Frank Mirahmadi, a fan for life and a full-time race caller for 27 years, will be behind the microphone at Santa Anita for his second round with the Breeders' Cup World Championships on Friday and Saturday. Although he won't be the voice of the Breeders' Cup on NBC, he'll be in his regular role for all races entertaining and informing on-track fans and those around the country tuned to Santa Anita's simulcast signal.
A Los Angeles native, Mirahmadi, 58, who became the primary voice of Saratoga Race Course this past summer, is finishing up his fifth season as the full time voice of Santa Anita. Well-traveled, Mirahmadi took a circuitous route to his current position. He began in 1996 at Hialeah Park and has called at various tracks across America including Oaklawn Park, Monmouth Park, Louisiana Downs, Golden Gate Fields, and the Northern California fairs.
As he approaches the 40th annual Breeders' Cup with the enthusiasm of a newcomer, the following question-and-answer session was conducted between races on Saturday in the same Santa Anita announcer's booth that was occupied for so many decades by the likes of Joe Hernandez, Chic Anderson, Dave Johnson, and Trevor Denman.
Q. Frank, we're just a few days away from what is racing's Super Bowl, the Breeders' Cup World Championships. Your general thoughts going into the event?
A. Well, it's obviously the most exciting time of the year. It's huge for Santa Anita, it's huge for our fans and it's huge for racing. Having experienced it once as the announcer here in 2019 was certainly the highlight of my career. To have that experience under my belt certainly makes me more comfortable going into this year's edition. For me, there's nothing short of the immense excitement looking at these races and looking forward to describing them and do what I do on a daily basis, which is to celebrate winners.
Q. Frank, to draw a general sports comparison, there's a consensus of opinion here in town that what hurt the Dodgers in their playoff flameout this year more than anything else, was the fact they sat idle for five days after clinching their division. That won't be the case with Frank Mirahmadi, as we're going to be running a full card this Thursday, a day in front of the Breeders' Cup.
A. I feel great about running this Thursday and about everything, really. I feel like I'm on my game and that's very important every day and every race. Over the years, I like the racing cards that lead into the Breeders' Cup, regardless of the venue. There's always a lot of excitement because friends are coming into town. I have several friends that I haven't seen in a long time and I want to be able to take time to visit them…to see some of the horsemen and some of the connections. There's a lot of anticipation. If you look at social media, it's all about the Breeders' Cup, the final works, the preparations, the nervousness. I think we all feel those same emotions. We're trying to put on the show and the horses, the jockeys, the trainers and the owners are all right in the thick of it.
Q. Frank, we've got a big load of international shippers this year. We expect 59 international horses, including nine from Japan, to run over the two-days. That alone makes this event a big challenge for any announcer, but with all the 2-year-old races on Friday and many of them never having run here before, would you agree Breeders' Cup Day One might be tougher than Classic Day, Saturday?
A. Day One was certainly tougher here in 2019, I can say that. If it was a horse race, I probably broke half a step slowly because we had full fields, new horses…But in the end, I just try to take it race by race and study as hard as possible. The tougher part about the international horses is the pronunciation of their names. It's important to have all of that straightened out (in advance). It's all about focus and letting the race develop. The key for me is to keep my eyes open and to let the people know what I see. You know, Trevor Denman told me when I got this job, 'Open your eyes and tell them what you see.' It's the most simple advice, but it's actually the best advice someone can give…Ultimately, you just have to wait for things to develop and hope to have the right words and preparation to deliver the story for the fans.
Q. How does your preparation for the Breeders' Cup compare to what you do the rest of the year?
A . No question, preparation is hugely important anytime. It's a responsibility to tell the story properly and the Breeders' Cup is the culmination of campaigns and it's where championships are decided. It's very important to be prepared and to be aware of all the storylines in play going in. I'm not one to pre-script calls. I don't like contrived calls, but at the same time, it's important to be prepared. If you look at the great Breeders' Cup calls in history, you can't say that sentence without mentioning Tom Durkin's unbelievable descriptions of most of the Breeders' Cup races, dating back to 1984 at Hollywood Park…You don't want to overdo it, but as an announcer, you want to be able to have the words to describe the situation that's developing…When you think about Tom's call after 911 in the Classic when he said 'Tiznow wins it for America,' that was a perfect statement for that time. And when Sunday Silence and Easy Goer met in 1989, it was obvious that was the storyline…You have to prepare. You have to know all the pedigree lines, all the connections and the implications for championships that could very well be decided on that particular race.
Q. Frank, it's been an incredible year for you. It's your fifth year as The Guy here at Santa Anita and you experienced your first summer as the full-time announcer at Saratoga. How does it feel to be essentially ending your year on an absolute crescendo?
A. These are the big days. This is what it's all about. The Breeders' Cup at Santa Anita, there is nothing that's bigger than that in our game. You look over the history and some of the big races that have taken place here…It's really an honor and a privilege and a great responsibility. I try to also take a moment to enjoy the blessing that this opportunity has presented to me. It's important to be focused, to be serious and to also have some fun. In the end, it's enjoying the successes of others on the track. My job is to do my best to celebrate with them. By doing that and by having that attitude, I think it helps me enjoy the experience immensely.
Q. Larry Colmus will again be calling all of the Breeders' Cup races on national television and on NBC, but I think our fans need to know that you'll calling all of the races as well for those attending on-track and for those following our simulcast presentation.
A. It's a tradition that the on-track announcer calls for the on-track audience and I'm very thankful for that. I know that a lot of people are excited to hear me call and that means the world to me. I've met a lot of fans and I like to interact with them. They know I'm a racing fan and I love to talk about racing and to share the joy I'm having in this sport with others…Some of my closest friends are going to be on-track. My mom will be watching at home like she always does. It's a big moment for me and I don't take it lightly…I think as I've gotten older, I've become much more comfortable in this environment…I said it many years ago, in 2014 or 2015, that I wasn't going to let the mountains intimidate but rather, to invigorate. If you think too much about (the scope of the assignment), it can overwhelm you. The key is to just keep the blinkers on.
Q. As a fan or professionally, is there one Breeders' Cup race that stands out from the rest?
A . I guess the one that really has to stand out to me was Tiznow in 2000 and I think it was because I had called the Super Derby at Louisiana Downs, which was won by Tiznow. Fast forward to November and I had been invited to Churchill Downs by (the late) Luke Kruytbosch to be a part of All Star Announcer Day the day before the Breeders' Cup Classic…That day was one of the greatest days of my life and one that I'll always cherish. And then the next day, the Super Derby winner, the Cal-bred, Tiznow…That beast showed up at Churchill and I lost my voice screaming for him to beat Giant's Causeway…I just still remember Chris McCarron after the race waving his arms with those pink sleeves and at that point, I knew Tiznow had won and it was a moment that will live with me forever.
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