Wrona is righta for Santa Anita

[Peter Berry]

Originally Posted by pointman

Why Peter? A harness caller can be just as good if not better. I believe Durkin called some harness at the Meadowlands and if anyone could call a race like Jack E. Lee they would win this job in a second.

I've been listening recently to a lot of Durkin's old harness racing calls, including Cambest's world-record time trial at the Illinois State Fair in 1993. He was a terrific crossover caller, certainly in the class of John Tapp and Bill Collins.

[pointman]

Originally Posted by Peter Berry

I've been listening recently to a lot of Durkin's old harness racing calls, including Cambest's world-record time trial at the Illinois State Fair in 1993. He was a terrific crossover caller, certainly in the class of John Tapp and Bill Collins.

I hope you have listened to some of Jack E. Lee's classic calls. To me he is he Durkin of harness racing calling. John Bothe was a tremendous talent too. Unfortunately, both Lee and Bothe had personal issues that hurt their careers.

[Sightseek]

David Fitzgerald has done a great job this weekend.

[Peter Berry]

Originally Posted by pointman

I hope you have listened to some of Jack E. Lee's classic calls. To me he is he Durkin of harness racing calling. John Bothe was a tremendous talent too. Unfortunately, both Lee and Bothe had personal issues that hurt their careers.

I first heard Lee on a visit to Roosevelt in 1975. A brilliant caller, fantastic voice. I had no idea he was the PA announcer at Shea Stadium for a while. Why was he fired from Roosevelt and how well did he adapt to the Long Island quarter horses?

[pointman]

Originally Posted by Peter Berry

I first heard Lee on a visit to Roosevelt in 1975. A brilliant caller, fantastic voice. I had no idea he was the PA announcer at Shea Stadium for a while. Why was he fired from Roosevelt and how well did he adapt to the Long Island quarter horses?

From what I understand he had a big problem with alcohol, there was never an issue about his talent. I believe it cost him the job at Freehold too. I didn't realize that he was the PA announcer at Shea Stadium either and I just saw something that he was the ring announcer at MSG for WWE.

Always loved when he called the horse in last as so and so "can see em all!" He was a great announcer no matter what he called.

[richard burch]

Hypothetical question

since it's common knowledge that they are interviewing callers, If Mr. Berry were to apply for the position, would S.A. have to give him a chance to call a race or 2? They are giving others that chance.

[Peter Berry]

Originally Posted by richard burch

Hypothetical question

since it's common knowledge that they are interviewing callers, If Mr. Berry were to apply for the position, would S.A. have to give him a chance to call a race or 2? They are giving others that chance.

There were several fine announcers who didn't make the cut to audition. I didn't like my chances against Wrona so I stayed out.

[richard burch]

Originally Posted by Peter Berry

There were several fine announcers who didn't make the cut to audition. I didn't like my chances against Wrona so I stayed out.

Gotcha!

Oh!...and are you still going to be calling races at Mountaineer?

and who was/is your favorite horse to call at the track?

[cakes44]

Originally Posted by pointman

From what I understand he had a big problem with alcohol, there was never an issue about his talent.

Sounds like another case of the man keeping him down.

[richard burch]

Originally Posted by cakes44

Sounds like another case of the man keeping him down.

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