Johnson is seeking compensatory and exemplary damages as well as equitable relief. The suit was filed in the Supreme Court of the State of New York, County of New York.

The allegations revolve around a show that aired on Nov. 9, 2022, which was the eighth episode of Season Five of 'The Crown'. The episode includes the storyline of how and when Queen Elizabeth II became interested in horse racing. On the show, she is shown watching races broadcast on satellite television. According to the lawsuit, the broadcast of the races includes Johnson's voice and his call of the 1995 GI Travers S. as well as other examples where Johnson's voice is used.

“Dave Johnson's actual voice, which is synonymous with horse racing in the United States at that period of time, is being used and is clearly audible and immediately recognizable,” the suit charges.

“Mr. Johnson is very proud of his body of work as the voice of American horse racing and as such has an interest in the unauthorized use of same without his permission,” said Johnson's lawyer, Drew Mollica. “His historic call of the 1995 Travers played an important role in Episode 8 of 'The Crown' during Season 5 and was used without his permission and he seeks compensation. The complaint speaks for itself.”

Johnson has been careful to protect his brand and has sued others who have used his catchphrase “And Down the Stretch They Come,” which he has trademarked, without his authorization. In all cases, whenever Johnson has prevailed in a lawsuit he has donated his compensation to a racing related charity. Beneficiaries of Johnson's donations have included New York's Backstretch Employee Service Team, Churchill Downs' Backside Learning Center and various scholarships including the University of Arizona's Racetrack Industry Program and Southern Illinois University, as well as donations he has made to benefit disabled jockeys.

According to Netflix's own numbers. 'The Crown's' “fifth season was viewed for 107.39 million hours following its premier” and Episode Eight had a production cost of approximately $13 million. According to the complaint, in 2022 Netflix Entities garnered a total revenue from its video streaming platform that amounted to approximately $31.6 billion and that “a substantial portion of that revenue is attributable to the sale, rental, and streaming success of 'The Crown', including Season Five, Episode Eight.”

“As a proximate result of All Defendants acts and/or omissions, All Defendants, individually, collectively and acting on concert, have invaded Dave Johnson's statutory right to privacy, misappropriated his persona and voice, and have profited at Dave Johnson's expense…” the lawsuit charges.

Johnson called the GI Kentucky Derby for ABC Sports from 1978 to 1980 and from 1987 to 2000. He called the GI Preakness S. and the GI Belmont S. from 1987 to 2000. He also served as the head announcer at, among others, the NYRA tracks, the Meadowlands, Santa Anita Park and Hialeah Park. He is currently the co-host of the “Down the Stretch” show on Sirius XM radio.

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Dani Jackson works for William Hill as a TV host and greyhound racing commentator, and she is often seen on Racing Post social media videos previewing top greyhound races. Recently, Dani has also auditioned with Racetech in the UK for a position as a race caller.

In June, Jackson responded to a Tweet from Craig Braddick saying that if there were any aspiring female race callers out there who could show they could do the job, he would be happy to have them come to Turf Paradise.

“I never thought in a million years that Tweet would bring Dani over to Turf Paradise all the way from the UK,” Braddick said. “But as soon as I heard her practice race calls from tracks in the UK, I knew she was a talent that deserved an opportunity, and I am really looking forward to her taking the microphone at Turf Paradise. I think racing fans everywhere are going to be very impressed with her skills!”

Jackson said she has been practicing calling live races at Turf Paradise off the monitor in preparation for her visit.

“I have got to know many of the horses and the jockey silks as well as the way the track plays,” said Jackson. “Craig has been tremendously encouraging – critical when needed but always challenging me to do better. I am really looking forward to calling the races at Turf Paradise next week.”

Braddick and Jackson will split race calling duties, and one day Jackson will call the entire card. Jackson will also be previewing races on the simulcast feed when the horses are in the paddock.

“Turf Paradise continues to attract horseplayers not only from the United States but also around the world,” Braddick said. “In fact, many people may say after Dani has been here, I am only the second-best British race caller Turf Paradise has had!”

The post Turf Paradise: Guest Race Caller Dani Jackson Will Share The Mic With Craig Braddick Next Week appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.

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“I have never missed a day's racing in 50 years and now I have had to miss racing two years in a row because of the virus and this freak accident,” Denman said. “I am devastated, but this is completely out of my control.”

Del Mar will call on John Lies to handle the three days that Collmus will be away.

The post Collmus Steps in for Denman at Del Mar appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

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Saturday, Chris Griffin will call his first Pennsylvania Derby as the new voice of Parx Racing. He was hired on March 24.

“Trying to replace a legend like Keith Jones and coming here, it's been a seven-year ride for me,” Griffin said. “I have to pinch myself a little bit because I take a look at the rundown of the fields and these are serious racehorses that we have. It takes a lot of memorizing and a lot of studying, and just trying to stay relaxed. With two one-million-dollar races, it's just exciting, and it's a good time to be here.”

“Keith Jones is still texting me and giving me a shout,” he said. “He's like, “are you excited? Are you nervous?” I'm pretty much like all of that Keith. You try to relax the best you can. It's going to feel like a different day no matter what, but were excited. Its big racing, big horses with 13 races on the card. You look at a race like this (Pennsylvania Derby), and these are the best horses in the country, and to be here for these races I'm humbled by it because I get to call the action,” added Griffin.

As a fresh face among those who ply their trade announcing races from atop racetracks in what is considered one of the toughest jobs in racing, the Santa Monica, Calif. native's journey to the booth began far west of Bensalem, Penn.

“I started out at the Humboldt County Fair and got an opportunity there to call races after my stint being the voice of the Harlem Globetrotters,” said Griffin. “Sam Houston was a great experience for me to try and catch some Grade 3 races and try to build up the resume a little bit. Then when this opportunity came up, I got lucky. I popped in and here we are.”

Saturday will be the biggest day of racing at this point in Griffin's young career. The work and preparation that announcers put into a long, stakes filled day can vary depending on the experience as well as the certain challenges that can arise.

“I don't try and change the mechanics too much,” Griffin said. “I think if you start thinking about it a little too much you kind of psyche yourself out a little bit. I looked at the fields, and the two-year-old races are a little tougher because there's first time starters, and you don't really know them.”

“There are silks that I'm familiar with from the local connections, and that'll help me color in the program. I like to color in the program the night before the big race. You pretty much know now who's in what post position and who is where, but the only thing I can't prepare for is what happens during a race. The unexpected can always happen. You have to be prepared for it, but you can't prepare for it … if that makes sense.”

Griffin went on to say, “We haven't run a ton of mile and an eighth (Pennsylvania Derby distance) races on the main track since I've been here so that will be a little bit different. We definitely didn't have a mile and a half here like the Greenwood Cup, so some of the distances will be a little bit different, but other than that I treat it as another racing day here at Parx. We have a tremendous TV crew and staff and everybody is working hard to put things in place. At that point I want to be done by 9 am on Saturday morning and just jump in the booth and be like alright here we go.”

Racing can be a small world at times, and on Saturday, Griffin and Trainer Doug O'Neill, who will saddle 8-5 morning-line favorite Hot Rod Charlie in the Pennsylvania Derby, share a common bond which began 2,735 miles from Bensalem.

“It's so funny, Doug and I go way back,” said Griffin. “I was probably in my twenties running around and somebody told me that Doug O'Neill went to St. Monica's. I said, 'I went to St. Monica's,' which is a high school in Santa Monica, a private school, maybe six-hundred students or something like that.

“Doug had gone there before me. I went and tapped him on the shoulder, and was like, 'hey Doug O'Neill, I heard you went to St. Monica's, I'm Chris Griffin, I went there.' He was like 'Oh I know you. You were the quarterback with the championship football team.' It was the 1998 season. I graduated in 1999. We won our (California Interscholastic Federation) football championship. He knew all about it.

“Ever since then, we've been connected and when we see each other we say, 'Oh yeah, what's going on with St. Monica's?” said Griffin. “It's just one of those things. We're connected in a weird way for life. It's a cool little back story. It's nice to see him and hang out with him. It's fun to see Doug here on site.”

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Track manager Gerald Lea was on hand as an 18-year-old, who had been pestering him for an announcing job, called the first six races from a relatively remote spot, nowhere near the public address microphone. Then Lea said, “Trevor, come with me, you're calling the next race.”

They proceeded to the announcer's booth, where Trevor Denman called the first race of a career that hits the 50-year mark on Saturday at Del Mar. Denman has made calls from booths at many tracks since August 14, 1971. But, of course, he vividly remembers the first.

“It was the best thing that could have ever happened to me,” Denman said Thursday from his rooftop office at Del Mar. “Mr. Lea was a very intelligent man and he had a lot of sagacity and courage to take a chance on somebody as young as me.”

Given advance notice of his hiring, Denman contends, would have only provided time for nerves and pressure to build up and insecurities to formulate in his mind that would have affected his performance. As it was, he made the call as smoothly and faultlessly as most of the tens of thousands of others since.

And for the record: the winner was New Gold, ridden by John McReady and trained by Des Rich; the runner-up Charm School, ridden by Burt Hayden and trained by Syd Laird. In Durban, and South Africa in general at the time, newspapers were the most widely and readily available media and horse racing was big news.

So the story of a new, young announcer's breakthrough wasn't on Page 1 of the sports section, it was on the front page of the paper.

“I woke up, not thinking I was famous, but thinking I was now 'known' and it felt great,” Denman recalled. “For me to get the job was like getting the Monday Night Football job a few years ago when it was big, or something like that.

“People would point me out and say, 'I saw your picture in the paper.”

That was the starting point for a career about to hit the half-century mark. What follows are some notable moments, in and out of the booth, by decades.

The Rest of the 1970s

“Two things made announcing in South Africa huge,” Denman recalled. “The tracks were huge, a mile and a half around, and there was no television until 1976. So people relied on the announcer to (communicate) what they couldn't see and it was very important.

“When television came around, we started mentioning things like the colors the jockeys were wearing. It was a switch from calling for people who couldn't see what's going on, 90 percent of them anyway, to calling for people who could see on the television. Equipment changed as well as the technology got much better.”

The 1980s

The summer of 1981 marked a full decade for Denman at the job he had gravitated to when exercise riding and aspirations of being a jockey faded. And he was getting restless.

“The three racetracks in South Africa were very good, but when I got to be 28 – and 40 seemed old — I couldn't see myself working the same three tracks for the next 10 years,” Denman said. In need of a challenge, and forseeing the social unrest and political upheaval that lie ahead before the inevitable end of apartheid, his thoughts turned elsewhere.

There were, he said, only six English-speaking countries to consider and in four there was “no chance,” without some strong personal connection with someone in a high position – which he lacked – for genuine opportunity. It broke down to Canada or the U.S. for Denman and, with pluck, luck and skill, the U.S. became home.

At his own expense, he flew to Golden Gate Fields in San Francisco to call a race at an international jockey's day. In Los Angeles, with time to spend before a flight back to South Africa, he went to Santa Anita and, with a recommendation from track publicist Bill Kolberg, got an audition with track executive Alan Balch.

That led to his hiring at Santa Anita in the fall of 1983 and Del Mar in 1984 where his “analysis on the run” style of calling – instead of just going through the names front-to-back – caught on with Southern California fans and eventually went nationwide. Staccato out; storytelling in.

Which led to his call for Pimlico's in-house network of the 1989 Preakness, the consensus “Race of the Decade.”

Pimlico owner Frank De Francis called and asked Denman to be the guest announcer for three weeks, the end of which was the Preakness with Sunday Silence and Easy Goer going head-to-head for the length of the stretch and Sunday Silence prevailing by a nose.

“Two great horses, two great trainers in Shug McGaughey and Charlie Whittingham and it was so close,” Denman said. “That was exciting for sure.”

The 1990s

Talk about busy.

Early in the decade, Hollywood Park owner R. D. Hubbard became the latest in a line of racetrack executives to conclude that Denman at the microphone was a business asset.

“He came and asked if I would come to work for him at Hollywood Park,” Denman recalled. “I was under contract with Santa Anita, but he went to management there and got it cleared with them.”

What ensued was a period from 1992-95 in which Denman was the voice of the Southern California circuit, essentially year-round. By his estimate, approximately 250 days a year.

“I don't know how I did it,” Denman said. “Except I was a lot younger then.”

Racing aficionados cite Denman's calls of Cigar's victory in the 1995 Hollywood Gold Cup and Free House in the 1999 Santa Anita Handicap as examples of how he could anticipate an outcome before it happened (in the former case) or maintain the suspense until the last fraction of a second (in the latter).

Near the end of 1996, he and his wife Robin bought a farm in Minnesota (she was originally from there) that would eventually become a place to retreat to once he started to cut back on his virtual non-stop schedule.

2000-2010

One word: Zenyatta.

Denman called six of the great mare's first 14 victories leading up to the 2009 Breeders' Cup Classic and he, like the rest of the racing world, was eager to see the John Sherriffs-trained superstar take on males.

“That just set up so beautifully,” Denman recalled. “The California mare against such a talented field. Some were saying she'd only beaten up on California (females) and now she's facing the best in the world.”

Appearing hopelessly beaten even partway into the stretch, as she often did in her races, Zenyatta came with a powerful rush and Denman's pitch-perfect words gave everyone watching a rush of a different kind.

“Zenyatta is flying on the grandstand side! This. Is. Un-be-lievable! What a performance! We will never see another like this!”

The “This. Is. Un-be-lievable!” phrase was said in perfect rhythm with Zenyatta's final, winning strides to the wire.

“Her cadence was just right for that,” Denman said. “I never think about things like that beforehand, it just came to me and the cadence was perfect. It was as if she were listening to me as she was striding through it.

“Amazing, absolutely amazing.”

2010-2021

The 2009 Breeders' Cup was the fourth of seven consecutive years in which Denman was the announcer for the ESPN/ABC broadcasts, sharing the duties with Larry Collmus in 2012 before the event was switched to NBC.

The 2010 Classic, in which Zenyatta put a 19-race win streak on the line but had her late run come up inches short against Blame at Churchill Downs, is memorable to Denman for what might have been.

“It was one of those races where at the end, you think, 'Let's do it again,'

he said. “Man, I thought she was going to do it. It would have meant so much for the sport for her to retire undefeated.”

In December of 2015, Denman announced his retirement from Santa Anita after 33 years of calling at “The Great Place.” (He parted with a Denmanesque statement: “It's time to stop counting dollars and start counting stars.”) He soon started a Del Mar-only schedule of announcing the summer and fall meets and repairing to his Minnesota farm in the months between.

That schedule was interrupted last year when he opted to remain in Minnesota during the COVID pandemic, to be replaced by Collmus at Del Mar. He returned for the current season – his 37th at the place where the turf meets the surf — and plans to be back again in the fall and beyond.

“I can tell you in my life, right now, I've never, ever, ever been happier,” the 68-year-old Denman said. “In calling races, I think it's the absolute quintessential calendar year. If you've got to work, Del Mar is the place to do it. The scenery and the atmosphere here; that's it.

“Three months in the summer, one month in the fall, retired nine months.”

And 50 years into a job he loves.

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“Keith was here for thirty-four years,” said Joe Wilson, Chief Operating Officer for Parx Racing. “This was a new process for all of us. Chris is a rising star in our industry with a tremendous work ethic. We are thrilled to welcome him to the Parx family.”

“This is my opportunity to enter a booth that saw a legend like Keith Jones call for so many years,” Griffin commented. “I am grateful to the management at Parx for this incredible opportunity. Being able to call two million dollar races as well as several other graded races is very exciting.”

A native of Santa Monica, California, Griffin got his start as an announcer for the National Hot Rod Association. After four years of traveling the country, Chris expanded his travels internationally as the full time announcer for the Harlem Globetrotters.

While at a tour stop in Little Rock, Arkansas, Griffin's talent captured the attention of veteran race caller Frank Mirahmadi, who was calling the races at Oaklawn Park. Mirahmadi mentored Griffin and helped secure him his first full time racing job at the Humboldt County Fair in Ferndale in 2015. He ended up calling races at the various California fair meets, Portland Meadows, Los Alamitos and Gulfstream Park West. In the fall of 2018 Griffin was named the track announcer at Sam Houston while pulling double duty as Marketing Manager.

“I appreciated my time at Sam Houston Race Park, as well as the Northern California Fairs, and other racetracks who have treated me so well.” Griffin reflected. “However, the relocation to a new region is something I am ready for. I am very excited to move to the East Coast and become the full time announcer at Parx.”

Parx Racing runs Monday thru Wednesday first with first post at 12:55pm

The post ‘Rising Star’ Chris Griffin Named New Track Announcer At Parx appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.

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“They continue to race around the turn, and your guess as good as mine with about a quarter mile to go,” McNerney said on the live feed. “Up top it's somebody who just leads somebody there in second, and a couple lengths back somebody is coming after a quarter in 1:13 and four. They run to the top of the stretch, it's absolutely wide open!”

Watch the race from far turn through the stretch run here:

McNerney laughed about the call when reached by phone on Monday, saying he'd received a lot of positive feedback from racing participants and fans.

“You just try to pick them out, relay what you see, and when you can't see you just don't want dead air,” said McNerney. “I've always had some things in my head, especially if it was football or baseball season or something, but obviously there's nothing going on right now because of COVID, so that's just what came out!”

McNerney is also a jockey's agent, representing Turfway-based riders DeShawn Parker and Rafael Hernandez.

Saturday's race reminded McNerney of a similar issue with visibility at Turfway under retired track announcer Mike Battaglia. On Jan. 22, 2012, a dense fog covered the backstretch of the track, and Battaglia used the time to make up an advertisement for the track's gift shop.

Watch Battaglia's call here:

The post ‘Your Guess As Good As Mine’: Announcer McNerney Gets Creative During Snowstorm At Turfway appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.

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“It's an exciting challenge to call five days per week, but I've always enjoyed that,” Braddick said. “I want to do all I can to positively promote Turf Paradise and grow a fan base for horse racing in my adopted home state of Arizona! We have some great horsemen and I expect the racing to be extremely competitive! I also want to be able to interact with horseplayers online, during racing, and get their opinions.”

Braddick, a native of Cambridge, England, grew up watching horses gallop on the world-famous Newmarket training grounds where he watched some of the greatest Thoroughbreds of the 1980's and 1990's. He also had the good fortune to learn race calling from some of England's best race callers, including Jim McGrath, Simon Holt and the late, Robin Gray. Finding his passion early allowed him to begin learning his chosen profession at a young age, eventually leading him to his first race call in 1991 at Cottenham Point to Point racecourse at the age of only 15.

Since then, Braddick has called all types of horse racing, including Thoroughbred, Quarter-Horse, Arabian, Standardbred, and Jumps racing both in the U.S. and overseas. Most recently, Craig has been the race caller at historic Rillito Park, in Tucson, Arizona since 2018 as well as calling several races at National Steeplechase Association sanctioned events, including races at historic Fair Hill, MD and Camden, SC.

Braddick's extensive social media and web design experience have garnered him note for his tireless and effective promotion of Arizona Thoroughbred and Quarter Horse racing, particularly over the past two years. Recognizing Braddick's skills in these areas, Turf Paradise has also hired him to maintain the track's social media presence for the 2021 Winter meeting. Braddick will maintain the track's Facebook and Twitter (@turf_paradise).

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In addition to his ability to call races in an entertaining, accurate and cogent fashion, Mirahmadi is in keen demand as an emcee, where he vows audiences with his comedic talent and impersonations. At age 53, he's been calling races full time for the past 24 years and will soon embark upon his third season as Santa Anita's Track Announcer. The following is an in-depth conversation that took place on Tuesday, Dec. 1.

Q.           Frank, you've obviously got tremendous passion for our sport and your profession. What are your first memories of going to the track with your parents?

A.         I've been attending the races since before I can even remember. The earliest recollections include picnics, walking a lot on the apron, and getting jockey autographs. At Santa Anita, we often sat in the old clubhouse restaurant just above the gift shop. We had a great table in the corner most weekends, where we could see the horses on their way to the tunnel. 

Q.           As a youngster, did you see yourself as being a track announcer one day? If so, what memories do you have of guys like Harry Henson, etc.?

A.         I don't really think I planned on being a track announcer, though I was certainly drawn to them and admired their work. We would get to the races early, so I knew the way Harry would do the changes. Things like “The condition of the track as usual is fast, and the condition of the turf course firm.” Also, he used the term “You are reminded…” frequently, and always called Shoemaker by William as opposed to Bill. I loved his voice and style and am sorry I never met him. A very pleasant lifetime memory is that his late son Gary was in the booth with me when I called my first two races at Hollywood Park on closing day of the 1992 fall meet. I asked how he felt about me imitating his father, and he gave me the green light. He also liked it. My announcing career was inspired by the brilliance of Trevor Denman. I'm fortunate to call him a good friend now. During his time in the booth, I visited him very infrequently, because he was (and still is) on a pedestal and I didn't want to bother him. Trevor has been incredibly gracious with his time and wisdom and gave me some great advice – he called them helpful hints – when I got the job at Santa Anita.

Q.           Who were some of your favorite horses, jocks, trainers?

A.         There are so many! Spectacular Bid, John Henry, Super Star Vincent, Track Robbery and Champagne Bid to name a few.Shoemaker was my all-time favorite, and I also was very much into Chris McCarron and then Gary Stevens once he got here. We had so many great jockeys in the colony, but those were my favorites. I really enjoyed D. Wayne Lukas and he was my favorite trainer. Charlie Whittingham, of course, has to be on the list.

Q.           You're obviously a tremendously talented person, with great comedic sense and the ability to imitate people. Comedians, actors, musicians, etc., feed off of their audiences in an immediate sense. As a track announcer, you are for the most part totally isolated throughout each racing day. That said, are there certain people that you rely upon for feedback?

A.         I have emceed many events and done a few parties doing impressions, etc., and there is no question that I feed off the crowd in those circumstances. Calling races, however, is very different for me. I enjoy being isolated during the day when calling. I know how special it was for me when I met Trevor Denman in 1990, so I've done a lot of hosting in the booth to let others enjoy that experience. In recent years, however, I've preferred being solo while working.

Q.           You became a dedicated handicapper at a young age. What is your general advice to new fans who would like to bet on the races?

A.         Winners win. It's simple but true. For the most part, stick with successful trainers and jockeys. The best way to handicap, in my opinion, is to watch replays and make notes. That doesn't necessarily mean one has to look for troubled trips. A winner can be very impressive and ready to move up in class and win again. Also, try to identify trainer intent. For example, I much prefer claiming horses going up in class versus those dropping. If a successful trainer claims one for $16,000 and then double-jumps to $25,000, that's a very positive sign. On the other hand, if the horse drops to $10,000, I'll typically pass, even though there are some trainers who like that move to pile up the wins.

Q.           In terms of your work experience, the old Hank Snow song, “I've been Everywhere” comes to mind.  Although the road to your current position wasn't always labeled “fast,” it seems as if the totality of your experience at a number of tracks in various geographic regions has helped to make you the comfortable, self-confident announcer that you now are. Would you agree with that?

A.         Certainly. My first job, in 1996, was at Hialeah Park, so that was an amazing break. From there, in my first year, I kept getting work, going directly to The Downs at Santa Fe, then Players Bluegrass Downs and Atokad Park. In 1999, I was called in to fill-in at Ruidoso Downs and called the All American Futurity. Mr. Hubbard, who gave me my first chances to call as a guest at Hollywood Park, was a big fan of the impressions, and he gave me such a warm welcome in his suite with many of his friends in there. I'll always remember that day. He then hooked me up as the fill-in at Turf Paradise during the dates when Luke Kruytbosch was at Hollywood Park.  That was big for me. When the Louisiana Downs job came open the following year, that was an enormous break, because it was a perfect fit schedule-wise with Hialeah. Unfortunately, Hialeah closed in 2001, but other doors kept opening. In 2006 I got the job on the Northern California Fair circuit, and a year later was given an opportunity on TVG, where I worked for nine years. When Terry Wallace retired and Oaklawn hired me in 2012, it gave me a chance to prove that I could call big races, and that I was more than the guy who could imitate other announcers. That, without a doubt, helped me get to Santa Anita.

Q.           In addition to your tremendous broadcast skills, you've also got an extensive resume in sales which has served you very well. One very high profile example is your relationship with James McIngvale, aka Mattress Mack, the owner of Runhappy. How did you meet and tell us what he's like on a personal level.

A.         I met Mack while working at the Fair Grounds. I had become friends with Bob Baffert after meeting him while recruiting horses for the Fair Grounds and feel that I really sold Bob on bringing Kafwain. I had met Bob at Clocker's Corner and he was about to blow me off, but I told him I was the guy who did the D. Wayne Lukas impression and we hit it off. He brought me around to entertain, so he invited me to hang out with Mack when Wimbledon was in the Louisiana Derby. Mack also loved the impressions, and he still does. I can't imagine a harder worker than Mack. It never stops with him. He sells mattresses but rarely rests on one. He is very tough but incredibly kind. He has strong beliefs and tries to teach his employees and everyone around him to be good and work hard. While working for TVG, I sold Mack the Runhappy sponsorship, making him the biggest advertiser on the network. Fittingly, I had the privilege of calling Runhappy's Malibu win.  Sometimes, things are meant to be. That was one example. When I had serious health issues, Mack flew me to Houston, invited me to his home, and then took me to the top doctors at MD Anderson to get tests done. While I ended up going to Memorial Sloan Kettering for the second surgery (after the emergency surgery in New Jersey), the genetic testing done at MD Anderson helped me make a very difficult decision. Mack's generosity, known world-wide now due to his help with people during hurricanes and the pandemic, goes back to what his parents taught him – “the essence of living is giving.” The man is a legend. Period.

Q.           We've added a new turf chute for the upcoming Winter/Spring Meet, Del Mar is coming off a recording breaking Fall meeting, and racing in Southern California appears very much on the rebound. Your thoughts?

A.         It is very exciting to see the response to the new turf chute. We are all in this together, so it was imperative that Del Mar have a great meet. People love to race in Southern California, and the record of California horses in big races such as the Kentucky Derby and Breeders' Cup Classic speaks for itself. It's nice that we are turning things around and I'm very fortunate to be here during this time.

Q.           Frank, you're very close to your mother and often speak about your late dad. Can you describe what your dad might say if he knew you were in fact the Voice of Santa Anita?

A.         My dad would be very happy for me and proud as well. We lost him to cancer in 1997, but by then I was already calling at Hialeah, so he knew I was announcing races. The fact is, he would still tell me I should have gone to college and gotten my degree (s), but all he wanted was for me to be happy. He was a brilliant man, an electrical engineer who accomplished many things including doing the electrical design on the TRON building at Epcot Center in Florida.  When he was helping me with math during high school, I could sense his frustration because he knew I wasn't giving it my all. Same with chess. I didn't have the patience for chess, and he was a borderline master. But our bonding was clearly at the racetrack, where we went nearly every weekend. So for him to see me call races at Santa Anita, he'd be smiling.

Q.           Everyone is looking forward to seeing you and Tom Quigley doing the pre-race handicapping seminar on opening day via santaanita.com. In addition to winners, what can fans look forward to?

A.         Tom knows I don't want any advance notice whatsoever on questions, and therefore the first 10 minutes can go in many directions. He's not afraid to ask tough questions or toss a jab. That makes it fun. We are good friends having a wonderful time at work. People get bored easily, so we try to enjoy ourselves and offer insights other than what's obvious. We both do the prep work, and the feedback has been terrific, which motivates both of us to bring our A game every day. We both understand the significance of representing THE GREATEST RACE PLACE.

Q.           Finally, the current pandemic has been extremely hard on everyone. You've faced down Stage 3 cancer in the past couple of years and you approach each race day with incredible passion and attention to detail. How are you feeling and as we angle towards 2021, what are your expectations in general?

A.         I am very fortunate to be alive. When Chadwick Boseman passed away this year, I read that he was diagnosed with Stage 3 Colon Cancer in 2016, the same year I was. That is sobering and very sad. I've been incredibly fortunate to have great medical care and my tests are clean and cancer-free. I go in for blood tests every six months and scans once a year, which I did in September. Those pictures give new meaning to sweating out a photo! Every day is a holiday, and every day in the announcer's booth at Santa Anita Park, I feel a very high level of gratitude. I'm feeling good and am committed, as with every day at every track I've worked at, to give my best effort to celebrate the winners with a goal of offering accurate, exciting, unbiased calls.

The post Frank Mirahmadi Returns As Voice Of Santa Anita Park On Opening Day Dec. 26 appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.

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Lies (pronounced “Lees”) has called races at locations around the U.S., including 10-year stints at both Lone Star Park in Texas and Kentucky Downs, as well as at his current jobs at Will Rogers Downs and Fair Meadows Tulsa in Oklahoma.

Collmus, a nationally-known announcer who has worked at racing venues around the country and has been the voice of the Triple Crown since 2011, stepped up and in at Del Mar when Denman, Del Mar's caller since 1984, told the track he was going to stay home in Minnesota this summer in light of the COVID-19 situation. In his role as a “pinch hitter,” Collmus' professionalism and enthusiasm have shone through at the seaside oval since he took up the mic on July 10.

Lies, 43, was born in Long Beach, CA, but grew up mostly in the San Diego area. His father was a trainer and young John's racing interests found him imitating the calls of his hero, Denman, accent and all. When he met the South African caller at the age of 9 at Del Mar, a friendship was formed and his role as hero/mentor all but ensured that young Lies had found his calling.

Besides his full-time announcing jobs, Lies estimates he has guest announced at a dozen tracks nationally, including twice at Del Mar. Additionally, the savvy racetrack veteran has filled many different roles at various venues around the country. At Del Mar he's been its simulcast signal announcer since 2007, has worked in its racing office since 2013 and this year took over the job of morning line maker. At both Will Rogers Downs and Fair Meadows Tulsa he is the announcer, the racing secretary and the morning line maker.

Denman has told Del Mar officials that he plans on returning to his regular role at the track with the start of its fall season on October 31.

The post John Lies To Pinch Hit For Larry Collmus In Final Four Days Of Del Mar Season appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.

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