Veazey, Chamberlain Named to Evangeline Posts
Image:
Description:
Evangeline Downs Racetrack, Casino & Hotel announced March 17 that Corey Veazey has been promoted to racing secretary and Michael Chamberlain has been hired as track announcer.
The Opelousas, La., racetrack, which launches its 50th anniversary season April 8, also announced that Ramiro Flores will start his first Thoroughbred season as track superintendent.
"The talent and experience that these three men bring to our team is some of the best in the industry," said Chris Warren, director of racing for Evangeline Downs and Delta Downs Racetrack Casino & Hotel in Vinton, La. "With their help, the upcoming meet promises to be one of the best ever as we conduct our 50th anniversary season."
Veazey, a native of Lafayette, La., has worked at Evangeline Downs for nearly 10 years and comes from a horseracing family. He began his career as a placing judge at the track in 2005 before taking over as the assistant racing secretary in 2009.
Chamberlain, a native of New Jersey, comes to Evangeline from Turf Paradise, where he has been the full-time announcer at the Phoenix, Ariz. racetrack since 2008. A graduate of Arizona State University in 1994 with a degree in broadcast journalism, Chamberlain began his race-calling career in 1996 when he worked at Phoenix Greyhound Park before taking over the microphone at Sam Houston Race Park in 1997. He worked at the Texas racetrack for 11 years before moving back to Arizona to take the Turf Paradise announcing position.
"I think that Evangeline Downs has a tremendous future ahead and I am looking forward to being an integral part of it," Chamberlain said. "Louisiana is a great state for horse racing and I am excited to begin a new chapter of my career there."
Warren said the track is excited about Chamberlain joining the team. "He brings a wealth of experience to the position and his colorful race calls will add a lot of excitement to each program for the fans."
Flores has worked in the racing industry for 15 years and is originally from Guatemala. He joined the Evangeline Downs team last fall for the track's Quarter Horse season following his move to Louisiana from Turf Paradise.
His experience includes extensive work in California where he honed his track-surfacing skills at various racetracks such as Del Mar, Fairplex, and Golden Gate Fields, where his brother-in-law, Juan Meza, is the track superintendent.