Terry Wallace

[DaTruth]

Wallace is liked by the average person who attends live racing at Oaklawn. The crowd really gets into it when he acts as the master of ceremonies before some of their bigger races, especially when he plays up the local favorites. This is an important consideration because Oaklawn still attracts large on-track crowds. They had 60,000 on hand yesterday, and 24,000 last Saturday for a pretty bad Oaklawn Hcp card. The live crowd's opinion of Wallace is going to carry more weight than what some simulcast bettors think, and really, who avoids betting a track just because they don't like an announcer.

You step back in time when you go to Hot Springs and Oaklawn, and as long as Wallace is considered to be as much a part of the tradition of Oaklawn as the corned beef sandwiches, I think Cella will let Wallace leave on his own terms.

[PatCummings]

For what its worth, acting as emcee, I thought to myself - this guy is standing in the infield with 11 minutes to post NOT looking at the silks in the post parade...and then had to trudge up to the booth. I know he's done it for years, I just can't imagine doing it ten minutes before the biggest race of the year, would be no way I'd want to do it, especially when you can do that all from the booth.

[Habersham000]

Originally Posted by Uncle Daddy

What does Kurt Becker do the 10 months a year when the botique is closed?

He also announces at Kenneland auctions

[SilverRP]

Originally Posted by DaTruth

Wallace is liked by the average person who attends live racing at Oaklawn. The crowd really gets into it when he acts as the master of ceremonies before some of their bigger races, especially when he plays up the local favorites. This is an important consideration because Oaklawn still attracts large on-track crowds. They had 60,000 on hand yesterday, and 24,000 last Saturday for a pretty bad Oaklawn Hcp card. The live crowd's opinion of Wallace is going to carry more weight than what some simulcast bettors think, and really, who avoids betting a track just because they don't like an announcer.

You step back in time when you go to Hot Springs and Oaklawn, and as long as Wallace is considered to be as much a part of the tradition of Oaklawn as the corned beef sandwiches, I think Cella will let Wallace leave on his own terms.

I don't know..... if he was liked, I would think they'd be nice and tell him to step down. His calls are beyond brutal. Makes Oaklawn look really, really bad.

[outofthebox]

Enough about Wallace already. Trevor brought the top sprinter Valient Pete out of a 15 year retirement in saturdays 3rd race....

[cakes44]

Who is smoother, Wallace or this guy?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W45DRy7M1no

[MaTH716]

Originally Posted by outofthebox

Enough about Wallace already. Trevor brought the top sprinter Valient Pete out of a 15 year retirement in saturdays 3rd race....

I'll admit that I'm not the biggest fan of Trevor either, but the two of them shouldn't even be used in the same sentence together.

[robfla]

He also never called Elite Alex or Caleb's Posse in the entire race. Alternation got his name called for the 1st time after he finished, after first being called Altercation by Wallace.

[cakes44]

Who is this Movingupinbetweenhorses horse that kept getting called followed by silence? Something really bad must have happened to him but I can't find any info in the post-race reviews/news. Any help is appreciated.

[pointman]

Originally Posted by DaTruth

Wallace is liked by the average person who attends live racing at Oaklawn. The crowd really gets into it when he acts as the master of ceremonies before some of their bigger races, especially when he plays up the local favorites. This is an important consideration because Oaklawn still attracts large on-track crowds. They had 60,000 on hand yesterday, and 24,000 last Saturday for a pretty bad Oaklawn Hcp card. The live crowd's opinion of Wallace is going to carry more weight than what some simulcast bettors think, and really, who avoids betting a track just because they don't like an announcer.

You step back in time when you go to Hot Springs and Oaklawn, and as long as Wallace is considered to be as much a part of the tradition of Oaklawn as the corned beef sandwiches, I think Cella will let Wallace leave on his own terms.

While this may be true, like anything else in life, if you are unable to adequately perform your job it is time to place someone competent in that position. I know that Terry is an institution at Oaklawn and I have been to many Arkansas Derbies, but I am sure they can find another position for him. He already does raceday handicapping and could still be prominent in that role allowing for a competent racecaller. If the Arkansas Derby call doesn't scream it is time to hang it up, not sure what will.

[outofthebox]

Originally Posted by MaTH716

I'll admit that I'm not the biggest fan of Trevor either, but the two of them shouldn't even be used in the same sentence together.

Im a huge fan of Trevor, and agree that there is no comparison. I just thought it was funny to hear his call...

[Peter Berry]

Originally Posted by DaTruth

Wallace is liked by the average person who attends live racing at Oaklawn. The crowd really gets into it when he acts as the master of ceremonies before some of their bigger races, especially when he plays up the local favorites. This is an important consideration because Oaklawn still attracts large on-track crowds. They had 60,000 on hand yesterday, and 24,000 last Saturday for a pretty bad Oaklawn Hcp card. The live crowd's opinion of Wallace is going to carry more weight than what some simulcast bettors think, and really, who avoids betting a track just because they don't like an announcer.

You step back in time when you go to Hot Springs and Oaklawn, and as long as Wallace is considered to be as much a part of the tradition of Oaklawn as the corned beef sandwiches, I think Cella will let Wallace leave on his own terms.

Perhaps Oaklawn should employ two callers: Mr. Wallace for the on-track fans who love him dearly, and another for the off-track players who apparently do not.

[jms62]

It's hard to imagine that he doesn't see that he is embarassing himself. The proverbial fighter going out on his back.

[MaTH716]

Originally Posted by Peter Berry

Perhaps Oaklawn should employ two callers: Mr. Wallace for the on-track fans who love him dearly, and another for the off-track players who apparently do not.

Peter I don't think it's a matter of people just not liking him, it's the matter of him doing a sub par job.

[Gate Dancer]

Originally Posted by Peter Berry

Perhaps Oaklawn should employ two callers: Mr. Wallace for the on-track fans who love him dearly, and another for the off-track players who apparently do not.

I'm sorry but even the most die-hard supporter would be hard pressed to give him a pass on that call. Again, I heard him for a number of years before the demise of Ak-Sar-Ben and he never sounded like that.

[Seattleallstar]

he aint no John G Dooley, thats for GD sure.