John Imbriale

[v j stauffer]

Originally Posted by Tee

So current ineptitude is okay because of past proficiency?

Making a mistake isn't ineptitude.

It's making a mistake.

All announcers make them.

[v j stauffer]

Originally Posted by PaceAdvantage

Unless Tom Durkin is back calling races at NYRA in his prime, announcers don't mean much of anything to me...at all...period

Durkin was the best of the best IMO...haven't seen anyone else who could touch him with a ten foot pole...so...it doesn't really matter to me who is calling races at NYRA.

Johnny I, in my opinion, doesn't make or break anything for me. He's been with NYRA FOREVER...and I mean forever...so good for him...glad NYRA is giving him the chance to be the top dog at the top meet these past couple of seasons.

He deserves it for his loyalty all these years.

And again, IMO, he's good enough and doesn't deserve some of the comments in this thread.

Especially considering there is no Tom Durkin out there who could replace him.

SHARP POST

[craigbraddick]

No matter how accomplished you are you are only ever as good as your last call.

I think many announcers do not realize they are in a customer service role. You owe it the horseplayers to give the best race call you possibly can each and every time.

[PaceAdvantage]

Originally Posted by craigbraddick

No matter how accomplished you are you are only ever as good as your last call.

I think many announcers do not realize they are in a customer service role. You owe it the horseplayers to give the best race call you possibly can each and every time.

They all are...unfortunately, they are all also human.

Too bad some people in this thread (not you) aren't...

[dilanesp]

That really wasn't a very good stretch call in a short field on national TV today in the Whitney.

End of the day it doesn't matter who calls the races, but there are probably 20 announcers who would have done a better job with this one.

[Peter Berry]

Originally Posted by dilanesp

That really wasn't a very good stretch call in a short field on national TV today in the Whitney.

End of the day it doesn't matter who calls the races, but there are probably 20 announcers who would have done a better job with this one.

I’ve never been in the announcer’s booth at Saratoga but I’ve heard it is quite unforgiving.

[JustRalph]

Originally Posted by dilanesp

That really wasn't a very good stretch call in a short field on national TV today in the Whitney.

End of the day it doesn't matter who calls the races, but there are probably 20 announcers who would have done a better job with this one.

What the heck was he supposed to say differently?

A much the best horse veered in a little, his stable-mate veered out but they were never that close. Not much to say if you ask me……

[v j stauffer]

Originally Posted by craigbraddick

No matter how accomplished you are you are only ever as good as your last call.

I think many announcers do not realize they are in a customer service role. You owe it the horseplayers to give the best race call you possibly can each and every time.

Boy is that some happy horseshit.

You're only as good as your last call?

Anyone that's ever done this job has botched a race call.

It's doesn't define who they are or their body of work.

I've NEVER once met an announcer, and I've met hundreds, that doesn't understand they work in a customer service capacity.

I've never met an announcer that doesn't try to do their VERY BEST on each and every race call.

[v j stauffer]

Originally Posted by Peter Berry

I’ve never been in the announcer’s booth at Saratoga but I’ve heard it is quite unforgiving.

It's by far the toughest booth I've ever seen. Blind spot on the first turn.

Desperately low making it very hard to see when stacked up wide around the far turn.

Very close to the track making depth perception though the lane extremely difficult.

[Jeff P]

Question for the track announcers out there or anyone more familiar with Saratoga than I am:

I visited Yavapai (now Arizona Downs) in 2009 and spent a couple of racecards with then track announcer Greg 'Boomer' Wry.

He was outfitted with a remote mic allowing him to call races from pretty much anywhere on the grounds.

Would this be possible at Saratoga if a track announcer were willing?


-jp

.

[cj]

"The 1/4 went in 26 seconds, so it's a slow pace."

Johnny I during a 6.5f dirt race today.

[v j stauffer]

Originally Posted by Jeff P

Question for the track announcers out there or anyone more familiar with Saratoga than I am:

I visited Yavapai (now Arizona Downs) in 2009 and spent a couple of racecards with then track announcer Greg 'Boomer' Wry.

He was outfitted with a remote mic allowing him to call races from pretty much anywhere on the grounds.

Would this be possible at Saratoga if a track announcer were willing?


-jp

.

A wireless mic could allow an announcer to go pretty much wherever they chose.

However there are lot's of reasons why staying in the booth is important.

Calls from the Stewards, Jocks Room, Publicity, Marketing.

A dry, windless workspace is also important.

Most tracks try their best to give the announcer a good vantage point.

Some others, photo finish, placing, Stewards do get dibs on being closer to the finish line than the caller.

I asked both Larry and Tom if they thought about asking for a better spot.

Both replied hey it's the SPA I'm just happy to be there. I certainly get that.

I will say the piling on Johnny I in this thread is hard to read.

I choose to rejoice in the great racing.

[craigbraddick]

Originally Posted by v j stauffer

Boy is that some happy horseshit.

You're only as good as your last call?

Anyone that's ever done this job has botched a race call.

It's doesn't define who they are or their body of work.

I've NEVER once met an announcer, and I've met hundreds, that doesn't understand they work in a customer service capacity.

I've never met an announcer that doesn't try to do their VERY BEST on each and every race call.

Vic:

Sir Peter O'Sullevan told me that. His words have slightly more weight on the subject of race calling than yours do. When I say slightly, I am being polite. I mean immensely. You are famous for being the voice of Hollywood Park - he was famous for calling races for BBC Television from 1948-1997. Called every Royal Ascot for half a century, the Epsom Derby from 1954-1977, the 1,000 and 2,000 Guineas from 1950-1970, the Cheltenham Gold Cup from 1955-1991, the Grand National from 1948 on Radio and then on Television from 1960-1997, the Arc from 1954-1985...I could continue, but I think I have made my point.

Everyone has indeed botched a race call. It goes with the job.

I never said it defines their body of work. But your statement is such a straw man, I am wondering if you will be the first racecaller at Lord Summerisle Downs opening next year off the coast of Scotland.

The number of racecallers you have met does not lend credence to your argument.

I have definitely met race callers who do not try their VERY BEST on each and every race call and have largely become bored with the job except on big race days when their game rises to the occasion.

[mountainman]

Vic does so many things so very well that it is nearly incomprehensible. And calling IS his specialty.

[mountainman]

Originally Posted by Jeff P

Question for the track announcers out there or anyone more familiar with Saratoga than I am:

I visited Yavapai (now Arizona Downs) in 2009 and spent a couple of racecards with then track announcer Greg 'Boomer' Wry.

He was outfitted with a remote mic allowing him to call races from pretty much anywhere on the grounds.

Would this be possible at Saratoga if a track announcer were willing?


-jp

.

Hi, jeff...dig me some boomer. Wrote a blurb for his book. Great dude.