Dooley Named as Track Announcer at Indiana Grand

John Dooley will announce racing this year at Indiana Grand, the track's vice president and general manager of racing Eric Halstrom posted on social media Feb. 4.

Dooley calls racing at Fair Grounds Race Course & Slots during the winter and for 21 years fulfilled the same role at Arlington International Racecourse from spring through fall. Arlington ceased racing last year, with track owner Churchill Downs Inc. having disclosed last September the sale of the property to the Chicago Bears of the National Football League. 

"We're lucky to have John as he's an A+ race caller and an A+ guy. Will fit in very well with our team," Halstrom tweeted.

The Indiana Grand and Fair Grounds positions allow Dooley to call racing for the bulk of the year. Fair Grounds customarily begins its meet on Thanksgiving and continues through late March. Indiana Grand runs from April 19-Nov. 23 this year.

"Thankful for this opportunity to start a new chapter calling the races (at Indiana Grand)," Dooley tweeted.

Halstrom and Dooley previously worked together at Fair Grounds when Halstrom was an executive there before leaving for Canterbury Park in 2013.

Dooley fills an opening at Indiana Grand after the departure of Bill Downes, who left the track after racing concluded last year, citing personal reasons, including the death of his sister and parents.