Alum Kinnon LaRose Scores on the Racetrack
He parlayed leadership skills learned on SHU’s basketball court into a career managing racehorses
Kinnon LaRose ’19, MA ’20, a former Sacred Heart University basketball captain, has jockeyed himself into a career at the track.
LaRose, who majored in sport management and earned a master’s degree in strategic communication & public relations (SCPR) at SHU, had hoped to continue playing basketball professionally overseas after completing his studies, but COVID thwarted those plans. Searching for job opportunities in the middle of a pandemic proved challenging.
“I grew up watching horse racing with my father and grandfather,” LaRose said. “I decided to reach out to [thoroughbred horse trainer] Tom Amoss. I sent him a résumé and the digital portfolio I created in the SCPR program and told him that I was looking for an opportunity to work for him and learn from him.” Even though LaRose had no hands-on experience working with horses, Amoss got in touch immediately. For the last two years, LaRose has been the assistant trainer to Amoss, who recently celebrated his 4,000th career victory.
“I love it,” LaRose said of his job managing 20 horses plus the stable staff. “It’s 365 days a year and 24/7. We’re at the barn between 4:30 and 5 in the morning, and on race days we work until 5 or 6 at night. Then we do it all over again the next day. These horses are incredible athletes; it’s great to work with them.”
LaRose’s work keeps him traveling among Saratoga Springs, NY; Louisville, KY; and New Orleans, LA. He tracks the horses’ weight, diet and training regimen, and he makes sure “they have everything they need to perform when they get to the racetrack. There’s a lot that goes into it. Just when you think you have these horses figured out, they’ll throw you a curve ball and you have to go with it to make sure they are taken care of.”
LaRose credits Anthony Latina, his Sacred Heart basketball coach, for his leadership skills. Latina brings military leaders and other speakers in each year to teach the team about leadership on the basketball court. “Throughout the year, we not only watch but also bring in individuals in leadership positions to speak to our team on various topics,” said Latina. “Our goal is always to educate and prepare our student athletes to the best of our ability so they can be both productive and successful after their time at Sacred Heart is over.”
LaRose’s success does not surprise his former coach. “Kinnon was a pleasure to coach for so many reasons! His humility and gratitude for the opportunity he was given at Sacred Heart was something he displayed daily,” said Latina. “In more than 27 years as a college coach, I have never been around a more unselfish teammate than Kinnon. He always put the team first and often at the expense of his own personal gain. Kinnon was a model for all his teammates to follow!”
“Every day is another opportunity to get better,” said LaRose. “When you love what you do, that’s the key to success. When your horse wins, it’s such a sense of gratification. To be a part of this is very special.”
