Ron Flatter]

Yeah, I would think you get in touch with Kenny and unless it's, unless it is like one of these horses, that is what Godolphin or Coolmore or, you know, Starlight or, you know, some of these big stable names, Windstar, all the ones, you know, you hear about if you're around the track a lot and they may, maybe they won't share or maybe, maybe you get into one of these partnerships that they do nothing but look for people to come in as a minority shareholder. And then you, then you get your name in the, you get your name in the program. You know, like we, like we have. You had the other day with Greg Garcia, you know, stable. Right.

[Tony Kornheiser]

I was going to bring that up, that Greg did this and wants out desperately and thinks it's insane.

[Ron Flatter]

Well, that horse is on the vets list now. It didn't even finish his first race.

[Tony Kornheiser]

Right, Right.

[Ron Flatter]

Yeah.

[Tony Kornheiser]

But I mean, if it would be. It's hard for me to imagine that if there was a horse named Leches Ree that me and Sansi wouldn't try to invest in it. It's just hard to imagine we wouldn't do that.

[Ron Flatter]

Not only that, they might try to recruit you to get more money.

[Tony Kornheiser]

Yeah, right. Yeah.

[Ron Flatter]

So there's that. What was the lesson you were told, though, about investing in race?

[Tony Kornheiser]

Can't do it. Insane. Buying your own jet, buying a restaurant, buying a racehorse. No. You're throwing money down the toilet.

[Co-host/Producer (possibly Michael Wilbon)]

Two out of three ain't bad.

[Ron Flatter]

Yeah, two out of three.

[Tony Kornheiser]

Yeah.

[Taylor Twellman]

All right.

[Tony Kornheiser]

The Kentucky Derby is like a month away, right?

[Ron Flatter]

Two weeks.

[Tony Kornheiser]

That's all it is. Who are the big names this year, Ron? Who are the big names?

[Ron Flatter]

Well, right now there's no real jump off the page favorite this year like we had with American Pharaoh and we had with Justify in the last, last one 11 years. The, the bookmaker's favorite right now is a horse named Renegade and he won the Arkansas Derby by four lengths. And he's going for like three to one in Las Vegas right now. And they'll probably be around that on the morning line here the day of the race. Now here's, here's one problem. He has trained by Todd Pletcher, who's won a couple.

[Tony Kornheiser]

Yes, he's won. Yes.

[Ron Flatter]

Yep. And Mike Rapoli, who's been trying to win the Derby. But the last few years they've had horrible luck trying to get horses healthy and into the Derby because they've been vet scratched with a couple of their horses, most notably a couple years ago with Forte, who was going to be the favorite on race day. And hours before the race, they found a foot problem and out he goes. So if he can finally keep one fit and get into the race, then he's going to be the favorite. You've got. You got some of the usual suspects. I mean, you got Brad Cox, who's got three of them. And in fact, I'm sitting here today, he worked them all out today. He's got Commandment, who won the Florida Derby. And all the Florida Derby does is send its winner into the Kentucky Derby and very often wins the Kentucky Derby. No prep race has had more Kentucky Derby winners than the Florida Derby. And so that horse is named Commandment. And Brad also has the winner of the Bluegrass, who won by open length, and his name is Further Ado. And he has the strongest buyer, Speed figure, coming in to the Kentucky Derby. So those are his big. That's Brad's big two. And he has another one named Full Effort, who won a slightly lower level race to get into the Kentucky Derby. So that's his trio. And then Bob Baffert's lurking. He didn't have the best of prep seasons, but he's got a horse named Potente who finished second in the Santa Anita Derby. And so he'll be here with a horse looking for his seventh Kentucky Derby win. And so those are more or less the storyline. You know, you got a couple horses from Japan, you got one from the Middle east, you got a couple. Bob Riley Mott, the son of Bill Mott, our, you know, our favorite trainer, who of course skipped the Preakness so much last year that he decided to skip it with Sovereignty. Yeah, Bill's son Riley has a couple of horses in the race, and Bill will have. Looks like he'll get one in off the waiting list. So we have a lot of familiar names in terms of the storylines, I might add. By the way, Sovereignty, the horse of the year who did skip the Preakness, he's racing tomorrow against Journalism, the horse who did win the Preakness. And they're racing in the Oaklawn Handicap in Arkansas in a race that's punching way above its weight. So pretty good race to wet our appetites two weeks before the Derby.

[Tony Kornheiser]

I find it amazing. The horse you talked about, Renegade. Nobody had named a horse Renegade to

[Ron Flatter]

now really, I guess either. Now sometimes these names come back into circulation and they bring them back after, like a couple generations. Okay, so that's possible, but yeah, that's good point.

[Tony Kornheiser]

All right, do you like the change in the Preakness schedule or do you think it's artificial and means nothing?

[Ron Flatter]

Well, it's not even done yet. That story that came out from Sports Business Journal has Been a little bit warmed over before. I know the LA Times reported it as much a couple years ago. Really? This is pinned to the media deal that the Preakness people are going to be making for a contract that expires this year. So whatever TV partner they get next year is going to have a lot to say about that. Having said that, to try to poo poo it, I think there's a very good chance it will be a three week gap between the Derby and the Preakness, and then we'll see how the Belmont Stakes falls into place.

[Tony Kornheiser]

That's what I wanted to ask you. It is normally two weeks to the Preakness and three to the to the Belmont. If you make it three to the Preakness, then you make it. If you keep with the same schedule, two to the Belmont, then that you don't solve your problem.

[Ron Flatter]

No, but I think that the New York Racing association would, would probably look long and hard at moving the Belmont back and making it a full six weeks after the Derby. And go you. Then you'd go three and three. This has happened before. It's not without precedent. 1952, 53 and 54, it was Kentucky Derby, three weeks Preakness, three weeks Belmont. And that was in the blush of Citation winning the triple crown in 1948. So there's all the traditionalists who want to yell about it, and I'm one of them. I'd rather keep it the way it is. But at the same time, I realized that the game's changing. I mean, we. Just because Mott and Godolphin skipped the Preakness doesn't mean it's the last time that'll happen. In fact, rich strike in 2022 skipped the Preakness after winning the Derby. So if it keeps happening, at some point you got to quit beating your head against a wall. Maybe just say, all right, come on in and make it. Make it a three week gap. So I think there's every chance it will happen, but that's not final yet.

[Tony Kornheiser]

All right, give me peak our best. We're thrilled by this whole thing. Completely thrilled.

[Ron Flatter]

Now, I did bring this up to him. I said, you know, I said, I usually have dinner with Tony during the week of the Preakness. I said, when you getting in? If you have a horse in, he may have a horse on one of the undercard races. And I said, well, you know, get there early enough in the week and

[Tony Kornheiser]

maybe we'll go to Columbia. Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah.

[Ron Flatter]

We could get him in. Yeah, yeah.

[Tony Kornheiser]

So that'd be good. Love to do it. Yeah, we'll just get rid of Nigel.

[Ron Flatter]

Well, no, what you got to do is you gotta get Wilbon along so you can convince him to, you know, give Kenny five good minutes. Right.

[Tony Kornheiser]

I say the horsies. We're not doing it with the horsies. That's Wilbon's position. All right, thank you. Thank you, Ron.

[Ron Flatter]

Be good. Thanks, Tony.

[Tony Kornheiser]

Run, Flatter. Boys and girls. We will come back with email and jingle. I'm Tony Kornheiser.

[Show Announcer]

This episode is brought to you by State Farm. You know those friends who support your preference for podcasts over music on road trips. That's the energy State Farm brings to insurance. With over 19,000 local agents, they help you find the coverage that fits your needs so you can spend less time worrying about insurance and more time enjoying the ride. Download the State Farm app or go [e-mail] like a good neighbor, State Farm is there. This is the Tony Kornizer Show.

[Tony Kornheiser]

Tony Kornizer Show.

[Taylor Twellman]

Sam,

[Tony Kornheiser]

That's whistling. Yes, but it's not Chris Ullman. No, that's Charlie Burt. Yes. That's fabulous. Who says? As a frequent emailer of the show, I've often thought about how I could contribute jingle wise. Though I've never whistled competitively, I've had years of practice in the music classroom and decided to put together this trio of parts. Hope Jesse isn't howling, hiding, or heaving from these piercing pitches. That was lovely.

[Co-host/Producer (possibly Michael Wilbon)]

That was brilliant.

[Tony Kornheiser]

Well done, Charlie. Yes. You want to do the Bethesda Bagel?

[Co-host/Producer (possibly Michael Wilbon)]

Oh, yes, Bethesda Bagels. We love them.

[Tony Kornheiser]

You will as well.

[Co-host/Producer (possibly Michael Wilbon)]

Just go to Bethesda Bagels.com for the location in the DC area nearest you. Then pop on in and you'll be thrilled.

[Tony Kornheiser]

And before we get to the mailbag, let me just say wishing and hoping and thinking and praying Planning and dreaming each night of his charms that won't get you into his arms so if you're looking to find love you can share all you got to do is hold him and kiss him and love him and show him that you care. That's Dusty Springfield. You know how I feel about Dusty Springfield and Linda Ronstas. I just think there's nothing they do that isn't great. Nothing at all. Yes. Thanks to our guest today, Taylor Twelman, who's just great. Ron Flatter. Thanks as well to today's sponsors. Remember, you can listen to us on Apple podcasts, Spotify and ought to see if get showed through Apple. Please leave us a Review. This is from Mike Corey in Rochester Hills, Michigan. And this talks about what we talked about with Ron Flatter. I'm the little who accosted Kenny McPeak at Keeneland last week. The fact that the encounter may lead to a racehorse being named lecheeserie thrills me beyond words. Just one thing you need to tell Kenny. I want to be a part of the ownership group. I have credentials. Although I live in Michigan, I have a Kentucky thoroughbred owner's license. And I don't need you or Greg Garcia or some fancy pants financial advisor telling me what a terrible investment it will be. I have 15 years of tax returns documenting that fact. But on the rare day that your horse is healthy and comes down the stretch in the lead, well, no stinking dividend check can match that thrill. One of the best 10 days of my life was when one of my horses raced at Keeneland. The horse came in last. It was still a top 10 day. Plus, I don't think of it as my money. I think of it as my children's inheritance. And that takes a lot of this thing out. Go Lacheserie. That is a great email from Mike Corey, Rochester Hills, Michigan. From John Boyle in Severna Park, Maryland. Love the show. Going back to wtem, a buddy lets a couple of college friends help name his horses. Our favorite sire was Freud and Mama Teresa was the mayor. We named her a Freud of Mama. That's great. A Freud of Mama. Come on. She was multiple stakes winner and raced at Belmont, Aqueduct in Saratoga a couple of times. TV commentators would note the creative name, which for us was like winning the Derby.

[Co-host/Producer (possibly Michael Wilbon)]

That's brilliant.

[Tony Kornheiser]

From Mark Finer in Greenwich, Connecticut, to my fellow Marks. I'm sorry I haven't written for a while. Let's get it together, boys. The timing Tims have nothing on us. From Mark lynch in Camby, Indiana. Mark's rule. Tim's drool. What are we. What did we start here? From Jason Bullet in Saratoga County, New York. I'm asking if I can be the official Jason of the Tony Kornheiser. That's it. That's the email.

[Co-host/Producer (possibly Michael Wilbon)]

Well, we've got Jason, Lock and Fora.

[Tony Kornheiser]

We got Jason, Lock and Fora. And Jason who walks chessy.

[Co-host/Producer (possibly Michael Wilbon)]

Oh, yeah.

[Tony Kornheiser]

So, no, that's.

[Co-host/Producer (possibly Michael Wilbon)]

We never say no. One of you could be one of.

[Tony Kornheiser]

One of you can't be the only one. From Nick in Rochester, Minnesota, if this doesn't get read on the air, I'll know it's because my name isn't Tim. It's Red on the air. From Patton in South Jersey. Since we're playing the name game, I'm wondering if the connective tissue of the show can bring people together. My name is Patton. Like the General, I rarely even hear of people with my name or buy personalized keychains at gift shops. I'm aware of Patton Oswalt of Ratatouille fame. Of course, there was Patton Robinette, who played football at Tulsa, and one of the most incredible experiences of my life. The woman to whom I'm formerly related by marriage and I were in Vegas for our honeymoon. So I guess he saw the way. As we strode across a relatively empty blackjack floor at Harrah's, my ex saw a name tag and stopped me. Oh, my God. His name is Patton. We made our way over and I said, my name is Patton too. He was just as surprised as I was. This was before the time of mass email and social media. So we chatted for a bit and went our separate ways. I hope he's doing well. Seeing as how there seem to be so few patents. Can I be the official patent of the Tony Korniser Show? I'm happy to share the title with any we may find through this most ridiculous yet noteworthy endeavor. Thanks for the laughs and the community that makes the show so much fun. Sure, as long as you share it with others. Sure. Yes. From Joe in Greensboro. Hang on a second. I would also like to be considered for the official Joe with A Show. Will there be interviews, debates, gladiator fights? Please let me know where to submit my resume. That's interesting. James Waller from Milton Keynes in England. Hi, Tony. I don't think I know a Tim, but I know a couple of times. Okay, then we've advanced this. From Tim Clark in Fort Mill, South Carolina. It just reads, hey, Tim. Love Tim. Okay. From Rob Lowe. Not that Rob Lowe in North Royalton, Ohio. Tim's. We're talking about Tim's. Oh, please. You have two Rob low blows. One in Ohio and one from Ohio. That is the name winner. Just so you know, the Wallings Road Wallings road bridge over I77 will continue to be closed due to construction delays caused by the harsh winter. They're also adding in storm sewer repairs on all the walling, so it's best to avoid it completely. One more thing. Can I be both the official Rob and the official pharmaco Pharmaco economist of the show? Thank you for consideration. What is that?

[Co-host/Producer (possibly Michael Wilbon)]

I have no idea. So you are definitely that guy from

[Tony Kornheiser]

Kristen, Chuck and Roxy. Number 176 from a man Named Kristen. I'm pretty sure I'm the only man named Kristen that listens to the show. Can I also be the official North Atlantic lobster fisherman of the show? Yeah, if you send us some of the product.

[Co-host/Producer (possibly Michael Wilbon)]

Come on, send us a bucket.

[Tony Kornheiser]

Sure, sure. From Steve Gilmore Dear Captain Pretzel, so you waited 40 minutes in line to purchase socks. Wilbur would have made it in three. Yeah, probably so. 40 minutes and I'm never going back. Not even to return them?

[Co-host/Producer (possibly Michael Wilbon)]

Nope. Done.

[Tony Kornheiser]

I'm eating it. I'm eating it. 28 bucks. I'm eating it. Michael Benedetti, Scottsdale, Arizona Spray the socks with your children's Afrin. See if they shrink. It's funny. Tim from the Midwest. I cannot wait to win next year's Bracket Challenge and receive an open bag of size XL socks.

[Taylor Twellman]

Count on it.

[Tony Kornheiser]

Yeah, there's some of them. I'm gonna wear one or two. Brendan Borselli, Lebanon, New Jersey Aren't you the person that found a seersucker jacket for like 20 bucks ending up with Nike socks that are too high? Seems like the universe is even the score on your clothing deals. Just curious if you tried using any Bed, Bath and Beyond coupons to help lower the price. Perhaps that is why checkout took such a long time. Jeff Alexander in Salinas, California Dear Commodore, I, while not a Tim, have a brother in law named Tim. But wait, there's more. He's also a potato farm in Montana. He's what Buster only would be if Buster weren't a baseball fanatic and well named Tim.

[Ron Flatter]

Yes.

[Tony Kornheiser]

Clark Gross in Knoxville, Tennessee as a gallery guard for the Masters Tournament. I consider it a privilege to serve in that capacity for 12 hours a day for seven straight days on the hallowed ground at Augusta National. Having done this for four straight years, one of the things that has been on the top of my list while I was there was looking for Steve Sands so I could give him a hearty leches ree. I finally got that moment this year during a practice round when I happened upon Steve on the right side of number one fairway. He was playing Tour Guide to a number of folks as he explained to some of the different aspects of Augusta national and the Masters. I waited for him to finish his spiel about whatever interesting factoid so I could finally fulfill my dream. When he finished, I called out to him, gave him a very Masters respectful Achilles, and told him I've waited four years to do that. I refrained from giving him the TK salute as that would not be ANGC Augusta National Golf Club approved. Just ask Robert McIntyre. As always, it's great tournament with a worthy champion and can't wait to go back next year. Can I be the official master tournament Gallery Garden? You know this is lovely. And if Clark Gross could help Taylor. Yes, if he could help him. Yeah, Taylor get on that. Get an 18. Taylor would take 12. Nine.

[Co-host/Producer (possibly Michael Wilbon)]

Yes.

[Tony Kornheiser]

Yeah. Neil Airvis with the advice of with the avalanche of sports news and notable competition, one recent event has not received the attention it deserves. Last Saturday, the University of Denver men's hockey team won its record setting 11th NCAA championship, including its third in the past four years. The Pioneers conquered number one seed Michigan and then Big Ten power Wisconsin to capture the championship, keeping the Big Ten from winning everything this year, at a time when the nil money and transfer portal disparities seem to widen the gap between the haves and have nots, the success of a small private college is noteworthy. The DU championship was accomplished accompanied by compelling storylines, not the least of which was its goalie. Johnny Hicks, a true freshman who started as the number three goalie and was pressed on into service when the starter was injured in February, proceeded to win 17 games in a row through the championship. DU's coach David Carl has coached the three championships and also two world championships for the United States under 18 teams. His own story is compelling, from being a potential NHL player to having his career cut short with a heart ailment to become the most successful coach in hockey now. Thanks for providing a platform for us puck heads from John Stieglitz. In my old age, I've started taking Amtrak with some regularity. It's the perfect mode of transport if you have nowhere to be. The most delicious benefit of Amtrak is the butter cake they serve with lunch out of this world. I usually devour it in an instant, but this last time I finally read the label. Rehoboth Beach. Do you know about Frank and Louie's butter cake? Either from the beach house or your fear of flying. Great sponsorship opportunity. Please tell Dave to eat it. No, I don't. I don't. I don't know Frank and Louie's at all.

[Co-host/Producer (possibly Michael Wilbon)]

I didn't know you get butter cake on the actual.

[Tony Kornheiser]

So we should. Yeah, we need to find out about this. We need to find out where Frank and Louise is at the. The beach. Yes, and I'm sure we'll get some emails about that from Michael in Aurora, Colorado. I have a cut on my thumb. Where did we land on Neosporin? I'll hang up and listen. I still use it we think it's

[Co-host/Producer (possibly Michael Wilbon)]

okay, but doctors seem to say it's

[Tony Kornheiser]

Dr. Kaguchi said it was the devil. She said it was the devil. And she has a med school degree. I'm a doctor, but not that kind of doctor. I think everyone on the PGA Tour, including Scotty and Rory, should be kissing Phil Mickelson's tuchus for the money they are making. Without Liv, that never would have happened. Regards, DG. Okay, and there's also a P.S. his birthday. Yes, his birthday. Happy birthday. Happy birthday. He's a kid. He's a kid. If you're out on your bike tonight, everyone, as always, do wear white.

[Taylor Twellman]

Who made the eggs salad sandwiches?

[Isabel Kennedy (musical guest)]

You laughed at something little looked down and back at me I lost lost my nerves so quick choked on words I didn't mean I walked home with my heart and hands shoved in my sleeves I play the moment over like a song stuck on a repeated strange how nothing can settle so deep how your voice drifts in when I'm half asleep Nothing ever started so nothing could ever break if you called me to make the same mistake I risk the crash and burning the fall Just to see if the moment could ever be anything at all. Sometimes I spot your shadow in crowded city streets or hear a laugh that lingers and sounds just a little too sweet I wonder if you're somewhere far if you ever think of me or if I'm only holding what could have been between you Nothing ever happened happens but it's heavy and bright like fireworks in mid July in the middle of the night Nothing ever started so nothing could ever break if you called me you all would make the same mistakes I miss the crash and the burning the fall just to see almost could ever be anything new. Maybe it's simple and maybe it's slow and maybe it was something never quite know maybe you find me maybe I'll stay I still open the door I still haven't found more Nothing I'm starting so nothing could ever break if you call me. Just to see if the no

[Co-host/Producer (possibly Michael Wilbon)]

you.

[Isabel Kennedy (musical guest)]

You laughed at something little down and back at me I play the moment over like a song stuck on repeat I'm stuck in a drought day and day back to the world I'm see through but it's different with you Cuz your love is like lightning to me it's not fighting your love is like thunder in the silence feel the rain in the smiling yeah I smile

[Taylor Twellman]

want

[Isabel Kennedy (musical guest)]

to stay for a while Cuz the rain it washes away the pain

[Taylor Twellman]

with

[Isabel Kennedy (musical guest)]

no way to escape Every day is the same? Then you look at me? Suddenly it's like I'm free? Cuz your love's like lightning to me? It's not frightening? Your loves like thunder? In the silence? Feel the rain? And I start smiling, yeah? Smile? Want to stay for a while? Cuz the rain, it washes away the pain? They can call us crazy? But they're stuck in the safety? Do anything? I'm not a puppet on a string? Your love is like lightning to me? It's not frightening? Love's like thunder? In the silence? Feel the rain? I start smiling, yeah, I smile? Wanna stay for a while? Cause the ra.