Fairgrounds caller

pmayjr · #1 01-27-2008, 05:41 PM

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

Travis Stone · #2 01-27-2008, 05:44 PM

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

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

pmayjr · #3 01-27-2008, 06:00 PM

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

Scav · #4 01-27-2008, 06:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pmayjr

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.....

dylbert · #5 01-27-2008, 06:58 PM

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.

turf fan · #6 01-27-2008, 08:23 PM

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

blackthroatedwind · #7 01-27-2008, 08:50 PM

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

NTamm1215 · #8 01-27-2008, 09:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by blackthroatedwind

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

Scav · #9 01-27-2008, 09:10 PM

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

blackthroatedwind · #10 01-27-2008, 09:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NTamm1215

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

NT

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.

NTamm1215 · #11 01-27-2008, 09:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Scav

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

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

blackthroatedwind · #12 01-27-2008, 09:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Scav

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

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.

NTamm1215 · #13 01-27-2008, 09:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by blackthroatedwind

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.

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

NTamm1215 · #14 01-27-2008, 09:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DaHoss9698

I believe he did a few Aqueduct Inner meets as well. At least one that I can remember back in the late 90's.

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

blackthroatedwind · #15 01-27-2008, 09:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NTamm1215

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

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.

blackthroatedwind · #16 01-27-2008, 09:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NTamm1215

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

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

The Bid · #17 01-27-2008, 09:27 PM

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.

blackthroatedwind · #18 01-27-2008, 09:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by The Bid

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.

NTamm1215 · #19 01-27-2008, 09:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by blackthroatedwind

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

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

blackthroatedwind · #20 01-27-2008, 09:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NTamm1215

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.