Race Announcers
Quote from Bgtolex25 on February 9, 2025, 9:19 PMAs we suffer through this snore of a Super Bowl, unless you are a true Eagles fan, my mind drifts back to horse racing. Specifically, the roll of race callers is of interest to me and maybe you. The announcer always left a lasting impression on me when I was young and eager to romanticize the action. I still remember the smooth, song like call of the announcer at the Union County, Ohio Fair in the 70’s and 80’s.
What makes a great caller from your perspective? Voice clarity, crispness and ability to rattle thru the action, inserting a strategic observation, and consistency, whether a Grand Circuit or $10 K claimer, are the items that resonate with me. The regular announcer at Mohawk is a current favorite. How about you?
As we suffer through this snore of a Super Bowl, unless you are a true Eagles fan, my mind drifts back to horse racing. Specifically, the roll of race callers is of interest to me and maybe you. The announcer always left a lasting impression on me when I was young and eager to romanticize the action. I still remember the smooth, song like call of the announcer at the Union County, Ohio Fair in the 70’s and 80’s.
What makes a great caller from your perspective? Voice clarity, crispness and ability to rattle thru the action, inserting a strategic observation, and consistency, whether a Grand Circuit or $10 K claimer, are the items that resonate with me. The regular announcer at Mohawk is a current favorite. How about you?
Quote from Lonnie on February 10, 2025, 1:08 PMSo well written. I am truly amazed at how Announcers memorize all the starters so quickly and think on their feet as the race unfolds to paint a picture that truly captures the excitement and mystique.
My favorite announcers include:
- Jack E. Lee
- Roger Houston
- John Bothe
- Carl Becker
So well written. I am truly amazed at how Announcers memorize all the starters so quickly and think on their feet as the race unfolds to paint a picture that truly captures the excitement and mystique.
My favorite announcers include:
- Jack E. Lee
- Roger Houston
- John Bothe
- Carl Becker
Quote from Bgtolex25 on February 10, 2025, 6:48 PMAnd like every mortal, skills wane with age. You have to know when to hang them up, especially if you are calling big time races. That is all that I am going to say about that. I like the current Meadows and Northfield announcers too. Barry Vicroy (spelling?) who does the Scioto/Dayton/Miami Valley circuit can be very good too, especially for the big races.
And like every mortal, skills wane with age. You have to know when to hang them up, especially if you are calling big time races. That is all that I am going to say about that. I like the current Meadows and Northfield announcers too. Barry Vicroy (spelling?) who does the Scioto/Dayton/Miami Valley circuit can be very good too, especially for the big races.
Quote from MaywoodAl on February 10, 2025, 7:20 PMMy favorites were, of course, the ones I listened to the most, Tony Salvaro and Phil Georgeff.
I am fine with all the current announcers I hear, except one of the Yonkers guys. Too hard for me to understand him.
Also, I am guessing same person as Bgtolex mentioned, I have to mute when he is subbing. Perhaps back in the day he was fine,(first time i heard him was about five years ago) just sounds like a carnival barker to me.
My favorites were, of course, the ones I listened to the most, Tony Salvaro and Phil Georgeff.
I am fine with all the current announcers I hear, except one of the Yonkers guys. Too hard for me to understand him.
Also, I am guessing same person as Bgtolex mentioned, I have to mute when he is subbing. Perhaps back in the day he was fine,(first time i heard him was about five years ago) just sounds like a carnival barker to me.
Quote from Lonnie on February 10, 2025, 9:02 PMQuote from MaywoodAl on February 10, 2025, 7:20 PMMy favorites were, of course, the ones I listened to the most, Tony Salvaro and Phil Georgeff.
I am fine with all the current announcers I hear, except one of the Yonkers guys. Too hard for me to understand him.
Also, I am guessing same person as Bgtolex mentioned, I have to mute when he is subbing. Perhaps back in the day he was fine,(first time i heard him was about five years ago) just sounds like a carnival barker to me.
Oh, the current Yonkers announcer sounds like he's got marbles in his mouth. Terrible. But again, so is that track now.
Quote from MaywoodAl on February 10, 2025, 7:20 PMMy favorites were, of course, the ones I listened to the most, Tony Salvaro and Phil Georgeff.
I am fine with all the current announcers I hear, except one of the Yonkers guys. Too hard for me to understand him.
Also, I am guessing same person as Bgtolex mentioned, I have to mute when he is subbing. Perhaps back in the day he was fine,(first time i heard him was about five years ago) just sounds like a carnival barker to me.
Oh, the current Yonkers announcer sounds like he's got marbles in his mouth. Terrible. But again, so is that track now.
Quote from Lonnie on February 10, 2025, 10:17 PMQuote from MaywoodAl on February 10, 2025, 9:43 PMI don't watch Yonkers every night, but it seems to be rotating announcers.
They just don't seem to care.
Quote from MaywoodAl on February 10, 2025, 9:43 PMI don't watch Yonkers every night, but it seems to be rotating announcers.
They just don't seem to care.
Quote from factlaw on February 18, 2025, 10:02 AMI don’t watch Yonkers, but speaking of Yonkers I happened to watch a Cal Expo race last Saturday night (the sixth) when the announcer broke into a Bullet Bob Meyer impersonation (!?!). Like the impersonations Larry Lederman used to do with lots of announcers (he was great, very entertaining).
I don’t watch Yonkers, but speaking of Yonkers I happened to watch a Cal Expo race last Saturday night (the sixth) when the announcer broke into a Bullet Bob Meyer impersonation (!?!). Like the impersonations Larry Lederman used to do with lots of announcers (he was great, very entertaining).