It's not every day you get to meet a famous track announcer, let alone one who has called the Kentucky Derby, the Breeders' Cup and a Triple Crown. But you can now at Del Mar.
Collmus Call for CARMA is in full swing this fall. It's the opportunity for fans to sit in with Del Mar track announcer Larry Collmus while he calls a race. The special event raises money for CARMA, the California Retirement Management Account, a non-profit that provides funding for the rehabilitation, retraining and/or retirement of California-raced Thoroughbred horses.
For $100 fans get a stretch run box seat, track admission and a racing program. Plus they get to meet and greet Collmus and actually stand in the announcer's booth on top of the grandstand while he calls the third race of the day. It's a unique experience for any race fan.
Tracy and Chris Corner of Woodside, a small horse community up in the Bay Area, took advantage of the opportunity Saturday. Since Collmus called the races at Golden Gate Fields and the fair circuit for four years, the three swapped stories about the mule races held at Pleasanton.
“It's cool for us to meet Larry,” Chris gives as their reason for participating in Collmus Call for CARMA. “Larry Collmus called the American Pharoah Triple Crown. I was waiting for that Triple Crown forever. But also we were very attracted to fact that this is for CARMA. The money doesn't matter because I like where it's going. It's going back to where it should, to the horses.”
The Corners said the experience was everything they hoped for.
“We will do this again if you guys keep doing this,” Chris says, “Del Mar is our favorite because of everything you do here. Last night we walked to dinner in our sandals in November. Any kind of benefit that Del Mar comes up with that gives the money to aftercare, and it's something fun like this, would be something we would continue to do.”
Collmus for CARMA was actually Larry Collmus' idea.
“We did this at Saratoga when I was calling there,” Collmus says. “I thought it would be a great idea to bring it here and it seems like it's working out well.”
Collmus says he loves the interaction with the fans.
“I've always enjoyed meeting different people,” he says. “Sometimes you get people who don't go to the track that often. Then you have this couple (the Corners) who are more familiar with racing. I think it's great to have people come up (to his booth). Obviously it's for a terrific cause and hopefully we can keep people coming.”
It's easy to be a part of a Collmus Call for CARMA. Just contact the Del Mar ticket office at dmtc.com/tickets or call 858-792-4242
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