Stauffer to Call Oaklawn Park Races

One of the most recognized and experienced voices in Thoroughbred racing will step into Oaklawn Park's announcer's booth when Vic Stauffer calls the races for the 2017 season.  

Stauffer, who has called more than 40,000 races at nearly a dozen tracks across the country, will be just the sixth track announcer in Oaklawn's 113-year history. The meet begins Jan. 13.

Stauffer was the announcer at Hollywood Park in California for 13 years. Before that he called races at Gulfstream Park, Hialeah Park, Golden Gate Fields, and others. He began his announcing career in 1985 at Garden State Park in New Jersey. In addition to his announcing work, he has earned two Eclipse Awards for radio broadcasts. 

Stauffer, 57, has announced hundreds of grade I races and has called such notable horses as Barbaro, Hal's Hope, Game On Dude, Lava Man, Shared Belief, Pioneerof the Nile  , Lookin at Lucky  , Azeri, Blind Luck, The Tin Man, and California Chrome  .

However, he is most closely associated with two-time Apple Blossom Handicap (gr. I) winner and Horse of the Year Zenyatta, whom he called to victory eight times. Not only did he call her three straight wins in the grade I Vanity Handicap, but he saw her star potential in just her second career start and deftly relayed that excitement to the crowd. 

"Vic was the unanimous choice of the search committee," Oaklawn director of racing David Longinotti said. "His passion, his accuracy, and his clarity make him a rare talent. He is able to describe what is happening on the race track in a way that is immediately understandable while still being unique. We are proud to introduce his voice to the thousands of Arkansas racing fans and look forward to them helping us welcome him to Oaklawn."

"First and foremost I'm a racing fan," Stauffer said. "The Oaklawn racing program is one of a kind in American racing. There simply is no better racing in the country. I look forward to experiencing the huge crowds that are passionate about seeing the best race horses in the world. And I'll be just as excited as everyone else to witness the next great champions that are cultivated at Oaklawn. This is just the perfect scenario for me both personally and professionally."

The 2017 Oaklawn meet runs Jan. 13-April 15.