Guest callers at Churchill Downs; updated with new replacement for CD

[Glimmerglass]

Will Michael Wrona be the future voice of Churchill? He is a very engaging and observant caller for Golden Gate Fields and had been the caller for the now shuttered Bay Meadows.

Churchill is in the midst of using five different guest callers for one week each as a means to hiring a permanent announcer after the meet ends Nov. 29.

They are Bobby Neuman, Travis Stone, Michael Wrona, Larry Collmus, and Mark Johnson.

The new man will replace Luke Kruytbosch, who called the last 10 runnings of the Kentucky Derby as the Churchill announcer from 1999 until he died unexpectedly this summer at age 47.

Yesterday it was Wrona who called the history-matching record by Julien Leparoux taking 7 wins on the card at Churchill - which was open on Tuesday (it isn't generally) for Vets day:
It also was a memorable day for Churchill's guest announcer Michael Wrona, who started his six-day stint yesterday.

As Leparoux crossed the wire in front to go 5 for 5 on the day, Wrona concluded his call with, "Is this the only jockey name I need to know for the entire week?"

Wrona called Cigar's record-tying 16th victory (Arlington Park), Laffit Pincay eclipsing Bill Shoemaker as the sport's all-time winningest jockey (Hollywood Park), Russell Baze going past Pincay (Bay Meadows) and Baze's historic 10,000th victory (Golden Gate Fields).

"I couldn't believe what was unfolding before my eyes," Wrona said. "… I've been in the right booth at the right time just through good fortune."

From the DRF Oct 24th "Auditions for track's new voice begin" (http://www.drf.com/news/article/99423.html)

As a piece of Americana, the Kentucky Derby has never had an announcer with a foreign accent. Wrona is from Australia, and Johnson is from England. Gates said, "Absolutely nothing will prejudice" the auditions.

"Some people will have preconceived notions going into this process," he said, "and I'm fairly convinced that those will be changed. Let's see what people say. If someone with an accent is perceived to be a good fit or a bad fit with Churchill Downs and the Kentucky Derby, that's what their opinion will be. But we're going to allow this process to play itself out before we come to any conclusions. It should be fun and very interesting for everyone."

This is the lineup of guest announcers (with current tracks):

* Bobby Neuman (Calder), Sunday to Nov. 2.
* Travis Stone (Louisiana Downs), Nov. 5-9.
* Michael Wrona (Golden Gate), Nov. 11-16.
* Larry Collmus (Gulfstream, Monmouth, Suffolk), Nov. 19-23.
* Mark Johnson (England), Nov. 26-29.

Travis Stone actually graduated from SUNY Oneonta which isn't too far from "Glimmerglass" - the body of water that is ;)

[Barnfairy]

'All worthy of the position.

Larry C is a madman, commuting from NJ to Boston while the Monmouth and Suffolk seasons overlap in the fall...good luck getting him to settle down in Kentucky. ;)

[EponaRoan]

RIP, Luke. TuP just isn't the same without you. :sadsmile:

[Glimmerglass]

Not often you put a caller's face with the voice and I'll admit I didn't expect Wrona to look like he does.

Video: WLKY Louisville; Michael Wrona Tryout at Churchill Downs 11-11-08 (http://www.wlky.com/video/17958800/index.html)

[Linny]

I'll admit a bias because I am friendly with Travis but I do enjoy Wrona. He once called a longshot front runner in a grass race that stauck around longer than expected as "staying like a mother-in-law!" They guy's clever.

[Toadie's mom]

Michael used to be at Lone Star and I really miss him! After 3 yrs. John Lies is finally starting to grow on me.

[Glimmerglass]

DRF 11-17-08 "Wrona's wit, descriptive dialogue stand out" (http://drf.com/news/article/99969.html)

No one can reasonably argue that Michael Wrona is not an immensely talented race-caller. Wrona is the entire package - uncannily accurate while laugh-out-loud entertaining at once.

During his six-day race-calling stint that ended Sunday at Churchill Downs, Wrona reaffirmed his reputation as one of the best callers in North America. With his clipped and distinct Australian accent, Wrona, 42, had the good fortune of calling a major milestone on his first day, Nov. 11, when Julien Leparoux rode a Churchill record-tying seven winners.

Such an extraordinary feat fit perfectly into Wrona's wheelhouse. Wrona long has been known for races such as the 1990 Hollywood Turf Cup, a marathon turf race in which he said about Itsallgreektome, "Can he stay the distance? He stays like a mother-in-law!!" His quips about Leparoux were numerous, timely, and clever, so much so that fans not only were talking about Leparoux, but Wrona, too.

If there is anything to criticize about Wrona, it may be that he can sometime talk to excess, such as his tendency to call through the entire field after the wire, or to announce every mutuel payoff, including place and show prices. And although his calls invariably nail what is happening, he is not always correct, such as in the first race Sunday, when Holly's Pal started to falter almost as soon as Wrona exclaimed that he was "moving up strongly!"

But that's nitpicking. Many fans were awed by Wrona, including Doug Glass, a longtime fan and horse owner who said: "I think Wrona is head and shoulders above everybody else. He is incredibly descriptive."

Wrona, who developed a mild case of laryngitis Saturday and had to take off calling the last two races Sunday, is a naturalized United States citizen from Brisbane, Australia. He has worked at about a dozen U.S. tracks in nearly two decades in this country, including Fair Grounds, Arlington, and his current employer, Golden Gate.

Perhaps the biggest question surrounding Churchill possibly employing Wrona, or anyone with a non-standard American accent, is whether he would be the right fit for the Kentucky Derby, long recognized as a major piece of Americana. In addressing that issue, Churchill general manager Jim Gates reiterated what he said before the tryouts began.

"Obviously the prospect of an announcer with a foreign accent calling the Kentucky Derby has been thoroughly discussed by our selection committee," said Gates, adding that one week per caller during the meet "gives our customers an opportunity to get a good feel for their body of work. We'll continue to let the process play itself out."

Wrona was the third of five callers to audition this fall at Churchill, where officials say they will decide before the end of the year who will replace Luke Kruytbosch, who died unexpectedly in July. Wrona followed Bobby Neuman (Oct. 26 to Nov. 2) and Travis Stone (Nov. 5-9). Larry Collmus will take his turn Wednesday through Sunday, followed by Mark Johnson (Nov. 26-29).

Churchill continues to solicit feedback from fans at announcer@kyderby.com

[Glimmerglass]

Guest caller Larry Collmus (Suffolk, Monmouth) is doing a fine job at Churchill Downs today. He has an exceptionally steady voice. Not a lot of jazz with his calling by inserting assorted quips but still effective calling.

Maybe he'll have a day like Wrona's first day: so far the first 3 races have all been won by Robby Albarado.

As Wrona said after Julien Leparoux took the first 4 at CD on his first day of guest calling, he remarked: "Is this the only jockey's name I need to know?" :D

[Glimmerglass]

Regarding Larry Collmus - Courier-Journal 11-20-08 "CD guest announcer: Collmus Q&A" (http://www.courier-journal.com/blogs/trackside/blog.html)

Courier-Journal: Of the favorite horses you listed on your Churchill questionnaire, we know Holy Bull, Cigar, Skip Away, Formal Gold and Corinthian - but who is Hogan's Goat?

Larry Collmus: "Hogan's Goat was a local Suffolk Downs horse. He ran in Cigar's MassCap in 1996. I was very nervous before that race, because the crowd was just going nuts, out of control. As they were going into the gate, I always say, 'So and So goes in. So and So goes in. And the last one in is Hogan's Goat.' When I said that, I thought, 'Well, it's just like a regular Suffolk race if Hogan's Goat is in there.' You know how horses have goats to put them at ease? He was my goat to put me at ease for Cigar's MassCap.

"From there he went on to run at Monmouth, and in one meet he won five races. He was a claimer, but he kept winning and winning. I would always give him these big calls, occasionally referring to him as The Goat. People would joke about that all the time."

[Barnfairy]

What a fun read. I'm so glad you posted the link, wouldn't have found it otherwise.

[Glimmerglass]

DRF 11-24-08 "Long ago, he heard the calling" (http://drf.com/news/article/100129.html)

Excerpt

His calls Wednesday through Sunday at Churchill were as reliable as a Hoover vacuum. Collmus has a soothing rhythm and unfailing accuracy that comes tinged with just the right amounts of excitement and seriousness, depending on the situation.

"I like him the best by far," said Tim Gardner, a Churchill horseplayer for 42 years. "Maybe it's because I'm already familiar with his work at other tracks, but he gets into this rhythm that I really like. He's got a smooth voice and a cadence that's just right."

Collmus said he thought his week at Churchill went well, although he said he "felt maybe a step slow" when adjusting to new surroundings on Wednesday. Otherwise, he kept nailing his calls, such as in the River City Handicap on Saturday, and his professionalism and experience showed through in the last race Thursday, when he didn't skip a beat despite near-darkness and snow flurries that made for very poor visibility.

I didn't know he originally 'cut his teeth' at the Bowie Race Course in MD.

Even as a teen, Collmus would kill time and elicit laughs in the Maryland press boxes by mimicking some of his favorite callers, all of whom have since died or retired: Costy Caras, Ross Morton, Bob Weems, Jack Salter, Tony Bentley, Jack Lamar, Marshall Cassidy, and Dick Woolley.

[Glimmerglass]

Today (11-26-08) through the close (11/19) will have Mark Johnson from England as the caller. He's probably best known to fans of At The Races in the UK - very clear voice and he's highly respected for his knowledge when calling across the pond.

So far he's been very clear and concise in the few races today.

[DickHertz]

Bobby Neuman might be the worst track announcer in North America - wonder why they even brought him in.

[Glimmerglass]

When was Churchill supposed to make their selection?

[Barnfairy]

I don't remember there ever being a specific decision-date given.

They're keeping us in suspense... (http://www.churchilldowns.com/node/2808)

[Glimmerglass]

Tomorrow - Thur Jan 15th - it will be announced ....

The new voice of the home of the Kentucky Derby will be announced Jan. 15. Churchill Downs will hold a press conference at the Louisville, Ky., racetrack to let the industry know who will replace Luke Kruybosch, who died of an apparent heart attack July 14 at age 47.

[Glimmerglass]

Both the Paulick Report is reporting that Mark Johnson (http://www.paulickreport.com/blog/announcer-goes-from-darby-to-derby/) of England will get the position.

And the the Courier-Journal (http://www.courier-journal.com/article/20090114/SPORTS08/90115001/1029/SPORTS03) of Louisville is too.

From youtube.com an example of his work with Churchill Downs: Race 11, Nov 29th (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yImkPKNc0xQ&feature=channel_page)

A crisp and clean style with a good eye for covering the field.

[Glimmerglass]

Some interesting bits on Mark Johnson the new voice (http://news.bloodhorse.com/article/48799.htm) of Churchill Downs:

Career Milestones: First live race commentary: March 15, 1986 at Tweseldown, England
First “Classic” commentary: 1995 St. Leger Stakes
First Epsom Derby: 1998 (1998-2002)
First Cheltenham Festival: 1996 (most years to present day)
First Grand National: 2004 (2004-05)
First live race call in America: Oct. 11, 2001 at Calder Race Course
All-Star Announcer Appearances: 2005 (Belmont) and ’07 (Monmouth)
First full card announcing in America: Aug. 3, 2007 at Calder Race Course
First graded stakes race call in America: Nov. 27, 2008 at Churchill Downs
Favorite Announcers: Peter O’Sullivan, Raleigh Gilbert, Tom Durkin and Dave Johnson
Favorite Horses: Red Rum, High Chaparral, Sindar, Pleasantly Perfect and Corinthian
Favorite Kentucky Derby: “Smarty Jones in 2004.”
Favorite Movies: “I’m a massive film fan, particularly old westerns and swashbucklers. Errol Flynn is a particular favorite actor.”
Favorite Musical Acts: “The Police and Sting.”
Favorite Books: “The Gun and The Sharpe novels based on the Napoleonic Wars.”
Favorite Meal: “I have very cosmopolitan tastes for food, but a good meal has to be accompanied by a great red wine!”
Hobbies/Interests: “Golf and travel.”
Hooked on Horse Racing: “I got hooked on horse racing when going jump racing with my mother and father as a very young child and watching racing on Saturday afternoons on TV, especially the Grand National. Grand National Day for me as a youngster was like Christmas Day, my birthday and any other special day rolled into one.”
Interesting Fact: “I was an assistant trainer when briefly based in Newmarket. I also sword fenced to high standard and I am a qualified fencing coach.”