Huh trust me Pete would look him straight in the eye and tell him exactly what he thinks.. Pete is a man not a child. He doesn't have to be afraid of another man when he is just speaking the truth..

He publically attacked the way a man conducts his livelihood in public. He wasn't objective or reasoned in the way he did it. He was inflammatory and rude. He knows the man he is attacking is here and would read it.

Whether he is speaking the truth or not is open to opinion.

The man he attacked said bite me. Good for Vic. He doesn't owe this attacker any other response on an internet board.

Some points.

1. Dumbest thread ever that's gone more than three pages.
2. Do people really care what the track announcer says, so long as they are accurate?

3. My main point here, I like that Vic said bite me. It shows he's not a stuffed shirt who's full of himself and more importantly, it shows he places himself on our level (the average fan here). I've seen too many racing personalities who consider themselves better than the rest of us and would simply dismiss someone as being beneath them (in knowledge, experience, etc.).

To me, race announcers are faceless people that I barely notice in the background.

I now have an appreciation for him that I otherwise wouldn't have.

I am pretty sure my comment wasn't an attack.

And let's be serious..there are FAR worse things being said on here compared to what I wrote. Get real.

On our level? I didn't know so many of us shat where we eat.

Thats fine. I am just stating that I do have "the balls" to back up what I say. Not sure what I have said in the past leads you to believe I wouldn't have the stones to say it to him in person.

Freddy knows me personally outside of here. Has hung out at the track with me. Take his word.

I am far from an internet tough guy...but again...have no problem facing anyone who wants to confront me about things I say.

This is about as wrong as a person could get. You obviously didnt read what I said or have a problem with comprehending what I wrote.

Good points. We need more threads about Salvatore wearing one contact lense. Brilliant stuff you wrote about. Keep up the good work.

1. Confict of interest:
Bullyhockey.

As Gander stated that is not going to change the outcome of the race. If you are listening to races for the call, well, turn the volume off. National TV never lets Troy Aikman do Cowboy games? Even though he is still intimately associated with the team... cmon.

2. Representative of racing, needs to be more responsible:
Bullhockey.

There are many others on this board, who also represent racing in varying degrees, that have made comments or put up pictures that might also be considered inappropriate and/or involve personal conflict. So all the representatives of racing are clearly not treated equally. And there are posters on here that absolutely delight in denigrating posters who have jobs that are well known while they can remain anonymous. This is pure and simple yellow chicken residue.


The only thing that is obvious is that people love pricking the guy because he will respond. I question the very first post that started the whole thing. There was little, to absolutely nothing wrong with the call.

Yes, I think the following is inflammatory and rude, not objective or reasoned. Here's what I would call the "objective and reasoned" parts:

"What was by far the most biased call of a race occurred in the 6th tonight at Hollywood. I think Hollywood Park really needs to sit down with Vic S and say "either you are a jockey agent or our announcer....not both".

In the 6th race Approaching the far turn Ellie L (5 horse), ridden by Rosario was beginning to make a move, from that point on all Stauffer did was mention the 5 horse . You would have thought the horse was a 1-5 shot....not a 9-2 shot. But because it was his guy's horse, Stauffer went on and on as the horse moved. It's amazing in a big field that he would do something like that. Especially with a horse who was not going to win (as it turned out the horse on the lead jumped into the rail...so the 5 did get up).

It's really an embarassment to Hollywood Park that they would have a guy who is so biased towards his jock's mounts call the races there. Tonight's pandering to his guy's horse was beyond ridiculous. I guess because Hollywood is on it's way out they really don't care. Hopefully whatever track picks up the dates has an announcer who isn't also a jock's agent.

This has been a very interesting thread. I side with Vic for numerous reasons, mainly i don't think he did anything wrong in the call, he reported what happened. second of all, if some anonymous guy on an internet board who you don't know criticises your work, it's tough to take them serious, because you don't know them, their background, or anything about them.

Also, i've never heard Vic once say Joel's name in a racecall or give him props in the call, whereas countless times i've heard him say "a brilliant ride by David Flores, or smokin Joe, or anyone else"

I guess I just don't understand anyone calling for someone's job and how they make a living on an internet fan forum. I can't see how that is anyone's business. You can disagree with what he did, thats fine, but as a previous poster illuminated, the original post was not exactly asking for a dignified response. That poster called for Vics job or jobs, talked about how he was going to lose his job cause HP is possibly closing, then said how they shouldn't hire him if someone else get's the dates and he's still an agent.

Vic's forgotten more about announcing than I know thats for sure, but his calls have remained totally professional, informative, and entertaining in my opinion.

I"m very thankful that i announce at a track "where nobody is listening" as you said, so i don't have to worry about people calling my job into question if i do something they don't deem appropriate.

1. Its definitely a conflict of interest. I remember reading when Vic took over the kids book I thought "wonder who is going to call the races".

Imagine this scenario, there is some minor brushing in a stake race, say its for 500k, and Rosario is the one getting brushed. I can imagine the hyperbole that could come into play on the call, which I hate when announcers do that (Durkin is the absolute worst), I have no idea if it influences the stewards but it always seemed to me like it might.

I remember one time TVG had VS on the line right before the race and he said he did bet someone (the comment was "well lets see if you can tell from the call who I bet on"), which took me as a surprise because I think there is a definite conflict of betting on a race you are calling for the track.

Call me crazy, but if there is a huge conflict of interest when someone has two jobs, don't you think it should be addressed, and if not fixed be dealt with ? I guess it would be ok if ESPN hired Mark Cuban to call NBA games. Could you imagine him calling Mavs games? The network wouldn't put up with it.

You guys make it seem like I am calling for his head. I am not doin that. I am saying IF he can't call an unbiased race then he shouldn't be calling races where Rosario rides. If he can then fine..keep calling. He apparently has been questioned before so I am not some lunatic making insane claims.

As far as him not listening to my criticism because he doesnt know me? Thats is ridiculous. According to your logic people should only take criticism from people they are friends with or know personally? That's a bit much.

It's a good thing that Stauffer doesn't do what Durkin does when horses get cut off/brush. He really goes overboard at times. If Stauffer did, he wouldn't be announcing at HP....that or he woudn't be a jocks agent also.

One race call on a Friday night. The post called me ridiculous, biased, embarrassing and a panderer. I had some fun and said BITE ME and "I" need to loosen up? Pleasssse!

Which do you want? A regular guy who hangs and talks racing amongst friends on the internet. Or an INDUSTRY PROFESSIONAL whatever the hell that means that give you a bunch of stock answers and nothing else?

I can't take critizisim. Really? I've been on this and other boards for many years now and never once backed away from anything said. EVER.

I have made a concerted effort, as requested by my bosses at Hollywood Park, to not promote Rosario in my race calls. I feel I've done that very well. So much so that I've been emplored by many fans and horseman to not underplay Joel's accomplishments. I resisted and will continue to do so.

As for an "obvious" conflict of interest please explain that to me? What advantage do I have over the other agents and riders because I'm the announcer? Many many people on the racetracks have two jobs. I'm just lucky enough to have two great ones. But make no mistake I work my ass off to try to excell an both. Stone you're free to pick up a pair of binoculars or a condition book anytime you want and give it a go. The alarm rings at 4:45.

As for Hollywood Park sitting down and talking to me. I have the blessings of Eual Wyatt and Jack Liebau to do both jobs. They feel my calls and work are good enough to be worthy of calling the amazing racing we have here. Rest assured that as long as HP runs the races I will be the announcer.

Steve. As for you. Try getting off your high horse. I've always acted like a true professional on this site and on the times you've asked me to guest on your radio show. I have NEVER taken myself too seriously. You might want to consider the same. Last time I checked this game is supposed to be fun. Right?

In closing. Thanks for all the support. To you naysayers.................well you know what's coming. El BITO EL MEO:)

Vic,

Reading it once was good enough...my third grade education got it the first time.

Yeah, I'm glad your priorities are straight. A race caller getting excited about a jockey he represents is of much bigger concern than a friend doing something stupid to himself that might cause damage to his vision.

You are now the official paragon of virtue for DT!

1. There are many announcers on National Television that have conflicts of interest. Phil Simms, Troy Aikman (as already mentioned)... the list is quite long.

2. It was not biased any more or less than any other race I saw that night.
I really dont see/hear this at all.

You obviously cant take criticism Vic. If so you would have addressed my post before this got out of hand. Only after reading all of this do you backtrack. Byk isn't on some high horse. He like others thought your reply to me was unprofessional for a guy in your spot. You can't tell me that you don't have an interest in Rosario winning every race and there is no conflict on interest. Obviously you get a bit more excited when he does win (which makes sense since him winning puts money in your pocket), and AT TIMES it comes out in your calls. that my friend is a conflict of interest.

I am not ripping what it takes to be an announcer....not sure why you went down that path. In all honesty I know I damn well couldn't memorize 14 names in 20 minutes and then call races. My hat goes off to you ...it seems far from easy.

What it comes down to Vic, if you can't handle criticism then dont post on a public board.