Collmus to Again Sub for Denman as Del Mar Announcer

Larry Collmus, who subbed for regular announcer Trevor Denman this summer at Del Mar amid COVID-19, is returning for the track's fall meet that begins Oct. 31. Denman again chose to stay home at his Minnesota farm out of concerns about the pandemic, the track said in a news release.

Denman, Del Mar's announcer since 1984, previously indicated to track officials that he planned to return for the fall stand.

In his stead during the summer meet, the nationally prominent Collmus was warmly received with his sharp calls and enthusiasm. Collmus missed the final week of the Del Mar summer meet to call the Kentucky Derby Presented by Woodford Reserve (G1) at Churchill Downs for NBC, and he later teamed with Michael Wrona to announce the Kentucky Downs September meet.

"We talked to Trevor right after our summer meet, and it was obvious he was torn," said Del Mar Thoroughbred Club CEO Joe Harper. "There still was concern about the pandemic and his family, yet he also wanted to keep a commitment he'd made to us. But in the end, we told him to stay home and stay safe; he appreciated that."

Del Mar's next move was to reconnect with Collmus, the veteran announcer who has called major race meetings from coast to coast over the past 35 years and who has been NBC's voice of the Triple Crown for the past decade. Collmus quickly gave a thumbs-up to the idea of returning to the seaside oval for another go-round.

"I truly enjoyed calling the races this summer at Del Mar and look forward to the opportunity to return for the Bing Crosby meet," Collmus said. "It's such a special place and I'm honored to be asked to come back."

The 15-day meet, named the Bing Crosby Season in a salute to the track's founder, will have a Saturday/Sunday opening weekend, then three Friday-thru-Sunday weekends before finishing up with a four-day run keyed on Thanksgiving Thursday (Nov. 26) through to Sunday, Nov. 29. Sixteen stakes, with an emphasis on turf racing, are scheduled.