Del Mar Looking for “America’s Next Race Caller”
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Photo courtesy of Del Mar
Edited press release
The next great announcer is out there. Champing at the microphone, instead of the bit and ready to shout it out for the world to hear. That person is looking for the chance to step into a booth at a racetrack and call the thundering Thoroughbreds as they come racing out of the turn and go storming down the stretch.
This summer, Del Mar wants to find that special caller and make him or her the winner of its “America’s Next Race Caller” contest.
The track is encouraging those who’d like to take a crack at being that “Next” caller to submit video or audio of their call of American Pharoah’s victory in the 2014 Del Mar Futurity. The calls will be judged and narrowed down by Del Mar staff, then the three very best will be turned over to a panel of expert judges. The winner will be chosen on Saturday, August 15.
The experts know what they’re talking about – and maybe more importantly, what they’re hearing. They are four racetrack announcers, led by Del Mar’s main guy for the past 32 years, Trevor Denman. Also in the judges’ stand will be John Lies, Lone Star Park’s race caller; Travis Stone, Churchill Downs’ caller, and Vic Stauffer, the last announcer at Hollywood Park.
The four race callers will hold a panel session at the track’s “Donuts at Del Mar” morning Aug. 15, choosing the winner from the three finalists. The winner will get the ultimate prize, the chance to call a race that afternoon in Trevor Denman’s booth.
Those who want to enter can visit delmarscene.com and click on “America’s Next Race Caller.” Rules for the contest and instruction on how to submit an entry are posted and explained there.
The “America’s Next Race Caller” contest will be open from July 25 to August 12 at 11:59 p.m. Entries submitted during that period will be judged primarily for the quality of the call, as opposed to the quality of the production. Most audio files/formats will be accepted and video of the race caller in action is encouraged, but not required.
Del Mar Thoroughbred Club is sponsoring the “Next” contest in conjunction with the Little Red Feather Racing Club.
Del Mar’s 40-day summer season will continue until Labor Day, September 7.