Nick Tammaro Named Track Announcer At Sam Houston Race Park

Sam Houston Race Park is pleased to announce that Nick Tammaro will assume the role of track announcer when the 2022 live racing season gets underway on Jan. 6. The Houston native will call races for the 50-day Thoroughbred live racing season as well as the 25-day Quarter Horse meet, which runs from April 22-June 18.

Tammaro, 37, has been a racing fan since childhood, making his first trip to Fair Grounds in New Orleans with his father when he was just six. He attended races at Trinity Meadows regularly growing up in the Dallas area and was hooked on the game by the time he went to the 1993 Belmont Stakes. He has been involved in the racing industry for over 13 years as public handicapper, speed figure maker and odds maker. His handicapping skills have earned him eight trips to the National Handicapping Challenge in Las Vegas as well as a top 5 finish in the Breeders' Cup Betting Challenge.

Born in Houston, Tammaro has been an enthusiastic supporter of Sam Houston Race Park for over two decades.

“I was there the second day that Sam Houston opened in 1994,” said Tammaro. “I have always loved horseracing; it's in my blood and I still feel the excitement every time I walk into the track.”

He credits track announcer Travis Stone for giving him the opportunity to call his first race at Louisiana Downs twelve years ago. When Sam Houston Race Park's previous announcer Chris Griffin departed for Parx, Tammaro was given the opportunity to call races for six weeks during the Quarter Horse season.

“It was a lot of fun and I am excited to join the fraternity of announcers,” he added. “Racing is on the upswing at Sam Houston Race Park and the sky is blue as we head into 2022.”

Tammaro, who earned in B.A. at the University of Dallas and M.B.A. at the University of Houston, resides in Pearland, a growing suburb south of downtown. He and his wife, Norma, are proud parents of a 2-year-old daughter, Alessandra.

“Nick has been a part of the Sam Houston Race Park team for many years as our morning-line oddsmaker and guest handicapper,” said Sam Houston Race Park's Senior Director of Racing Operations Frank Hopf. “He did a tremendous job calling races during our Quarter Horse meet. His passion for the sport of horseracing is contagious and will be a major asset to our team.”

Sam Houston Race Park's 2021 live racing season ended on Aug. 7 and officials reported that handle numbers, previously announced following the Thoroughbred meet, continued on a high note throughout the 42-day Quarter Horse racing season.

2021 Total: $26,641,427 42 Days $619,568 Average per Day

2019 Total: $9,012,707 20 Days $450,635 Average per Day

“We were pleased to see the increases in handle continue into our Quarter Horse meet,” said Sam Houston Race Park's General Manager Dwight Berube. “Our goal heading into 2021 was to offer a quality racing program for both breeds. We are grateful for the support from our horsemen and women as well our loyal horseplayers who responded strongly to our industry-low takeouts and full complement of wagering opportunities.”

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Letter to the Editor: In Appreciation of Mattress Mack

by Nick Tammaro

Marketing. Promotion. Advertising. Those are words that are often kicked around boardrooms and offices throughout the world. For “Mattress Mack” they are the fundamental elements of a business that has been successful for four decades. For the people whose lives he's touched, and they are innumerable, he means everything.

My personal involvement in racing is vast, but I've long considered myself a student of the game. I handicap, play the races, make speed figures, participate in contests, appear on radio and occasionally on TV.

A few weeks ago as I sat at my desk, which incidentally was delivered the same day I bought it at Gallery Furniture, I received a phone call. The man on the other end was none other than Mattress Mack. As much as my heart still flutters when Andy Beyer calls me, I was equally stunned to hear the thundering tones of a voice I'd heard for years telling me and my fellow Houstonians that he would save us money. In short order, he explained to me that he had an idea for a furniture promotion and needed some assistance.

Armed with a new task, I feverishly prepared a spreadsheet with the desired info. I honestly had no idea what a $2-3 million bet would do to the Kentucky Derby win pool. With the assistance of a far sharper compatriot, I had the information. I returned the phone call and delivered it to Mack. Days later, promos appeared on TV and radio around the nation's fourth largest city. If you spent more than $3,000 at Gallery on a mattress, you were getting a full refund if the favorite won the Derby. The promotion was ingenious. In a day and age where inventory is limited, he would not only move a desired product, but a host of new viewers were set to lock in for the greatest two minutes in sports.

As the Derby neared, we continued to talk strategy. There were moving parts that included how much liability Mack would try to cover with his wager. How and where he'd bet were discussed, and at what price might the favorite go off was a concern. Things went perfectly pre-race. Mack's four separate wagers went into the pool without having a dramatic effect on the odds. In fact, Essential Quality's odds drifted up shortly before post time.

Regardless of the outcome, the attention that the largest wager in Kentucky Derby history brought the game is significant. That attention stretches beyond the wagerer's individual interests. Since Mack's bet was made on track, Kentucky horsemen will benefit with the maximum yield possible to the purse account. The bet was discussed on social media, television, and beyond.

Mack has poured millions into advertising in racing. We have all chuckled at the frequency with which we see the name “Runhappy.” But think for a second about what that has facilitated. Race sponsorships and television broadcasts such as the fabulous “America's Day at the Races” exist, at least in part, for that reason. Mack regaled me with tales of Runhappy's career like a proud father.

Make no mistake, Mack has always “walked the walk.” His desire is for the game that he loves to flourish. He has always put his money where his mouth is and will continue to be a leading voice on wagering advancements, medication policy changes, integrity measures and more.

Houstonians will tell you that Mack is the man we rely on when we are in need. He has provided shelter and comfort from wind, rain, cold, and fire. We know that Mack loves us, as he does everyone that has crossed his path. Let us celebrate him and continue to let his voice resonate in our game. They'll never make another one like him.

Nick Tammaro is a horseplayer from Houston who became acquainted with Mattress Mack as a Gallery Furniture customer.  Upon saying the word “Runhappy” their mutual passion for racing formed an immediate bond.

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Thoroughbred Idea Foundation Forms Wagering And Integrity Issues Steering Committee

The Thoroughbred Idea Foundation (TIF) announced Tuesday the formation of the Wagering and Integrity Issues Steering Committee, which will include members from its current directors and beyond. This panel will guide TIF's approach to advocating for change within North American racing's wagering operations and topics related to improving integrity on behalf of all racing participants, but specifically horseplayers.

The members of the Wagering and Integrity Issues Steering Committee are:

Michael Beychok
Amy Brantley
Marshall Gramm (TIF Board)
Candice Hare
Jonathon Kinchen
Mike Maloney
Paul Matties (TIF Board)
Tom Reynolds (TIF Board)
Nick Tammaro
Maury Wolff

“Issues related to wagering and integrity impact all stakeholders in racing and there has been little evolution on this front in the face of major industry consolidation over the last two decades. We have assembled a tremendous group to help advance our work and I am thankful that they see the value in our vision, the past two years of advocacy, and want to help us spur action on these matters across the industry,” said Patrick Cummings, TIF Executive Director.

TIF also announced the addition of Michael Levy to its Board of Directors. Levy is the founder and president of Muirfield Insurance, a full-service equine insurance agency based in Lexington, Kentucky. Along with wife Meg, they own and operate Bluewater Farm and Bluewater Sales.

Throughout his career, Levy has served on a variety of industry boards, including the American Graded Stakes Committee, Breeders' Cup and Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders Association.

“Mike brings a lifetime of experience to our board, and with it, a willingness to think outside-the-box. He is keenly aware of the challenges of racing's business model as an owner-breeder and is also an avid horseplayer. We are fortunate to have his support,” said TIF founder and board chairman Craig Bernick.

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