Frank Mirahmadi succeeds Wallace as Oaklawn announcer

[freddymo]

Originally Posted by NTamm1215

Terry Wallace, who completed his 37th consecutive season as track announcer at Oaklawn Park in 2011, will retire from the announcer’s booth in advance of the 2012 meet.

“After serious consideration in recent weeks, the time has come to end my run as Oaklawn’s track announcer,” Wallace said. “It is time for a new person to have the same opportunities I’ve been given here. While I still have good health, I can continue to be a member of the Oaklawn family in other roles. I’m very thankful for Charles Cella, my fellow employees and the people of my adopted home of Arkansas for the respect and love I’ve been shown through all my terrific years as the Voice of Oaklawn.”

http://www.oaklawn.com/news/2011/jun...rs-booth-2012/

The Ark Derby will never be the same

[mclem0822]

An institution there for 37 seasons. Whatever we may think of his work during this past meet, the man deserves respect for a damn fine run! I thank him for his work, and wish him nothing but the best.

[VOL JACK]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=COx2Oj8aOao

[Bigsmc]

Travis Stone for the next 37 years.

[Travis Stone]

Originally Posted by Bigsmc

Travis Stone for the next 37 years.

Thanks!

Calling 21,000 plus races in a row is really an accomplishment... kudos to Terry on that. He used to call at LAD... I still hear his voice on some of the tapes around the booth.

[ellpol]

Originally Posted by Travis Stone

Thanks!

Calling 21,000 plus races in a row is really an accomplishment... kudos to Terry on that. He used to call at LAD... I still hear his voice on some of the tapes around the booth.

Travis you could be the next Larry Colmus he started at Suffolk now he's got some top jobs. I am so old I remember Larry C hanging around Pimlico with the great Dick Wooley. I do enjoy your announcing Travis.

[Travis Stone]

Originally Posted by ellpol

Travis you could be the next Larry Colmus he started at Suffolk now he's got some top jobs. I am so old I remember Larry C hanging around Pimlico with the great Dick Wooley. I do enjoy your announcing Travis.

Thanks. Larry gave me the chance to call my first two races... Suffolk Downs on a cold January afternoon while I was in college. I called two races that day, and walked out convinced I needed to call races for a living.

[Port Conway Lane]

Originally Posted by ellpol

Travis you could be the next Larry Colmus he started at Suffolk now he's got some top jobs. I am so old I remember Larry C hanging around Pimlico with the great Dick Wooley. I do enjoy your announcing Travis.

That's a first.

[DaTruth]

Originally Posted by Travis Stone

Thanks!

Calling 21,000 plus races in a row is really an accomplishment... kudos to Terry on that. He used to call at LAD... I still hear his voice on some of the tapes around the booth.

With the stretch of I49 to Texarkana completed, it won't be a bad commute from Bossier to Hot Springs.

[NTamm1215]

http://www.oaklawn.com/news/2011/jul...ext-announcer/

[randallscott35]

Originally Posted by mclem0822

An institution there for 37 seasons. Whatever we may think of his work during this past meet, the man deserves respect for a damn fine run! I thank him for his work, and wish him nothing but the best.

This is fair, but something needs to be said about knowing when to step aside. Too many cling.

[Oaklawnfan]

There was a time he was a "one man band" at Oaklawn. He put together their radio network, handled the track PR and of course for years called the races. He was getting tough to listen to as of late and it's a good thing he is stepping aside. There's a lot he can still do at Oaklawn.

Originally Posted by mclem0822

An institution there for 37 seasons. Whatever we may think of his work during this past meet, the man deserves respect for a damn fine run! I thank him for his work, and wish him nothing but the best.

Hear hear !!