Michael Wrona ‏

[onefast99]

Private investor bought it.

[HalvOnHorseracing]

Originally Posted by Holybull1

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]

Originally Posted by ReplayRandall

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

https://twitter.com/JoeyWhitford/sta...83469700816897

https://twitter.com/DelMarkid12/stat...91282598580234

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]

Originally Posted by v j stauffer

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]

Originally Posted by ronsmac

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]

Originally Posted by JustRalph

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]

Originally Posted by thaskalos

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]

Originally Posted by 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.

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

[papillon]

Originally Posted by Fuss

That made me belly laugh!




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..

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]

Originally Posted by thaskalos

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]

Originally Posted by ReplayRandall

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.