RACECALLING

[Goofonroof]

Here's a question I've long wanted to ask. I'd very much appreciate your feedback.

I'm posting this exact text on 5 horseracing discussion boards. DMFF, TrackChampion, DerbyTrail, PaceAdvantage and TVG

I think it's the best way to reach the greatest number of racing fans from the most diverse points of view.

A week or so ago I made a racecall at BHP that involved a horse, Siempre Mio, that was owned in part by Kobe Bryant and Pau Gasol of the L A Lakers.

I scripted and rehearsed what I intended to say if the horse went to the front and battled for the win all the way which fortunately is exactly what happened.

Here's what I planned to say.

Start: Siempre Mio wins the jump ball.

Backstretch: Siempre Mio is on a fast break.

Turn: Siempre is islolated and about to drive the lane ( messed that one up a bit )

Stretch: Look's like it's gonna be a buzzer beater. ( flaked on that. never said it)

Wire: Siempre Mio strikes like the Black Mamba

Let me first say it's nothing new for me to plan in advance what I'm going to say and often times rehearse it in the last few minutes before post time.

I'll do this in two different scenarios. A very significant stakes race which might have historical impact. I want that call to be as good as possible and will do anything I feel with help achieve that goal.

The second is promotion of a special horse, owner or anything that might catch the interest of non traditional racing fans.

I've done that before when Joe Pesci or Jim Rome someone like that ran a horse.

In this case I felt there were many positive reasons to make this call. Maybe Kobe and or Pau would be made to feel special or just think it was cool. IMO having their continued involvement in our sport could have nothing but a hugely positive effect.

I also thought if he'd won perhaps the footage might be shown on that nights Sport Center. Who know's who might have seen it and said to themselves wow that's cool. If Kobe and Pau are into it I'm gonna check it out.

Obviously some of you are going to hate the very idea of such pre-planning or something this gratuitous. I get that. Harry Henson would roll over in his grave if he knew about this. Don't forget though we're in a day and age that cultivating news fans is critically important.

I would very much appreciate your input on this matter.

Fire away.

Thanks V J S

Here's the race.

********OK I GUESS I NEED MORE HELP THAT I THOUGHT. COULDN'T FIGURE OUT HOW TO POST A LINK FOR THE RACE. IT'S JUNE 17 RACE 1******************

[Vince P]

Just listened to it. Clever call, but not sure how it will increase interest in horse racing even if on ESPN. How many non-racing fans actually heard the call? Besides you, has anyone picked up on it or talked about it?

I'd rather encourage tracks to be more fan friendly, more dollar days, lower admissions, lower take-out, etc, etc and they might get more interest and more fans like GoldenGatebytheBay on Sundays.

But as they say, "No harm,no foul."

Enjoyed the call.

Vince P

[Spiketoo]

So let me get this straight Vic - you thought that by making an athlete feel 'special or cool' might keep them in the game for the betterment of racing?

You should be writing for Skip Bayless.

https://www.examiner.com/video/mark-cub ... ip-bayless

[Hollywoodmike]

I'm a long time Kings fan so I can't comment on Kobe and Pau. But if Kopitar or Brown owned the horse, then I would
be all for a comment involving them and their winning of the most coveted trophy in all of sports, "The Stanley Cup."

[Joel]

I don't like the pre-planning at all, and it reminds me of Tim McCarver who used to prepare for every baseball game by having a checklist of "one-liners" that he would find a way to weave in the broadcast and incorporate into each game..

[Hollywoodmike]

Dan Patrick of the Dan Patrick show on cable has asked announcers like Joe Buck and Jeremy Roenick to add the
term "passion bucket" to their telecasts as a subliminal message to him and the Danettes.
Note: Went over the 4000 posts mark recently, but have much to do to catch Lester.

[PeteMo]

Not a fan of stroking owners during the race. If they need to get that sort of special treatment they are not going to last in this game for long anyway. If they want to get involved in racing, it is for the love of game, being around the horses etc. Very hard for me to see Trevor or Durkin designing their call around the owners ego, if they (athletes etc) get used to it from you and dont get the 'love" from them what will they do? Will they threaten to not run at SA unless you call the race? Will they fly you into Saratoga to call a race just for them? But I respect your decision to do it, I just think it accomplishes nothing.

[Kermit]

I guess you have to consider how many listening to the call wondered what the heck was going on? The only 'owner' capping I do is if a major breeding farm keeps a horse instead of selling it or if the trainer owns a part, other than that I don't usually know or care about the owners.
That said, I always enjoy your calls and that one was good, maybe you could have used just one of the scripted comments at the most appropriate time.

[Stefan]

I think that the call was actually pretty good and I don't mind the pre-planned part, as long as it fits with what's actually happening in the race and not shoe-horned in. Plus, it was a good change of pace from the standard calls that we hear hundreds of times a year.

I applaud any attempt at getting new blood into the game. Who knows, if Kobe is tickled by the call, he might tell a teammate, who decides to get in the game, and it could snowball from there. All it takes is one person...

[Pooch]

I think all that fluff stuff should be saved for the post race winners circle PA blah blah blah.

Imagine the owners of the other participents that perhaps have been in the game for decades and have layed out millions over the years and never heard their name during the call of the race. Whatever...this is the 2010s and anything goes....if stroking Kobe's poor ego makes him happy...do it....you are a part time steward...maybe don't DQ one of his horses will work too.