Michael Wrona ‏

[ldiatone]

this just tweeted by Michael Wrona
‏

@Michael_Wrona
12m12 minutes ago Mr. Ritvo has just fired me. I am no longer employed at Santa Anita.

why???

[thaskalos]

Who is asking "Why???"...Wrona, or YOU?

[ldiatone]

Who is asking "Why???"...Wrona, or YOU?

me i tweeted back and asked why?? no answer

[Andy Asaro]

me i tweeted back and asked why?? no answer

Could be because he took the job at Kentucky Downs next year or it could be that they want to pay someone a lot less for the same job. Santa Anita isn't exactly swimming in profits.

[lamboguy]

i am not sure, but i heard somewhere that Kentucky Downs got sold to Churchill Downs. if that is the case and Wrona accepted a job with Churchill, that would be an automatic firing

[Zman179]

Unbelievable. Fired? With his talent???? Absolutely shameful move by Ritvo.

[tcasolo]

KD was not bought by Churchill

[the little guy]

i am not sure, but i heard somewhere that Kentucky Downs got sold to Churchill Downs. if that is the case and Wrona accepted a job with Churchill, that would be an automatic firing


Chris Davis has a better batting average than you.

[Andy Asaro]

https://twitter.com/DRFPrivman/status/1066482704437440512

[Andy Asaro]

https://twitter.com/JEspinoza1634/status/1066495076359000064

Jerry is usually a reliable source.

[ReplayRandall]

Santa Anita is going to replace Wrona with.....

https://twitter.com/JoeyWhitford/status/1066483469700816897

https://twitter.com/DelMarkid12/status/1066491282598580234

[Andy Asaro]

Santa Anita is going to replace Wrona with.....

https://twitter.com/JoeyWhitford/status/1066483469700816897

https://twitter.com/DelMarkid12/status/1066491282598580234

Ain't gonna happen. 100%

[chenoa]

I don't think Santa Anita would allow Stauffer within 100 yards of the announcer's booth.

[Andy Asaro]

https://twitter.com/BH_JBalan/status/1066499112558710787

https://twitter.com/racetrackandy/status/1066499525005570048

[Tom]

Stronach - just keeps getting better and better. :puke:
Such a gift to racing. :puke:

[ReplayRandall]

Ain't gonna happen. 100%

I don't think Santa Anita would allow Stauffer within 100 yards of the announcer's booth.

Just having a little fun with some of the twitter comments that are coming out...:cool:

[Andy Asaro]

Just having a little fun with some of the twitter comments that are coming out...:cool:

I know. :ThmbUp:

[Prioress Ply]

According to the experts on this very site, like Dilanesp, SA is doing just fine. What a fing joke this has become.

[Afleet]

maybe he is going to get the gig at the new KEE/CDI harness track:rolleyes:

[chenoa]

:ThmbUp:

[GMB@BP]

gotta pay for those family lawsuits somehow.

Maybe they should raise takeout.

Bad industry to get into, for the most part, thank god I came to my senses.

[Zman179]

Something tells me whomever is going to replace Wrona is going to have the same welcome as when John Imbriale tried to replace Phil Georgeff at Arlington. Wrona did nothing wrong and he totally rocks as an announcer! Geez, I feel really bad for him.

[lefty359]

Michael Wrona is the best announcer to come along since Trevor Denman. These two are in a class by themselves. Wherever Wrona goes, they'll be lucky to have him...

[ReplayRandall]

Michael Wrona is the best announcer to come along since Trevor Denman. These two are in a class by themselves. Wherever Wrona goes, they'll be lucky to have him...

Let's not get carried away now.....Wrona isn't in the same league as Trevor.

[chenoa]

LA Times listed Mirahmadi and Dinerman among contenders.........:puke:
No thanks.

[Andy Asaro]

LA Times listed Mirahmadi and Dinerman among contenders.........:puke:
No thanks.

Mirahmadi 1-5 to get it IMO. He has some powerful backers and he's a pretty good race caller. Still wish Wrona would have stayed on.

[ReplayRandall]

Mirahmadi 1-5 to get it IMO. He has some powerful backers.

If that's true, they'll be closing SA and selling the land in the next couple of years....:ThmbDown:

[Cuffdaddy]

Jay Richards from Horse and Jockey is in the mix due to his salary demands.
He only needs to say "Stronach and Rivto, a powerful source for winners" in his interview to seal the deal.

[freehouse2002]

It’ll probably be Dinnerman. Young, eager, cheaper. Sucks for Wrona. He deserved better.

[Elkchester Road]

Horse racing always seems to have time for stuff like this, but no time to address the problems. Guess it's because Michael Wrona announcing at Santa Anita is, in their eyes, a problem.

It is getting hard to follow this game/sport/business...even from a distance. :rip:

[AskinHaskin]

It’ll probably be Dinnerman. Young, eager, cheaper.


if his voice ever changes, maybe... (or is it changing now?)

[Fingal]

From reading the Paulick article, Ritvo said the new announcer will be "more involved " with the track. Made me think of Ed Burgart at Los Al & all the hats he's worn over the years besides being the announcer.

If this new guy at SA can also make a morning line.... if I was Jon White I'd start sitting against the wall to block any knives being aimed at my back.

[upthecreek]

What some of you liked about Wrona is what got him fired:
No one offered an explanation, or much of anything, on what precipitated the move. But the speculation is that Wrona’s style of giving lots of information on the horses during the race did not sit sell with Tim Ritvo, the chief operating officer at the Stronach Company.

[Andy Asaro]

What some of you liked about Wrona is what got him fired:
No one offered an explanation, or much of anything, on what precipitated the move. But the speculation is that Wrona’s style of giving lots of information on the horses during the race did not sit sell with Tim Ritvo, the chief operating officer at the Stronach Company.

I think Cherwa, who I like got this one dead wrong. IMO behind the scenes politics played a big role.

[Tom]

Imagine that loose cannon giving information to the customers!
They should lop off his head for that! :rolleyes:

[AstrosFan]

Matt Dinerman is a cheap hire, sounds horrible and clearly shouldn’t be in the position he is in today. He can thank Larry for his jobs and the same for Stone, but sadly the crop of today’s callers aren’t good and most track managements do not care who is on the roof calling races. Who is the cheapest? You’re hired!

Mark Johnson towers over the boring Stone at CD who wants to so badly be Durkin’s shadow. But does it even matter? Racing continues to chop dates and the foal crop is dropping and most racinos treat their product like a sideshow attraction like Penn National, Mahoning Valley and the list goes on.

[airford1]

I live 10 minutes from Santa Anita and have 45 years of patronage and will NEVER go back again. Pretty simple for me and saving money too. Racing cant save itself. IDIOTS.

[CheckMark]

Matt Dinerman is a cheap hire, sounds horrible and clearly shouldn’t be in the position he is in today. He can thank Larry for his jobs and the same for Stone, but sadly the crop of today’s callers aren’t good and most track managements do not care who is on the roof calling races. Who is the cheapest? You’re hired!

Mark Johnson towers over the boring Stone at CD who wants to so badly be Durkin’s shadow. But does it even matter? Racing continues to chop dates and the foal crop is dropping and most racinos treat their product like a sideshow attraction like Penn National, Mahoning Valley and the list goes on.

I agree with what you say about both. Dinerman would need a BIG wake up call from going from his small track to a big track like Santa Anita (apparently not now :lol:) and Johnson is alright but he scared the s*** our of me when he announces the derby. I wouldn’t be a terrible announcer if they were looking for a young lad but I would need lots of practice.

[airford1]

Trying to send a message to Santa Anita and they have a verification program that keeps asking you to confirm you are real and it goes on for ever. They want to close.

[CheckMark]

Trying to send a message to Santa Anita and they have a verification program that keeps asking you to confirm you are real and it goes on for ever. They want to close.

Guess I will have to switch handicapping at Santa Anita on December 26th and wait until January 25th when Oaklawn opens up. :pound:

[airford1]

Guess I will have to switch handicapping at Santa Anita on December 26th and wait until January 25th when Oaklawn opens up. :pound:

Easy to do if you have a life. I'll be Drag Racing and fishing on Lake Powell.

[CheckMark]

Easy to do if you have a life. I'll be Drag Racing and fishing on Lake Powell.

Good luck. I am doing a project with Mark the magician on oaklawn and how him and others do!

[airford1]

Truth is that Santa Anita doesn't have much to offer anymore.

[dilanesp]

According to the experts on this very site, like Dilanesp, SA is doing just fine. What a fing joke this has become.

I think I actually said that Santa Anita might not be around in 20 years. Though I don't see how firing an announcer has anything to do with it.

Having said that, while Wrona is a great announcer, this isn't the first personnel issue he has had. Hollywood let him go a couple of times and he may have left some other places involuntarily as well.

[dilanesp]

Let's not get carried away now.....Wrona isn't in the same league as Trevor.

I think he's better actually. Most detailed announcer I ever heard.

[Prioress Ply]

The place is really falling apart. I was there on BC day speaking to Joe Talamo's wife about why no one was there (second floor clubhouse room was practically deserted). She just laughed--said they don't promote it at all.

Everyone knows what's going on.

[dilanesp]

The place is really falling apart. I was there on BC day speaking to Joe Talamo's wife about why no one was there (second floor clubhouse room was practically deserted). She just laughed--said they don't promote it at all.

Everyone knows what's going on.

Well when you put it together with the firing of simulcast hosts, the firing of the guy who conducted the announcer search, and the desire that the new announcer do a bunch of work on the side, this certainly looks like cost cutting.

Bear in mind, if it is, the basic calculation is correct. If I ran a track I would hire the cheapest announcer possible, and have him or her do multiple duties. Bettors aren't going to stop betting because they don't like the race calls.

[ReplayRandall]

I think he's better actually. Most detailed announcer I ever heard.

Trevor is top three of all time, without question....Wrona is a good, solid announcer within the mediocre group that currently calls races.

[Robert Fischer]

I'm not a huge fan of his. I know some players and fans that would pick him as their favorite. So, it's a matter of opinion.

In general I never like to see anyone lose their job.

as far as this specific event, I have to see how it plays out

[Suff]

I read that his contract was up and he attended a scheduled meeting with Tim Ritvo where he was informed that his contract was not being renewed.

This happens all the time in business.

Every single contract that comes up for renewal is reviewed on its merits and current financial environment. I'm not even speaking about personal services contracts such as announcers or media people..... I include vendor services, food and beverage, software and technology, they all get reviewed and analyzed.

Most business only sign contracts when it benefits them. Business's always seek to get services on non-contractual basis if at all possible.

I assume Wrona was paid well. I also assume his other agreements will keep some money coming in for him. I don't feel any way towards him personally. Good Luck.

The fact that they let an entire team go does make me think that they are in fact...going in a different direction regarding their media team. Maybe it will be new, exciting and better?

[jimmyb]

It might turn out well Wrona as the Stronach ship is in crisis. Sounds like inside looting while the ship slowly sinks. Never liked them because of the Vic firing.



As far as active announcers go, John G Dooley would be my favorite.

[bello]

Personally Wrona always irritated me Announcers are important to the overrall track experience. I don't think he added much at all and his commentary during the races just hit me wrong.

If Ritvo reads this, please take a looks at Tony Calo of Finger Lakes and Peter Berry at Mountaineer. Two of the best in the business IMO.

[Suff]

And the lawsuit aside..

To look at GulfStream Park, the Casino at Gulfstream and the Village at Gulfstream, there does not appear to be any business issues.

The entire property is leased and is stunningly beautiful. And its leased to heavyweights too.. no dunkin donuts or Ross Dress for Less in Gulfstream Village.. it's all prestigious brands and retailers.

Casino is jammed on weekends


And Stronach/Gulfstream has additional acres of land to develop. in a very hot south florida real estate market. Things look rosy.

[Holybull1]

Well when you put it together with the firing of simulcast hosts, the firing of the guy who conducted the announcer search, and the desire that the new announcer do a bunch of work on the side, this certainly looks like cost cutting.

Bear in mind, if it is, the basic calculation is correct. If I ran a track I would hire the cheapest announcer possible, and have him or her do multiple duties. Bettors aren't going to stop betting because they don't like the race calls.

I don't bet Tampa Downs because I don't like the race caller. I didn't bet Churchill downs for a few years when they had their previous race caller also. I usually bet over 1K on a typical race day card. The race caller and simulcast host matter to me.

[elhelmete]

And the lawsuit aside..

To look at GulfStream Park, the Casino at Gulfstream and the Village at Gulfstream, there does not appear to be any business issues.

The entire property is leased and is stunningly beautiful. And its leased to heavyweights too.. no dunkin donuts or Ross Dress for Less in Gulfstream Village.. it's all prestigious brands and retailers.

Casino is jammed on weekends


And Stronach/Gulfstream has additional acres of land to develop. in a very hot south florida real estate market. Things look rosy.

My dad (also from Mass.) has horses @ GP and has been going there for years.

I went with him for the first time a few months ago.

According to him, and who knows with him sometimes, when the new Mall at Aventura opened up it throttled Gulfstream's retail and restaurant business. I thought the place looked bleak/empty when I was there but admittedly it was in the summertime and pretty hot.

Santa Anita is already adjacent to a huge Westfield mall with tons of restaurants so it would be interesting to see what they think they could bring to the table.

[castaway01]

And the lawsuit aside..

To look at GulfStream Park, the Casino at Gulfstream and the Village at Gulfstream, there does not appear to be any business issues.

The entire property is leased and is stunningly beautiful. And its leased to heavyweights too.. no dunkin donuts or Ross Dress for Less in Gulfstream Village.. it's all prestigious brands and retailers.

Casino is jammed on weekends


And Stronach/Gulfstream has additional acres of land to develop. in a very hot south florida real estate market. Things look rosy.

What does Stronach having a nice mall at Gulfstream have to do with Santa Anita's track announcer?

[dilanesp]

I don't bet Tampa Downs because I don't like the race caller. I didn't bet Churchill downs for a few years when they had their previous race caller also. I usually bet over 1K on a typical race day card. The race caller and simulcast host matter to me.

If you really behave like this you are leaving money on the table.

[ronsmac]

If you really behave like this you are leaving money on the table.Probably saving money. Few bettors beat the takeout consistently.

[Afleet]

As far as active announcers go, John G Dooley would be my favorite.

agree w/this

[Andy Asaro]

https://twitter.com/Michael_Wrona/status/1066805104542593024

[ClockersCorner]

Mr. Wrona is okay as announcer, capable and with a unique style. The track decided not to renew his contract after it expired. I don't see how this represents a sign of the demise of Santa Anita. Trevor is a great announcer and the racing, attendance and handle at the current DMR meet are pretty weak. I can't imagine attending or not attending (or betting on-line) based on the track announcer.

[jimmyb]

https://twitter.com/Michael_Wrona/status/1066805104542593024:ThmbUp::ThmbUp:

[mountainman]

I can't imagine attending or not attending (or betting on-line) based on the track announcer.

Or any analyst. The trend, in fact, is to hire cheaper or amputate parts of the presentation completely.

Those who covet and politic for on-air handicapping gigs just do not get it. The golden age is over. And the next wave gets scraps.

[jwcomposer]

Some of us are calling college hockey now, after all, Mark.

[whisperlunch]

Wrona is an elite top 3 announcer. I have no clue what a top tier announcer makes but this is not a money issue. There is a hair in the butter. Wrona is outstanding.

[dilanesp]

Mr. Wrona is okay as announcer, capable and with a unique style. The track decided not to renew his contract after it expired. I don't see how this represents a sign of the demise of Santa Anita. Trevor is a great announcer and the racing, attendance and handle at the current DMR meet are pretty weak. I can't imagine attending or not attending (or betting on-line) based on the track announcer.

Correct.

It's actually even more ridiculous than that- throughout most of the Santa Anita plant, you can't even hear Wrona's calls. The speakers are terrible.

[thaskalos]

Eliminate all race-announcers, I say...and use the money to get a high definition feed for all the tracks and the ADWs. Then we can follow the horses in the race all by ourselves. :ThmbUp:

[ronsmac]

Or any analyst. The trend, in fact, is to hire cheaper or amputate parts of the presentation completely.

Those who covet and politic for on-air handicapping gigs just do not get it. The golden age is over. And the next wave gets scraps.When was the golden age? Even as a teen I was reading about players missing the golden age and that was a long time ago.

[whisperlunch]

Nothing against Frank Mirahmadi he’s very very good. This guy at GG is okay. But they are not even in the league of Wrona.

[AstrosFan]

Some of us are calling college hockey now, after all, Mark.


You mean Division 2 ACHA hockey :lol:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_Collegiate_Hockey_Association

[Prioress Ply]

Well when you put it together with the firing of simulcast hosts, the firing of the guy who conducted the announcer search, and the desire that the new announcer do a bunch of work on the side, this certainly looks like cost cutting.

Bear in mind, if it is, the basic calculation is correct. If I ran a track I would hire the cheapest announcer possible, and have him or her do multiple duties. Bettors aren't going to stop betting because they don't like the race calls.

Slice and dice or turn it inside out ("if it is a cost cutting move the 'calculation' is correct") anyway you want. The fact is the place falling apart. The fields are a joke, the attendance is falling and the goodwill with longtime customers, bettors, owners and people connected generally with the sport is taking a beating.

But that's fine, as long as we can still pinch pennies. Eddie Lampert here we come.

[Speed Figure]

Kurt Becker would be my choice!

[Holybull1]

If you really behave like this you are leaving money on the table.
I could see your point if a person jumps from track to track betting races, but I like to focus on one meet and learn the track and trainer tendencies. When I play an entire meet I don’t want to be irritated everytime I hear the racecaller. I will say, I think 90% of racecallers do a good job.

[Suff]

According to him, and who knows with him sometimes,

That made me belly laugh!:lol:


My dad (also from Mass.) has horses @ GP and has been going there for years.

I went with him for the first time a few months ago.

According to him, and who knows with him sometimes, when the new Mall at Aventura opened up it throttled Gulfstream's retail and restaurant business. I thought the place looked bleak/empty when I was there but admittedly it was in the summertime and pretty hot.

Santa Anita is already adjacent to a huge Westfield mall with tons of restaurants so it would be interesting to see what they think they could bring to the table.

I'm curious if Santa Anita is truly integrated with the Westfield Mall? Because one of the coolest things about the Villages at Gulfstream is its completely metastasized into the Racetrack & Casino grounds.

In other words, you're strolling along the shops and restaurants and the Track is right there.. not even a traditional entrance per se... You're window shopping and you look up and there's the 16 foot by 16 foot video screen with odds and live track feed.

When you go to dinner at the Yard House in Gulfstream Village. which technically is not a part of the the race track... all the TV's are set to Horse Racing..:ThmbUp:

All of a sudden horse racing feels less fringe and more Posh and Upscale...
I actually think its different and made me think what Belmont could do with its huge empty race track and grounds.

I'm working nearby in Dania, and I've been to Gulfstream Village for dinner 5 or 6 times in the last two weeks... They have a big Christmas tree and small rides for the kids....and I see tons of Baby Strollers and families just hanging out at the Villages common area... so its very family friendly, which NAME ME ONE TRACK besides Saratoga that is family friendly?

To me its cool as shit. But at the same time, its South Florida and there is no no lack of competition for the entertainment and discretionary money...
The Mall at Aventura is smoking hot .... in all ways.

[airford1]

Mr. Wrona is okay as announcer, capable and with a unique style. The track decided not to renew his contract after it expired. I don't see how this represents a sign of the demise of Santa Anita. Trevor is a great announcer and the racing, attendance and handle at the current DMR meet are pretty weak. I can't imagine attending or not attending (or betting on-line) based on the track announcer.

For me it's more than Wrona. Santa Anita doesn't have much to offer and the future doesn't look real good.

[onefast99]

Private investor bought it.

[HalvOnHorseracing]

I don't bet Tampa Downs because I don't like the race caller. I didn't bet Churchill downs for a few years when they had their previous race caller also. I usually bet over 1K on a typical race day card. The race caller and simulcast host matter to me.

At Churchill were you thinking of Larry Colmus, Mark Johnson, Luke Kruytbosch, Kurt Becker, or Mike Battaglia? Just curious.

[HalvOnHorseracing]

Does anybody remember Ritvo saying that Stronach had a $5 million dollar piece of land that wasn't even returning 5%? The race tracks not only have to pay their own way, but pay the state to regulate them.

I can't really imagine that substituting a long time pro like Mirahmadi for another long time pro would save enough to make a substantial difference.

I'm with the group that says there is a reason that may eventually be made public, but it wasn't Wrona's ability as a race caller or his salary that caused his demise in my opinion.

[iamt]

If Wrona had been the only on-air talent let go it would suggest there is something specific to him, the fact that they have cleaned house, to me, makes it look like it is just part of a larger rationalization.


I could see them bring Frank over and giving him a large role, handicapping in the morning and then doing some presenting in addition to his calling during the day. All to save a salary or so.

[v j stauffer]

Santa Anita is going to replace Wrona with.....

https://twitter.com/JoeyWhitford/status/1066483469700816897

https://twitter.com/DelMarkid12/status/1066491282598580234 All the thoughts and emotions ripping thru this thread and THAT is what you felt you needed to say. Wow. I truly feel bad for you. Sad.

[ReplayRandall]

All the thoughts and emotions ripping thru this thread and THAT is what you felt you needed to say. Wow. I truly feel bad for you. Sad.

I didn't say it, Joey and the Del Mar Kid had their take on the matter....Relax, it was funny, no?

[mountainman]

When was the golden age? Even as a teen I was reading about players missing the golden age and that was a long time ago.

I meant the golden age of opportunity for in-house and racing-network analysts. And, I'm guessing, for callers, as well. Fewer spots and/or lower pay appear the future to me. And far less job security. The trend is well underway.

[JustRalph]

Let’s face it. Anybody that goes “on air” or is a “face of racing” is fighting an uphill battle.

The game is falling apart in most locales and there is no saving it. It’s all going to be downhill and the jobs and such are going to be more and more controlled by “gatekeepers” who are the very people who are driving the game into the ground. Why should we expect realistic and reasonable decisions by these folks ?

I think Wrona is very good. Lots of people who have worked hard to make their way into the sport, are going to find themselves with wasted lives and no jobs to aspire. Especially if they want to make real money.

[thaskalos]

Lots of people who have worked hard to make their way into the sport, are going to find themselves with wasted lives and no jobs to aspire. Especially if they want to make real money.

You could say the same about some of the most dedicated horseplayers out there. There isn't much of a future in mastering a "dying game".

[GMB@BP]

You could say the same about some of the most dedicated horseplayers out there. There isn't much of a future in mastering a "dying game".

I could not agree more.

[letswastemoney]

I'm in the minority here, but I didn't think Wrona was that good. It wasn't the accent, as I still like Trevor Denman.

Wrona wasn't bad either. The calls just felt unremarkable.

[thaskalos]

I'm in the minority here, but I didn't think Wrona was that good. It wasn't the accent, as I still like Trevor Denman.

Wrona wasn't bad either. The calls just felt unremarkable.

Let me take a wild guess. Tom Durkin's calls "felt remarkable"...RIGHT?

[papillon]

That made me belly laugh!:lol:




I'm curious if Santa Anita is truly integrated with the Westfield Mall? Because one of the coolest things about the Villages at Gulfstream is its completely metastasized into the Racetrack & Casino grounds.

In other words, you're strolling along the shops and restaurants and the Track is right there.. not even a traditional entrance per se... You're window shopping and you look up and there's the 16 foot by 16 foot video screen with odds and live track feed.

When you go to dinner at the Yard House in Gulfstream Village. which technically is not a part of the the race track... all the TV's are set to Horse Racing..:ThmbUp:

All of a sudden horse racing feels less fringe and more Posh and Upscale...
I actually think its different and made me think what Belmont could do with its huge empty race track and grounds.

I'm working nearby in Dania, and I've been to Gulfstream Village for dinner 5 or 6 times in the last two weeks... They have a big Christmas tree and small rides for the kids....and I see tons of Baby Strollers and families just hanging out at the Villages common area... so its very family friendly, which NAME ME ONE TRACK besides Saratoga that is family friendly?

To me its cool as shit. But at the same time, its South Florida and there is no no lack of competition for the entertainment and discretionary money...
The Mall at Aventura is smoking hot .... in all ways.

I haven't been down to Aventura in forever, did they build a new mall or are you talking about the one that was always there?

The shops at Gulfstream were built with the new track at the same time, when they took down the original track. I miss the old track, but I like the new track, it's cozy, free to enter, parking is free, you can just walk right up to the rail without some horrid little chain link fence between you and the track. They've got those tiki huts at the top of the stretch.

My carousel idea would work really well there...sigh...

However, in the summer, they should only race in the evening. It's general mammal abuse to be outside at noon in South Florida in the summer.

[ReplayRandall]

Let me take a wild guess. Tom Durkin's calls were "remarkable"...RIGHT?
What? Are you implying that Durkin and Wrona were in the same league?....Seriously?

[thaskalos]

What? Are you implying that Durkin and Wrona were in the same league?....Seriously?

Where did I say that? The guy said that Wrona wasn't "that good"...and it made me wonder how he felt about Tom Durkin.

If you ask me how I feel about the Durkin-Denman-Wrona trio...I would say that Denman beats Durkin by a head, with Wrona a length behind...but I could understand how someone could see this top-two outcome in reverse. But, for the life of me...I can't understand how anyone could give a negative review to Wrona's race-calls...considering the cacophony that we hear out there currently.

[dilanesp]

I'm in the minority here, but I didn't think Wrona was that good. It wasn't the accent, as I still like Trevor Denman.

Wrona wasn't bad either. The calls just felt unremarkable.

"And Exaggerator runs by them like they are tied to the rail!"

[Holybull1]

At Churchill were you thinking of Larry Colmus, Mark Johnson, Luke Kruytbosch, Kurt Becker, or Mike Battaglia? Just curious.

Mark Johnson. Not that he made many mistakes during his race calls, I wouldn’t hold a mistake here and there against any racecaller. His yelling during the stretch run was like fingernails on a chalkboard to me after a long time of playing an entire meet. I eventually would just mute his calls if betting at home.

[Andy Asaro]

https://twitter.com/racetrackandy/status/1067068329846657025

[Zman179]

This could be a blessing in disguise; I hope NYRA/Monmouth scoop him up as I’d love to hear his calls here (NYRA as an assistant of course plus TVG personality). Only problem is our winter weather.

My guess on his period of unemployment: two weeks.

[ubercapper]

i am not sure, but i heard somewhere that Kentucky Downs got sold to Churchill Downs. if that is the case and Wrona accepted a job with Churchill, that would be an automatic firing


Kentucky Downs was bought by an entity owned by Ron Winchell and Marc Falcone and they have no affiliation with Churchill Downs as far as everything mentioned to date.

[ubercapper]

Kurt Becker would be my choice!


I was waiting for someone to mention Kurt. I second the motion. Always articulate, no screaming, great tone to his voice and he always checks irregular names with owners and trainers (unlike Trevor) to get them right.



The only issue is Kurt has a nearly full-time (except for Keeneland) job calling auto racing which he loves.

[Inner Dirt]

Wrona is one of the elite and I am sure he will land on his feet. As for track announcers other than someone being incredibly inept I believe most of it is a matter of personal taste. It seems to be a very difficult job. I would have had to watch a replay over a half dozen times to catch all the things a vintage Trevor Denman pointed out. As for personal taste most of the OTB I went to could not stand Luke Kruytbosch when he was at Hollywood Park. His catchphrase "asked for speed" was often mocked. Obviously the hundred people who did not like him were in the minority as he got the coveted Churchill Downs job after Hollywood Park.

[castaway01]

Wrona is one of the elite and I am sure he will land on his feet. As for track announcers other than someone being incredibly inept I believe most of it is a matter of personal taste. It seems to be a very difficult job. I would have had to watch a replay over a half dozen times to catch all the things a vintage Trevor Denman pointed out. As for personal taste most of the OTB I went to could not stand Luke Kruytbosch when he was at Hollywood Park. His catchphrase "asked for speed" was often mocked. Obviously the hundred people who did not like him were in the minority as he got the coveted Churchill Downs job after Hollywood Park.

I get your point but can we do better than going back 20 years to rip a guy who passed away a decade ago?

[PaceAdvantage]

Matt Dinerman is a cheap hire, sounds horrible and clearly shouldn’t be in the position he is in today. He can thank Larry for his jobs and the same for Stone, but sadly the crop of today’s callers aren’t good and most track managements do not care who is on the roof calling races. Who is the cheapest? You’re hired!

Mark Johnson towers over the boring Stone at CD who wants to so badly be Durkin’s shadow. But does it even matter? Racing continues to chop dates and the foal crop is dropping and most racinos treat their product like a sideshow attraction like Penn National, Mahoning Valley and the list goes on.Travis Stone is far better than you are giving him credit for. What did he do to piss you off? Friend of yours not get a job because of him?

[PaceAdvantage]

Let me take a wild guess. Tom Durkin's calls "felt remarkable"...RIGHT?Damn straight.

[HalvOnHorseracing]

Who remembers Bob Weems? Had the best schedule in the world. Turf Paradise from October to May, then Monmouth from May to September.

[HalvOnHorseracing]

Wrona is one of the elite and I am sure he will land on his feet. As for track announcers other than someone being incredibly inept I believe most of it is a matter of personal taste. It seems to be a very difficult job. I would have had to watch a replay over a half dozen times to catch all the things a vintage Trevor Denman pointed out. As for personal taste most of the OTB I went to could not stand Luke Kruytbosch when he was at Hollywood Park. His catchphrase "asked for speed" was often mocked. Obviously the hundred people who did not like him were in the minority as he got the coveted Churchill Downs job after Hollywood Park.

I know Luke worked in New Mexico (Ruidoso I believe) and Turf Paradise for a while. He wasn't my favorite race caller but I could listen to him. On the other hand, 30 seconds of Mike Battaglia was more than any human should endure.

I know Phil Georgeff was sanctified in the midwest, but that "here they come spinning out of the turn" call did nothing for me. On the other hand, I never got tired of Dave Johnson's "and down the stretch they come."

With Frank going to Santa Anita, Monmouth is open. I don't see why Wrona would turn it down if offered.

[dilanesp]

Maybe Miramahdi can do a Wrona impression for all the Santa Anita fans who miss him.

[Inner Dirt]

Wrona is one of the elite and I am sure he will land on his feet. As for track announcers other than someone being incredibly inept I believe most of it is a matter of personal taste. It seems to be a very difficult job. I would have had to watch a replay over a half dozen times to catch all the things a vintage Trevor Denman pointed out. As for personal taste most of the OTB I went to could not stand Luke Kruytbosch when he was at Hollywood Park. His catchphrase "asked for speed" was often mocked. Obviously the hundred people who did not like him were in the minority as he got the coveted Churchill Downs job after Hollywood Park.

I get your point but can we do better than going back 20 years to rip a guy who passed away a decade ago?


The dearly departed are not sacred to me. I also was saying while most of my lot did not like Luke, many people did. I also said announcing horse races is a difficult job. I do not understand why you jumped on my for my post. In your world is it wrong to say anything negative about someone who is no longer with us?

[Tom]

Frank has that "Godfather" look in the tweet Andy posted! :eek:

[Inner Dirt]

Anyone posting a critique and naming a track announcer past or present should post a link to one of their calls for those of us who are less fortunate that have one of the following:


Bad with remembering names.


Data capped internet.


Due note, people with data capped internet are exempt from this mandate.

[Holybull1]

Mr. Wrona is okay as announcer, capable and with a unique style. The track decided not to renew his contract after it expired. I don't see how this represents a sign of the demise of Santa Anita. Trevor is a great announcer and the racing, attendance and handle at the current DMR meet are pretty weak. I can't imagine attending or not attending (or betting on-line) based on the track announcer.

Not being interested in betting a track because of the track announcer is no more far fetched than betting because of the paddock host. I read where Beulah Park simulcast handle increased over 50% after they introduced the Beulah twins.

[JustRalph]

Not being interested in betting a track because of the track announcer is no more far fetched than betting because of the paddock host. I read where Beulah Park simulcast handle increased over 50% after they introduced the Beulah twins.

No way........?

[v j stauffer]

Not being interested in betting a track because of the track announcer is no more far fetched than betting because of the paddock host. I read where Beulah Park simulcast handle increased over 50% after they introduced the Beulah twins.

:D:D:D

[pandy]

I'm in the minority here, but I didn't think Wrona was that good. It wasn't the accent, as I still like Trevor Denman.

Wrona wasn't bad either. The calls just felt unremarkable.

Wrona is good and accurate and I wish him luck, but I personally didn't like his whiny voice and accent and I often turned down the volume. Denman was one of the all-time best, of course, but he had a great voice and his accent wasn't strong. But unfortunately, in my opinion, Denman's success induced other tracks to hire announcers with English accents and none of them could shine Denman's shoes. And I don't recall ever hearing a race call from a track in England where the announcer has an American accent.

I'm glad Frank Mirahmadi is getting the job, which he should have had in the first place. Now I can listen to the Santa Anita calls again. If Wrona was so well liked by the Santa Anita fan base, he wouldn't have been fired.

[pandy]

For me it's more than Wrona. Santa Anita doesn't have much to offer and the future doesn't look real good.

Santa Anita is one of the most beautiful tracks in the world, has some of the fastest and classiest horses in racing, an outstanding colony of jockeys and trainers, and has perfect weather most of the time with hardly any races having to come off the turf. And now they finally seem to have gotten rid of the speed bias, most of the time. That's a lot to offer.

[dilanesp]

Wrona is good and accurate and I wish him luck, but I personally didn't like his whiny voice and accent and I often turned down the volume. Denman was one of the all-time best, of course, but he had a great voice and his accent wasn't strong. But unfortunately, in my opinion, Denman's success induced other tracks to hire announcers with English accents and none of them could shine Denman's shoes. And I don't recall ever hearing a race call from a track in England where the announcer has an American accent.

I'm glad Frank Mirahmadi is getting the job, which he should have had in the first place. Now I can listen to the Santa Anita calls again. If Wrona was so well liked by the Santa Anita fan base, he wouldn't have been fired.

That last point is disproven by Arlington's firing of Phil Georgeff in 1982.

[Zman179]

Not being interested in betting a track because of the track announcer is no more far fetched than betting because of the paddock host. I read where Beulah Park simulcast handle increased over 50% after they introduced the Beulah twins.

No way........?

Holybull is absolutely correct

In 1997, weary of seeing Beulah crowded out of the simulcast market by signals from better tracks, Weiss came up with his signature move. He hired two young, attractive women who had been working as mutuel clerks to host the simulcast show, and they became an instant brand and industry-wide phenomenon. Blatant sexism it was, but all-sources wagering almost doubled within two years, no doubt the result of older men in simulcast parlors paying closer attention to the Beulah signal.

Katie and Jenna were the names of “The Beulah Twins,” whose seductive images were shown in Playboy (a bikini spread, that is) and were featured in numerous mainstream media outlets. They even had their own twin bobblehead.

“There’s no doubt they are noticed,” Weiss said in a 1999 article in the New York Daily News, “and our off-track numbers have gone up significantly. I can’t say it’s 100 percent because of them, but they have made people look at our races.”

https://www.drf.com/news/requiem-racetrack-beulah-park-closing-leaving-many-horsemen-behind

[Zman179]

If Wrona was so well liked by the Santa Anita fan base, he wouldn't have been fired.

Yeah, tell that to John Imbriale.

Phil Georgeff was the most popular announcer ever in Chicago racing history. The fans loved him but management disliked him. So with six weeks left in the Arlington meet, they fired Phil and hired John. According to Imbriale, 85% of the crowd booed him and he received tons of hate mail. He decided not to return for the next meet, the track got sold and Georgeff was hired back.

If I recall correctly a second incident of this type also occurred, but I’d have to do some research for particulars.

[Tom]

I think Johnny I is the best announcer NYRA has and has had in many years.
But I thing this thing with Wrona has more to it than we are hearing.

They went through that whole audition process to choose him and Frank was rejected at that time. Why a change now?

I thought Frank was the best choice all along, and am happy he is there now.
But I think Wrona has been wronged getting axed this close to opening day.

[CheckMark]

Wrona is good and accurate and I wish him luck, but I personally didn't like his whiny voice and accent and I often turned down the volume. Denman was one of the all-time best, of course, but he had a great voice and his accent wasn't strong. But unfortunately, in my opinion, Denman's success induced other tracks to hire announcers with English accents and none of them could shine Denman's shoes. And I don't recall ever hearing a race call from a track in England where the announcer has an American accent.

I'm glad Frank Mirahmadi is getting the job, which he should have had in the first place. Now I can listen to the Santa Anita calls again. If Wrona was so well liked by the Santa Anita fan base, he wouldn't have been fired.

What was his line that he said before shutting off? It sounded like "Huroo" or "Puru".

[Zman179]

What was his line that he said before shutting off? It sounded like "Huroo" or "Puru".


Hooroo is a common Australian term which signifies ‘goodbye’.

[Zman179]

But I think Wrona has been wronged getting axed this close to opening day.

100%. I don’t know Mr. Wrona, but I feel terrible for him and, to be honest, I really like his work a lot. This was a classless move by Ritvo.

[elhelmete]

in my opinion, Denman's success induced other tracks to hire announcers with English accents and none of them could shine Denman's shoes. And I don't recall ever hearing a race call from a track in England where the announcer has an American accent.


Neither Denman nor Wrona are English or have English accents.

[spiketoo]

This is like going from a G1 to Clm25000n2L.

[airford1]

Santa Anita is one of the most beautiful tracks in the world, has some of the fastest and classiest horses in racing, an outstanding colony of jockeys and trainers, and has perfect weather most of the time with hardly any races having to come off the turf. And now they finally seem to have gotten rid of the speed bias, most of the time. That's a lot to offer.

You are killing me Smalls. "outstanding colony of jockeys and trainers,":lol: and if the racing stock was so good why are trainers from the East coming in to take the big purses and roll back home. Now that you speak with such high regards for Santa Anita you must enjoy the 5-6 horse races which makes it easier to find the winner in a smaller field. 4/5 is also appealing when it should be 2/1 if santa anita had a 12 horse race. Now if you have EVER been to the great race place over the last 25 years you would know that the Patron services have been on a free fall with no sign of getting better. Crapped on Trevor, now Wrona . Love the new wagering for the bettor, Rainbow Jackpot. Good stuff. I'm done with Santa Anita for ALOT of reasons and the firing of more staff is the last straw. We all have choices.

[mountainman]

Not being interested in betting a track because of the track announcer is no more far fetched than betting because of the paddock host. I read where Beulah Park simulcast handle increased over 50% after they introduced the Beulah twins.

Brilliant move, if a somewhat humbling one for fat and bald in-house analysts.
The dude who scripted them, btw, sure liked the term "pork chop." As in : "This horse looks pork chop," or: "That trifecta paid pork chop."

The legendary twins, for what its worth, reportedly have gone super-sized. And I don't mean a McDonald's #4.

[azeri98]

Mirimahdi is the new track announcer at Santa Anita. He starts Dec 26th

[HalvOnHorseracing]

Wrona is good and accurate and I wish him luck, but I personally didn't like his whiny voice and accent and I often turned down the volume. Denman was one of the all-time best, of course, but he had a great voice and his accent wasn't strong. But unfortunately, in my opinion, Denman's success induced other tracks to hire announcers with English accents and none of them could shine Denman's shoes. And I don't recall ever hearing a race call from a track in England where the announcer has an American accent.

I'm glad Frank Mirahmadi is getting the job, which he should have had in the first place. Now I can listen to the Santa Anita calls again. If Wrona was so well liked by the Santa Anita fan base, he wouldn't have been fired.
Denman is from South Africa. Wrona is Australian. Peter Berry is Australian. I can't think of any English announcers here.

I think all three of those men are good race callers. Still, now that that have chiclets when showing the races on TV/computer, I find myself not listening to the announcer as closely as I used to.

[azeri98]

Denman is from South Africa. Wrona is Australian. Peter Berry is Australian. I can't think of any English announcers here.

I think all three of those men are good race callers. Still, now that that have chiclets when showing the races on TV/computer, I find myself not listening to the announcer as closely as I used to.

Mark Johnson lasted one year at Churchill Downs. he was just awful

[pandy]

Neither Denman nor Wrona are English or have English accents.

You know what I mean.

[pandy]

Denman is from South Africa. Wrona is Australian. Peter Berry is Australian. I can't think of any English announcers here.

I think all three of those men are good race callers. Still, now that that have chiclets when showing the races on TV/computer, I find myself not listening to the announcer as closely as I used to.

I didn't say they were English, but all of those accents are English accents, or close enough, as far as I'm concerned. But Denman's voice and accent sounded great. He had great tone, a great announcer's voice. To me, the sound of an announcer's voice matters.

[the little guy]

I didn't say they were English, but all of those accents are English accents, or close enough, as far as I'm concerned. But Denman's voice and accent sounded great. He had great tone, a great announcer's voice. To me, the sound of an announcer's voice matters.


As far as you're concerned.

Yeah, you know, they all kind of look alike.

[v j stauffer]

Mark Johnson lasted one year at Churchill Downs. he was just awful

I thought Mark was at CD longer than a year. No?

[Holybull1]

I thought Mark was at CD longer than a year. No?

I believe he was there for five years. He beat out Larry Collmus, Bobby Neuman, Travis Stone, and Michael Wrona for the job.

[ReplayRandall]

Mark Johnson (November 26–29, 2008, 2009–2013) at Churchill Downs

[v j stauffer]

I believe he was there for five years. He beat out Larry Collmus, Bobby Neuman, Travis Stone, and Michael Wrona for the job.

I heard he finished 5th in the voting but was still named the announcer.

[v j stauffer]

I don't have a dog in this fight. I've known both Michael and Frank for many years. They're both friends and IMO both outstanding announcers.

I will say one thing that I'm VERY VERY sure of. Not ONE person. Not ONE is going to choose whether or not to play the races at Santa Anita or ANY other racetrack in the world based on who the announcer and or the paddock talent is. Has NEVER happened. Will NEVER happen. I've read in these threads people saying they will now boycott Santa Anita because they didn't renew Michael's contract and brought Frank on board. :D:D:D:D:D:D:D:D:D:D:D:D:D:D:D:D

[pandy]

I would imagine that Santa Anita did internal polling of some sort to determine the popularity of the announcer before deciding on a contract renewal, but who knows.

[JustRalph]

Holybull is absolutely correct

In 1997, weary of seeing Beulah crowded out of the simulcast market by signals from better tracks, Weiss came up with his signature move. He hired two young, attractive women who had been working as mutuel clerks to host the simulcast show, and they became an instant brand and industry-wide phenomenon. Blatant sexism it was, but all-sources wagering almost doubled within two years, no doubt the result of older men in simulcast parlors paying closer attention to the Beulah signal.

Katie and Jenna were the names of “The Beulah Twins,” whose seductive images were shown in Playboy (a bikini spread, that is) and were featured in numerous mainstream media outlets. They even had their own twin bobblehead.

“There’s no doubt they are noticed,” Weiss said in a 1999 article in the New York Daily News, “and our off-track numbers have gone up significantly. I can’t say it’s 100 percent because of them, but they have made people look at our races.”

https://www.drf.com/news/requiem-racetrack-beulah-park-closing-leaving-many-horsemen-behind

Sorry, not buying it.......he can claim anything he wants......

[Zman179]

Sorry, not buying it.......he can claim anything he wants......

Just because you didn’t see it doesn’t mean that it didn’t happen. I saw it, handle doubled due to the Twins as per DRF and people who had never heard of Beulah Park were now paying attention to the races. I’d be in the simulcast room at The Meadowlands and people would be handicapping Aqueduct and Gulfstream, yet would look up for a minute and comment when the Twins made their selections. The Twins even made Good Morning America and the Today Show.

Beulah Park came up with a number of initiatives to drum up business on a woeful product. There was the creation of America Tab, which later was bought by CDI and turned into twinspires.com, there was also the Beulah Twins and then the 25 cent Fortune 6, the first Jackpot wager in the Continental US (those three items not necessarily in chronological order).

Now as far as people betting/not betting due to a particular announcer, I have never seen that result in any concrete addition or reduction in average pool size.

[cj]

https://www.nydailynews.com/archives/sports/beauties-beasts-good-business-article-1.840151

[rrpic6]

Brilliant move, if a somewhat humbling one for fat and bald in-house analysts.
The dude who scripted them, btw, sure liked the term "pork chop." As in : "This horse looks pork chop," or: "That trifecta paid pork chop."

The legendary twins, for what its worth, reportedly have gone super-sized. And I don't mean a McDonald's #4.


It was quite a shock to them in 2008 at a Handicapping contest at Beulah. I believe one of the twins did endure a personal tragedy in that time period. I had see them a few times in Weiss's office in their heyday when I was going there to help out with America Tab's inaugural Player's Pools in 2004-06. They did get their 10 minutes of fame, thanks to Weiss.



PS. I believe it was Gary Johnson ghost writing and 'capping for the twins. He is back to Training at Mahoning Valley these days.




RR

[Holybull1]

Sorry, not buying it.......he can claim anything he wants......


Believe it. The simulcast handle grew from 14 to 23 million. I remember them visiting Oaklawn one year and everyone went nuts. The line for autographs was really long from what I remember.

[mountainman]

It was quite a shock to them in 2008 at a Handicapping contest at Beulah. I believe one of the twins did endure a personal tragedy in that time period. I had see them a few times in Weiss's office in their heyday when I was going there to help out with America Tab's inaugural Player's Pools in 2004-06. They did get their 10 minutes of fame, thanks to Weiss.



PS. I believe it was Gary Johnson ghost writing and 'capping for the twins. He is back to Training at Mahoning Valley these days.




RR A friend of mine and incredibly sharp dude. An ace handicapper AND skilled horseman. Some of the claims that GJ turns to gold seem far from obvious when haltered. The guy is just simply a higher form of intelligence.

I have heard, though, that it was Gary's brother, Billy, who actually scripted the twins.

[wisconsin]

The Twins even made Good Morning America and the Today Show.




And a Playboy bikini spread...

[dilanesp]

Does anyone else have a display error on this thread from the main menu? It goes pages 5-4-3-2-1 instead of 1-2-3-4-5.

[thaskalos]

Does anyone else have a display error on this thread from the main menu? It goes pages 5-4-3-2-1 instead of 1-2-3-4-5.

Same here.

[Tom]

Shows up 1-2-3-4-5-6-7-8- for me.

[MONEY]

On Microsoft Edge the numbers are OK, on Google the numbers are in reverse.

[JustRalph]

It was quite a shock to them in 2008 at a Handicapping contest at Beulah. I believe one of the twins did endure a personal tragedy in that time period. I had see them a few times in Weiss's office in their heyday when I was going there to help out with America Tab's inaugural Player's Pools in 2004-06. They did get their 10 minutes of fame, thanks to Weiss.



PS. I believe it was Gary Johnson ghost writing and 'capping for the twins. He is back to Training at Mahoning Valley these days.




RR

I was on the scene of that tragedy. Just happen to be there. Happen right ifo me

14-23 isn’t double but ok.....I get it.

[Suff]

Does anyone else have a display error on this thread from the main menu? It goes pages 5-4-3-2-1 instead of 1-2-3-4-5.

4

[devilsbag]

Does anyone else have a display error on this thread from the main menu? It goes pages 5-4-3-2-1 instead of 1-2-3-4-5.

New site feature: any posts involving the southern hemisphere will have their page count appear counterclockwise.

[jimmyb]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CCV9PhiqsbU


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aFx_CS7j9N8

[AskinHaskin]

And a Playboy bikini spread...

Those girls were earthy and grounded too (which really helped in those long autograph lines). (not that I ever endured such a line... visited Beulah on a dead Tuesday and at one point had a semi-private audience with the twins and their mother Barbara for good measure)

[AskinHaskin]

"Don't Stop Believin' "

[AskinHaskin]

Now it's one thing to see them here, but imagine roaming through dreary Beulah Park and finding someone like that actually selling tickets behind the counter with her mother beside her selling mutuels at the next window.

[JustRalph]

I thought somebody bought Beulah park to put houses on it?

[Redbullsnation]

Mirimahdi is the new track announcer at Santa Anita. He starts Dec 26th

Not a bad guy to replace Wrona. Maybe Wrona replaces him as the 3rd-string QB at NYRA? :D

[Immanuel Kant]

If I was Wrona I'd be having recurring dreams featuring the O'Jays.....

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T6h1BV7FZqs

[Zman179]

I thought somebody bought Beulah park to put houses on it?

They did, but construction literally just got the green light for it now. The track is still there, but the grandstand was demolished in 2016 due to it becoming heavily vandalized.

https://www.bizjournals.com/columbus/news/2018/08/31/first-big-development-in-beulah-park-gets-a-green.html

[Zman179]

Now it's one thing to see them here, but imagine roaming through dreary Beulah Park and finding someone like that actually selling tickets behind the counter with her mother beside her selling mutuels at the next window.

Probably had the longest lines out of all the tellers. The loneliest spot must have been the teller next to the Twins. :D

[rrpic6]

I was on the scene of that tragedy. Just happen to be there. Happen right ifo me

14-23 isn’t double but ok.....I get it.


Wow! Small world indeed. Not sure of the "14-23 isn't double" comment? I should have read my original post, it had some missing words or letters, before I submitted it. The contest I went to might have been in the Winter of 2010 or 2011. The live racing was cancelled, so they did one on the fly with simulcast tracks. The twins helped out, but looked "unhealthy" to say the least. They were no longer on air.


The pretty faces on TVG, Gulfstream along with Katie G and others in Chicago and The Fairgrounds that followed should always tip their cap to Weiss and the Twins. They had to help with the glass ceiling of women in racing.


RR

[PaceAdvantage]

Does anyone else have a display error on this thread from the main menu? It goes pages 5-4-3-2-1 instead of 1-2-3-4-5.Me too....weird...have no idea how or why that is happening...

[airford1]

I don't have a dog in this fight. I've known both Michael and Frank for many years. They're both friends and IMO both outstanding announcers.

I will say one thing that I'm VERY VERY sure of. Not ONE person. Not ONE is going to choose whether or not to play the races at Santa Anita or ANY other racetrack in the world based on who the announcer and or the paddock talent is. Has NEVER happened. Will NEVER happen. I've read in these threads people saying they will now boycott Santa Anita because they didn't renew Michael's contract and brought Frank on board. :D:D:D:D:D:D:D:D:D:D:D:D:D:D:D:D

You are right as always, How could I be so stupid and now all I can think of is ,,,,,, And on the outside is, err, ahh, and also from the back, is, err, ahh, well the leader could be , well the one on the rail , maybe. God we listen to that for years.:D:D:D:D:D:D:D:D:D:D:D:D:D:D:D:D:D:D:D:D:D:D :D and he has a job. Imagine that.

[v j stauffer]

You are right as always, How could I be so stupid and now all I can think of is ,,,,,, And on the outside is, err, ahh, and also from the back, is, err, ahh, well the leader could be , well the one on the rail , maybe. God we listen to that for years.:D:D:D:D:D:D:D:D:D:D:D:D:D:D:D:D:D:D:D:D:D:D :D and he has a job. Imagine that.


I never say err ahh in a race call.

It's always ahh err.

Structure is everything :D:D

[airford1]

As Rocky would say "We all have GAPS" .

[v j stauffer]

As Rocky would say "We all have GAPS" .

I think it was Leon Spinks who said that.

[tophatmert]

"Don't Stop Believin' "

I hope Andy and Anthony don't get any ideas.

[AskinHaskin]

I think it was Leon Spinks who said that.

I thought it was Richard Nixon?

[ultracapper]

"Don't Stop Believin' "


No kiddin'!!!!

Where do I place my bets?

[lefty359]

Looks like Trevor Denman is Wrona's replacement at Santa Anita. Wonder if it's interim or for good. I thought he had retired...

[cj]

Looks like Trevor Denman is Wrona's replacement at Santa Anita. Wonder if it's interim or for good. I thought he had retired...

Ummm, no.

https://www.bloodhorse.com/horse-racing/articles/230902/frank-mirahmadi-named-santa-anita-track-announcer

[Redbullsnation]

Ummm, no.

https://www.bloodhorse.com/horse-racing/articles/230902/frank-mirahmadi-named-santa-anita-track-announcer
He missed that by a mile :D

[Andy Asaro]

https://twitter.com/racetrackandy/status/1068537621603729408

[Andy Asaro]

https://wiretowindow.wordpress.com/2018/11/29/racetrack-announcers/amp/?__twitter_impression=true

Excerpt:


Over the past few days racetrack announcers have been quite the “hot topic” on horse twitter. Here’s the review, Vic Stauffer aka @goofongheroof selling his picks. Michael Wrona aka @Michael_Wrona got unceremoniously fired from Santa Anita. Frank Mirahmadi aka @FrankMirahmadi getting the job at Santa Anita. Last night Jimmy McNerney aka @JimmyMcNerney was accused by Ed DeRosa of TwinSpires for betting on a horse in a race that he called.

Will start with Vic Stauffer, he’s currently the announcer at Oaklawn & does a few shifts weekly with TVG. Last week Vic decided to start selling his picks, first with a money back guarantee. That lasted all of one day. Horse twitter has taken Vic over the coals with his “brainstorm” I have no feelings on what he’s doing. I do wonder what his employers think of this. TVG has it’s talent posting tickets all day everyday at least Vic would most likely be playing those tickets. Unlike 95% of those that post them daily.

Michael Wrona this was a bitter pill for me & many to swallow. Michael had been the announcer at Santa Anita for the past two years & appeared to be doing a fantastic job. He went in last week to discuss a new contract & was let go. Worst part is Tim Ritvo had already made a deal with another announcer before telling Michael he was getting let go. Michael made the stunning announcement via twitter ahead of the press release sent out by Santa Anita. I do feel awful the way this was handled but it’s the way the Stronach Group does business.

[v j stauffer]

https://wiretowindow.wordpress.com/2018/11/29/racetrack-announcers/amp/?__twitter_impression=true

Excerpt:


Over the past few days racetrack announcers have been quite the “hot topic” on horse twitter. Here’s the review, Vic Stauffer aka @goofongheroof selling his picks. Michael Wrona aka @Michael_Wrona got unceremoniously fired from Santa Anita. Frank Mirahmadi aka @FrankMirahmadi getting the job at Santa Anita. Last night Jimmy McNerney aka @JimmyMcNerney was accused by Ed DeRosa of TwinSpires for betting on a horse in a race that he called.

Will start with Vic Stauffer, he’s currently the announcer at Oaklawn & does a few shifts weekly with TVG. Last week Vic decided to start selling his picks, first with a money back guarantee. That lasted all of one day. Horse twitter has taken Vic over the coals with his “brainstorm” I have no feelings on what he’s doing. I do wonder what his employers think of this. TVG has it’s talent posting tickets all day everyday at least Vic would most likely be playing those tickets. Unlike 95% of those that post them daily.

Michael Wrona this was a bitter pill for me & many to swallow. Michael had been the announcer at Santa Anita for the past two years & appeared to be doing a fantastic job. He went in last week to discuss a new contract & was let go. Worst part is Tim Ritvo had already made a deal with another announcer before telling Michael he was getting let go. Michael made the stunning announcement via twitter ahead of the press release sent out by Santa Anita. I do feel awful the way this was handled but it’s the way the Stronach Group does business.

Where would I be without having Andy's advice as to how to manage my career?

[Andy Asaro]

Where would I be without having Andy's advice as to how to manage my career?

I didn't write the blog. I don't have a blog.

[v j stauffer]

I didn't write the blog. I don't have a blog.

I apologize. I told someone that and they said they were 100% sure you wrote it. My bad. Trust but verify.

[airford1]

Vic who you like in the 5th at Del Mar Saturday?

[airford1]

Vic who you like in the 5th at Del Mar Saturday?

My bad this is about Wrona.

[Redbullsnation]

My bad this is about Wrona.

Could've just PMed the guy instead. :D

[metro]

Beulah Park came up with a number of initiatives to drum up business on a woeful product. There was the creation of America Tab, which later was bought by CDI and turned into twinspires.com, there was also the Beulah Twins and then the 25 cent Fortune 6, the first Jackpot wager in the Continental US (those three items not necessarily in chronological order).


America Tab the first ADW I ever used. Signed up with them just to be able to bet Beulah Park on Monday's and Tuesday's when the local simulcast wasn't available. Outstanding customer service even back then. Hated to see that track close up shop, seemed there was always some bias going on there, especially in the dead of winter.

[airford1]

Could've just PMed the guy instead. :D

Duh. Vic just started to offer his pic's and I respect his Skills little more than mine and opened the door to a free ad.

[Zman179]

America Tab the first ADW I ever used. Signed up with them just to be able to bet Beulah Park on Monday's and Tuesday's when the local simulcast wasn't available. Outstanding customer service even back then. Hated to see that track close up shop, seemed there was always some bias going on there, especially in the dead of winter.

Oh geez! :D A looooong long time ago in a galaxy far, far away, I think my first internet ADW was with Youbet.com, then switched to America TAB when YB started getting crazy with wager fees. In fact, the twinspires.com pro interface resembles that of the old Youbet.

[spiketoo]

Actually interviewed with youbet back in the days. Think there were in woodland hills at the time. They were a disaster.

[Sea Hero]

Another stupid move by track management. I hope it bites them in the butt.

[dilanesp]

Actually interviewed with youbet back in the days. Think there were in woodland hills at the time. They were a disaster.

I always felt youbet was like Netscape taking on Microsoft. They were innovative, but in the end having the backing of industry bigwigs is necessary to succeed. TVG and xpressbet and Twin Spires had that.

[lefty359]

Mirahmadi is at Aqu right now but will start at SA next meet. He's okay but nowhere near the level of Wrona. Maybe Wrona will end up in NY.
Meanwhile that is Trevor Denman finishing up at Delmar...

[MooseDog]

Oh geez! :D A looooong long time ago in a galaxy far, far away, I think my first internet ADW was with Youbet.com, then switched to America TAB when YB started getting crazy with wager fees. In fact, the twinspires.com pro interface resembles that of the old Youbet.

Twinspires acquired YouBet in 2009.

[Zman179]

Twinspires acquired YouBet in 2009.

That’s correct and TwinSpires also bought America TAB. Big fish eat little fish.

[spiketoo]

Read BH headline that Rivoto gave an interview about stuff. Did he provide any intel on why this transpired?

[v j stauffer]

Read BH headline that Rivoto gave an interview about stuff. Did he provide any intel on why this transpired?

He did. Discussed it for about 2 mins towards the end of the interview. Nothing much different than the quotes he gave right after the change.

[Andy Asaro]

There was a huge dust up when Michael was made Announcer and it didn't sit well with some powerful people. This is just politics gone wrong IMO

and Frank is gonna be fine as well.

[spiketoo]

There was a huge dust up when Michael was made Announcer and it didn't sit well with some powerful people. This is just politics gone wrong IMO

and Frank is gonna be fine as well.

Hey Rona Barret, keep your gossip in your twit feed OK.

[Suff]

Generally if someone is the type of person that would bounce a check at the racetrack, I would like them more. Thats like an “up vote” to me.

[HorsemenHeist]

Generally if someone is the type of person that would bounce a check at the racetrack, I would like them more. Thats like an “up vote” to me.

or 3

[Scanman]

Just in case anyone is wondering, Mr. Wrona was calling races in Qatar yesterday: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wa6m4QNNmsU&feature=share

[ultracapper]

Thanks for that. I like Wrona.

What a wild video. Some real cool rail shots, the buildings around the outside of the facility are all stucco looking. No wood or steel or anything like you'd find in this part of the world. No tote board, just a big timer and clock and lots of Longines adverts. Trophy presentation was cool, getting their pictures taken one by one, and then the group photo.

I think it was the second guy to receive a trophy. Nice suit. Damn.

[rrpic6]

Takes some balls to apply for a job in Qatar.


RR

[barahona44]

Just in case anyone is wondering, Mr. Wrona was calling races in Qatar yesterday: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wa6m4QNNmsU&feature=share

Those rail shots at 0:33 and 0:41-0:42 look like something out of Hollywood. :cool:

[JustRalph]

Takes some balls to apply for a job in Qatar.


RR

Why? really ........

I have a brother in law that goes there on business and likes it

[cj]

Why? really ........

I have a brother in law that goes there on business and likes it

I think that mostly applies to people coming to work from third world countries.

[picojim]

https://twitter.com/Michael_Wrona/status/1157387606033780737

[theiman]

LA Times article says he will do the Los Al T-Bred meet in Dec(2 week meet)
Perhaps will do both next year.
Best announcer is back in So Cal.

[eddieb]

Michael will be the full-time announcer at Los Alamitos upon my retirement Dec. 15. So, he will call all night meetings along with the daytime thoroughbred days. I have known Michael for more than 20 years and he will certainly do a great job at Los Al.

[theiman]

Michael will be the full-time announcer at Los Alamitos upon my retirement Dec. 15. So, he will call all night meetings along with the daytime thoroughbred days. I have known Michael for more than 20 years and he will certainly do a great job at Los Al.

Thank you for all of the great years in So Cal, including the one year stint calling T-Breds at HP.
As Wrona said, big shoes to fill,

[dilanesp]

Michael will be the full-time announcer at Los Alamitos upon my retirement Dec. 15. So, he will call all night meetings along with the daytime thoroughbred days. I have known Michael for more than 20 years and he will certainly do a great job at Los Al.

I think he's basically the fourth QH announcer over about 50 years or so. Bobby Doyle, Terry Gilligan, you, and Wrona.

Almost as impressive as Del Mar, which has had three announcers over 81 years (Hernandez, Henson, Denman).

[Vinnie]

Mr. Burgart:

I have always loved your calls on the Quarters at Los Al. You will be greatly missed, but, I hope that you enjoy your retirement. :headbanger:

[woodbinepmi]

He was very good at calling the short necks at Retama back in the 90's. Glad for Michael.

[JustRalph]

Michael will be the full-time announcer at Los Alamitos upon my retirement Dec. 15. So, he will call all night meetings along with the daytime thoroughbred days. I have known Michael for more than 20 years and he will certainly do a great job at Los Al.

Finally pulled the trigger huh? Thanks for the fun........

Enjoy your retirement!

[thaskalos]

The 300-yard dashes are hardly the proper format for Wrona's wonderfully-entertaining racecalls, IMO.

[Tom]

Finally pulled the trigger huh? Thanks for the fun........

Enjoy your retirement!

Dittos that! Always thought you were in the top 10 announcers - real professional! :ThmbUp::ThmbUp::ThmbUp:

I truly believe you were a key part of getting LRC over the first season - you bridged the gap very nicely!


Enjoy your retirement - you earned it!

[GMB@BP]

Dittos that! Always thought you were in the top 10 announcers - real professional! :ThmbUp::ThmbUp::ThmbUp:

I truly believe you were a key part of getting LRC over the first season - you bridged the gap very nicely!


Enjoy your retirement - you earned it!

When I first got into racing back about 91ish I would watch the Los Al replays on my cable sports channel that for some reason always had replays from my local track (TuP), socal and Los Al. I remember thinking then, and now, how much better he made watching those quarter horse races even though I knew nothing about the race or the horses. Trevor had the same quality.

[Zman179]

Two great items, Ed going into his very well deserved retirement with his legacy firmly cemented in QH racing history and Michael working for a boss who can really appreciate his work. Not only that, but it’s steady, year-round work. The Holy Grail for announcers! Couldn’t be happier for both gentlemen.

[Redbullsnation]

Michael will be the full-time announcer at Los Alamitos upon my retirement Dec. 15. So, he will call all night meetings along with the daytime thoroughbred days. I have known Michael for more than 20 years and he will certainly do a great job at Los Al.


Happy Retirement, man. Los Alamitos won't be the same without you!! :)

[olddaddy]

The best handicapping I ever saw was when there was the Ed and Les show at Los Al.

[Cuffdaddy]

The best handicapping I ever saw was when there was the Ed and Les show at Los Al.

Jose Contreras (Los Ponies) is very solid and puts in a ton of work much like Les Onaka but with better value plays.

[JustRalph]

The best handicapping I ever saw was when there was the Ed and Les show at Los Al.

Amen!

[dilanesp]

Messier was "on thin ice" in the stretch in the Los Al Futurity.