Tag: People

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.

The post Q&A: Santa Anita Announcer Frank Mirahmadi Prepares For Second Breeders’ Cup appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.

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Jockeys Tyler Gaffalione and Luis Saez, who finished 1-2 in the rider standings during this year's Spring Meet, resumed their battle for top honors this fall. Gaffalione secured the lead on closing day for his fourth Fall Meet title and seventh overall.

Among Gaffalione's 25 wins were three stakes victories: the First Lady (G1) with Gina Romantica, the Hagyard Fayette (G2) with O'Connor (CHI) and the Myrtlewood with Youalmosthadme. He also posted a four-win day and two three-win days.

Saez finished second in the standings with 20 wins, including the Darley Alcibiades (G1) with Candied, the Perryville (L) with Raise Cain and the Bowman Mill with Glengarry.

Brad Cox scored three wins on Thursday to extend his lead in the final days of the meet and earn his fourth consecutive Fall Meet training title and fifth overall. Headlining his 13 wins were victories in the Juddmonte Spinster (G1) with Idiomatic and Myrtlewood with Youalmosthadme.

Chad Brown vaulted into second place with two wins on Oct. 27, including the Bank of America Valley View (G3) with Surge Capacity. He finished the meet with seven wins, saddling Gina Romantica and In Italian to run 1-2 in the First Lady.

Four trainers – Steve Asmussen, Chris Hartman, Todd Pletcher and Brendan Walsh – tied for third with six wins each. Pletcher won three stakes during the meet: the Darley Alcibiades with Candied, the Claiborne Breeders' Futurity (G1) with Locked and the Coolmore Turf Mile (G1) with Up to the Mark. Asmussen won the Indian Summer with Committee of One.

Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum's Godolphin and Richard Rigney's Rigney Racing tied for leading owner with four wins each. Godolphin captured its fourth leading owner title, boosted by wins in the Queen Elizabeth II Challenge Cup (G1) with Mawj (IRE) and the Sycamore (G3) with Bold Act (IRE). It is the first Keeneland owner title for Rigney Racing, who counted among its wins the Jessamine (G2) with Buchu.

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When trainer-turned-agent Ron Faucheux began planning for his first Fair Grounds Race Course & Slots meet wearing his new hat, he set out to find a second rider he could represent. He cast his line further than the waters of nearby Lake Pontchartrain all the way across the Atlantic Ocean. Who he landed will undoubtedly be a new name to many American racing fans, but those who follow international racing know that Faucheux caught a world-class rider in Ben Curtis.

Journeyman rider Ben Curtis has racked up over 1,000 wins, has had success in multiple countries, and is as deft across a turf course as he is across dirt and synthetic.

“He's got a big stick on him,” Faucheux said. “He's a well-rounded rider that gets the best from his horse. He's been the leading all-weather rider in England. Watching his races I know he can put a horse on the lead, he can get them a clean trip from all the way back. He's such an intelligent rider and a very strong rider, so he'll be able to handle anything that comes at him.”

With his father hailing from Arkansas, Curtis has dual-citizenship between the US and Ireland, making it easy for him to come over. Early in his career, he spent multiple winters working in Eddie Kenneally's barn prior to the advent of all-weather racing in Ireland.

“He's going to play it out and see what happens, see how the winter goes,” Faucheux said. “He's really excited–it's something that he has always wanted to do. When we talk I can tell he's fired up and his fire has got me excited.”

Curtis will have his work cut out for him competing against a jockey colony that includes two-time leading pilot Florent Geroux, last-year's winningest rider Rey Gutierrez, four-time title holder James Graham, and a perennial top-10 rider in Brian Hernandez Jr. Add to that two of the top riders in the history of the sport, as Deshawn Parker (over 6,100 wins) and Corey Lanerie (over 5,000 wins) both return for another season at Fair Grounds.

“I'll line up his workers, but I'm sure people will want to get to know him,” Faucheux said. “(Curtis) told me he's a jockey that's not afraid to work hard–whatever he's got to do in the mornings he's ready to do. That's always a huge plus when you've got a rider that really wants to be out there working in the morning.”

In 2020, Curtis secured the All Weather Championship, falling one win short of the record for most wins simply because Covid precautions ended the racing season seven weeks early. He finished fifth in the jockeys' championship that year, and went on to lead all British flats jockeys with 170 wins.

“I'll be watching my jockeys run,” Faucheux said. “Obviously it's different, but it doesn't feel as different as you would think just because my name isn't on the racing form. Winning races as an agent is more gratifying for me than as a trainer. I feel like I'm doing something for somebody, helping somebody out and being there for them is very gratifying.”

With 740 trips to the winner's circle, just shy of 24% lifetime, Faucheux iced his cake by winning the last three trainer's titles at Fair Grounds. In 2023 his 42 winners were five more than Bret Calhoun and Brad Cox.

“(Being an agent) is still hard work but it's not nearly the amount of work I was used to as a trainer,” Faucheux said. “Doing something different has energized me a bit. I want to be successful at this. I approach this the same way as I did as a trainer–I've set goals and I want to achieve them. It's been good. This summer I worked the Keeneland sale with Tom Amoss. I'm actively a consultant with Highland Training Center, so I've been able to gather up a couple things as well as being an agent. I'm enjoying it.”

Faucheux hung it up at the end of the 2022 – 2023 racing meet and immediately set to work representing Jose Luis Rodriguez.

A newcomer to not only Louisiana racing but the United States, Rodriguez immediately made his presence known, rocketing to the top of the Fair Grounds jockey standings and holding that position for five weeks. He finished the meet in 6th place with 35 wins.

“I think he's got the talent to repeat that kind of success, but it's up to me to accomplish that,” Faucheux said. “For a rider that came from Panama to the states to finish sixth in the standings in his first meet was an incredible accomplishment.”

Rodriguez is the son of Venezuelan jockey Jose Luis Rodriguez (celebrated as “El Pumita” by his many fans). Initially following in his father's footsteps and riding in his native country, Rodriguez moved to Panama and began building his reputation as a successful jockey.

“The people that have been riding him throughout the summer are very, very good Louisiana trainers and I look forward to that business translating into a strong Fair Grounds meet,” Faucheux said.

Since last March, the 32-year-old has been successful across the Louisiana circuit, winning 37 races from 246 mounts, including finishing sixth in the jockey standings at Evangeline Downs. The bigger barns Rodriguez has been consistently riding for include Keith Bourgeois, Sam David Jr., and Sturgis Ducoing.

As far as Faucheux's previous stable of horses goes, David Terre has taken over. Longtime assistant and a well-respected horseman across Louisiana's backsides, Terre's success over the past six months has followed a pattern familiar to Faucheux. Winless after saddling his first 34, since then Terre went 10 from 45 (22%).

“The worst month of the year for me was always the month of April, going into Evangeline once Fair Grounds was over,” Faucheux said. “You're competing against horses from Delta that are usually more fit than yours.”

Often referred to as “Mr. March” around Fair Grounds, Faucheux fought for his third title by winning 17 races in the final month of the 2022 – 2023 meet.

“Plus, I didn't leave him with too many conditions at the end of the Fair Grounds,” Faucheux said.

A smaller stable with around 20 Thoroughbreds, Terre still has stakes winners such as Allnight Moonlight, Kyle Beauty, Not On Herb, and Bertie's Galaxy.

Faucheux is also handling the book at Delta Downs for Chris Rosier, a veteran approaching 1,000 lifetime wins.

“I picked up Rosier maybe two months into the (Evangeline Downs) meet,” Faucheux said. “He's doing really good and is actually one year sober this week. I am going to keep him at Delta over the winter, and have the two riders over at Fair Grounds.”

In Ben Curtis and Jose Luis Rodriguez, Faucheux has a two-headed monster heading into his hometown meet. Though not in his name, Faucheux looks live for another title. In other words, not much has changed around New Orleans.

The post Fourth Title For Faucheux? Trainer-Turned-Agent Readies For Fair Grounds With Champion British Rider Ben Curtis appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.

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As the Director of Food Services at Tampa Bay Downs from 1996-2013, Richard “Dick” Toda tried to make the dining experience as memorable for patrons as the afternoon's racing action.

“We set our standards here as high as possible,” Toda said in a 2012 interview. “When somebody comes up to me and says 'I just had the greatest meal here,' I get a high from that.”

Toda, who also worked as the track's Director of Client Services from 2013-2019 and was on the board of the Tampa Bay Downs Division of the Race Track Chaplaincy of America, died peacefully Thursday at 85.

He is survived by his wife of 37 years, Lucille, and daughters Rene (Raffa) and her husband George; Lisa (Alexander) and her husband Mark; Michelle (Schultz) and her husband Brian; eight grandchildren; nine great-grandchildren; and a sister, Patricia (Di Giacobbe) and her husband Fred.

Toda was pre-deceased by two sons, Richard and Michael, and a grandson.

While it's accurate to say food was a lifelong passion for the Warren, Ohio native, Thoroughbred racing and its countless characters, as well as people in general, sparked a joie de vivre Toda shared with everyone he met.

“He was a gracious person who loved life and enjoyed being around all kinds of people,” Lucille said. “We traveled to about 17 European countries, and no one was a stranger to him.”

Toda also loved cooking gourmet meals for Lucille, specializing in Mediterranean dishes from France and Italy.

A graduate of Youngstown State (Ohio) University, Toda – who raced pigeons as a young man with his father, August Toda, Sr., and several uncles – owned five restaurants with Lucille in Tampa, including the downtown Ole Style Deli. Toda struck up a friendship in the early 1980s with Tampa attorney and racetrack owner Stella F. Thayer, who made it a habit to eat at the restaurant.

Thayer gave him a yearly pass to the races, and Toda tried attending every Saturday. He became good friends with Thayer's late husband, Bronson Thayer, as well, and when she decided to upgrade the racetrack's food service, it was a “no-brainer” who to call.

From the beginning, Toda placed an emphasis on quality, originality and friendliness, while seeking input from everyone from the $2 bettor to millionaire owners about what the track could do better.

“Dick came to Tampa Bay Downs to oversee and initiate the operation of food service for the racetrack and brought his expertise and friendly customer service for the benefit of all,” Thayer said. “All involved with Tampa Bay Downs mourn his passing and send condolences to his wife Lucy and his family.”

In his first two years at Tampa Bay Downs, the Skye Terrace kitchen was rebuilt and the Sports Gallery underwent a complete overhaul. His attention to detail helped to attract a diverse customer base, including late New York Yankees owner George Steinbrenner and prominent Thoroughbred owner Satish Sanan, both of whom sought Toda's company on their frequent visits to the Oldsmar oval.

Toda owned a few horses with Steinbrenner, who called him several times a week, picking his brain about the track's trainers and jockeys as well as seeking his opinions about baseball players.

Mostly, “we would talk about life,” Toda recalled. In 2001, he flew with Steinbrenner on the owner's Learjet to Saratoga to watch his homebred filly Dream Supreme compete in the Grade I Ballerina Handicap.

As a younger man, Toda played a high level of amateur tennis, and his love for the sport continued throughout life. He attended Wimbledon, the French Open at Stade Roland Garros and the U.S. Open. He entertained family and friends on the piano and was a cherished golf partner with a knack for making other players forget how difficult that sport was.

Through the (mostly) ups and downs, Lucille was his guiding light.

“Any time I've thought I can't,” he said in that 2012 interview, “she has been there to reaffirm 'Yes, you can.' She would never allow me not to do my best and has always been my inspiration.”

For many others, memories of Dick Toda will continue to inspire.

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