Fairgrounds caller
 

Hi guys,

I notcie the Dooley is calling Fairgrounds races this year. Where is the guy with the British accent that was doing them in past years, and who has replaced Dooley at Oaklawn?
-Pete

Dooley has called FG for quite a few years now...

Terry Wallace calls at Oaklawn, and he's been doing that for decades...

Sorry to show my ignorance with this... probably a worthles thread I created. Thanks for settin me stright. I'll continue with my ignroance 1 more time: Travis, weren't you at the Farigrounds?
-Pete

I think he was at Lousiana Downs.....or Portland Meadows, I get him and jballscalls confused.....

Tony Bentley was race caller at FG from mid-70s through mid/late-90s. I believe Michael "Racing!" Wrona, currently at Golden Gate Fields, announced for some time at FG.

Bentley was ill-fated announcer at LaD, too. He was horrible! And Terry Wallace from Oaklawn is IMHO a "hack announcer" and even worse handicapper announced one season at LaD. Folks at Oaklawn love him. Too bad they've never heard John G. Dooley (FG), Travis Stone (LaD) or Don Stevens (DeD). Louisiana tracks are quite fortunate to have such capable, talented and entertaining race callers in the booth and at the microphone.

Another LaD alum is Dave Rodman who does outstanding work on Maryland racing circuit, Laurel and Pimilico.

Dave Rodman's "a quarter to go at Pimlico" is one of the best calls in the business.

Dooley's a great guy and an excellent race caller.

That is the truth...very precise and always crisp. Very friendly and a guy who generally seems like he really loves his job.

NT

Isn't the NY job Dooley's dream job? I think he is from there or something and has been mentioned about the job when Durkin is bye bye...I could be wrong though

Agreed. He comes across extremely well on the show he does at 10:30 in the morning. I don't even handicap those races and I enjoy that show. It's great to see two people going over the card enthusiastically and having fun.

Correct...Dooley is from Staten Island and has filled in for Durkin in the past. I believe he called in November of 2005 for a weekend as I remember an Indian Vale stakes race where Dooley was calling.

I'm sure there are a few announcers out there who covet the NY job when Durkin hangs up his binoculars.

NT

I don't know anything about that, one way or the other, but he's been a backup announcer in NY during the winter. He was definitely there in 1997.

Those two are an excellent team as Jessica Pacheco loves her horses. I had the pleasure of meeting her a few times through some low friends in high places.

NT

Yes I believe you're right back when Imbriale was "retired" maybe. I know him and Larry Collmus, another very nice guy, have done the winter gig.

NT

No doubt....and it shows. She comes across very well. Obviously she's very pretty, but she also projects a lot of knowledge, and seems to be genuinely enjoying herself. That show should be an inspiration to others doing a similar job.

I don't follow Fair Grounds, and I'm a perfectionist pr ick, so maybe if I did I would be critical of the substance of what she says, I have no way of knowing that, but knowing nothing I'm very impressed with their show. But, considering what she says, I'm guessing she's knowledgable.

Of course.....nobody will ever be better than me.

Not necessarily, as Johnny was also there in 1997, but he was doing the show in the afternoon more than announcing.

You would be critical if you watched BDW. I find myself turning it off so I dont have to listen. I do like Dooley very much though, I love the safe at home call. Like the cadence in his voice as well.

Oh, I watch pretty much every day, as it's carried on the OTB Network in NYC. I just don't handicap their races so I have no idea what specifically is being discussed.

Could be, in fact, I'm certain you are more familiar with it than me as I really have no recollection. I do know that it was only one meet that Imbriale was gone and Collmus called.

NT

In this specific case I worked on the TV show that winter....and worked with Johnny sometimes.

He, by the way, was a pleasure to work with and very helpful to me. The same, of course, could be said for Harvey Pack.

I think anyone would be hard-pressed to find a nicer guy. I went down in February one year (4+ hour drive from home) just to use a storage space down the hall from the Big A booth to call races. Between each race I would hang-out with John and have a good time.

Then Harvey Pack came-up to the booth for a few races. He and I talked about announcing, the future, whether or not I was going to college etc.

Both were stand-up guys. I remember that whole trip like it was yesterday.

Please dont insult travis like that.

travis stone is from n.y.

dooley does a great . glad we have him down here. dooley and jessica also do a good job. they work well together. there chemistry is also good.

John seems to have good chemistry with all the ladies. He and the two women at AP have quite the interesting conversations, at times.

and yes..agreed..get spoiled being able to listen to him all summer here. Seems like he never misses a call