track announcers

[copying]

I play the Australian races nightly. When 2, 3 horses hit the line together, the announcers just about always calls the correct winner even when I can't tell whether I won or not.

When I listened to Aqueduct today, or Turfway last week, one horse wins by a neck or 1/2 length and all you get is "Too Close to Call!!" -- I'm sitting there thinking, "What race were you watching?"

The Aussie announcers even call the 7th, 8th, ...13th finishers although I don't know how accurate those are because once the first 4 horses are called, then who cares?

[cowgirlintexas]

I too play Australian racing and it is amazing how acurate they can be. Most of the time it's alot more horses than we have racing here as well.

[ateamstupid]

Originally Posted by copying

I play the Australian races nightly. When 2, 3 horses hit the line together, the announcers just about always calls the correct winner even when I can't tell whether I won or not.

When I listened to Aqueduct today, or Turfway last week, one horse wins by a neck or 1/2 length and all you get is "Too Close to Call!!" -- I'm sitting there thinking, "What race were you watching?"

The Aussie announcers even call the 7th, 8th, ...13th finishers although I don't know how accurate those are because once the first 4 horses are called, then who cares?

Durkin, especially, is pretty bad at calling close finishes.

[Travis Stone]

I'm pretty sure most of the announcers in America could handle 20 horse fields... if we had them.

As for photo finishes, my booth is approximately 30 to 40 feet before the actual wire, which puts me at a severe disadvantage to calling photos. Simply put, my angle is awful for splitting hairs on the wire. The same rings true for many other booths out there. I would much rather release a "Photo Finish!" than run some quick geometrical calculations in my mind, taking into consideration the angle of the sun and wind speed, to announce who was first or second. In all seriousness, the location is the major factor.

As for Durkin, calling out Tiznow the winner of the '01 Classic was pretty bold, so he gets a big thumbs-up from this corner.

[GBBob]

Originally Posted by Travis Stone

I'm pretty sure most of the announcers in America could handle 20 horse fields... if we had them.

As for photo finishes, my booth is approximately 30 to 40 feet before the actual wire, which puts me at a severe disadvantage to calling photos. Simply put, my angle is awful for splitting hairs on the wire. The same rings true for many other booths out there. I would much rather release a "Photo Finish!" than run some quick geometrical calculations in my mind, taking into consideration the angle of the sun and wind speed, to announce who was first or second. In all seriousness, the location is the major factor.

As for Durkin, calling out Tiznow the winner of the '01 Classic was pretty bold, so he gets a big thumbs-up from this corner.

Travis..you guys stick up for each other, which is cool. And I've heard your calls and honestly like them, plus am spoiled have J Dooley here all summer. But if you take off your announcer's hat, you would have to admit that there are several prominent guys out there who can barely call a match race, less a 20 horse field, IMO

[Riot]

Originally Posted by cowgirlintexas

I too play Australian racing and it is amazing how acurate they can be. Most of the time it's alot more horses than we have racing here as well.

Yes, I play Aussie racing, too - they do a bit more descriptive, editorial comment throughout the races, which I really like.

I agree, they are sharp in photos, and in calling out the correct finish order as 8 hit the line within a couple lengths

Love Aussie racing!

[GPK]

Grunder

[Cannon Shell]

Originally Posted by Mumtaz

Yes, I play Aussie racing, too - they do a bit more descriptive, editorial comment throughout the races, which I really like.

I agree, they are sharp in photos, and in calling out the correct finish order as 8 hit the line within a couple lengths

Love Aussie racing!

go to sleep

[Cannon Shell]

Originally Posted by GPK

Grunder

Thunder Grunder

[copying]

Originally Posted by Travis Stone

I'm pretty sure most of the announcers in America could handle 20 horse fields... if we had them.

As for photo finishes, my booth is approximately 30 to 40 feet before the actual wire, which puts me at a severe disadvantage to calling photos. Simply put, my angle is awful for splitting hairs on the wire. The same rings true for many other booths out there. I would much rather release a "Photo Finish!" than run some quick geometrical calculations in my mind, taking into consideration the angle of the sun and wind speed, to announce who was first or second. In all seriousness, the location is the major factor.

As for Durkin, calling out Tiznow the winner of the '01 Classic was pretty bold, so he gets a big thumbs-up from this corner.

I assumed all the announcers booths would be right at the finish line -- if not, then that would explain a lot. I notice Ed Burgart at Los Al calls them to the whisker but I just assumed that was the nature of QH race-calling.

[GPK]

Originally Posted by Cannon Shell

Thunder Grunder

I dont know about announcing...but I haven't missed a photo since Dutch was in office.

[Riot]

Originally Posted by Cannon Shell

go to sleep

I am NOT on "racetrack time"

[Riot]

The Aussie announcers are much, much better than the announcers here. Everything is really smooth, and they don't "Hollywood it up" on the big races, either. They leave the hysterics behind, too. No "COWABUNGA DUDE!!!" crap, to boot.

I can't even imagine how, "COWABUNGA, DUDE!" would sound with an Oz accent ....

Hugh Jackman. Another reason to love Australia!

Originally Posted by Cardus

I cannot challenge your words on photo finishes, but my assertion goes far beyond that, though I probably didn't convey it in my prior post.

The Aussie announcers are much, much better than the announcers here. Everything is really smooth, and they don't "Hollywood it up" on the big races, either. They leave the hysterics behind, too. No "COWABUNGA DUDE!!!" crap, to boot.

I don't see why not! If I correctly remember Bruce Brown's The Endless Summer they found "Tasty waves and a cool buzz" in Australia.

Surf Cat is way too cool for just any call.

Try and loosen up a bit Johnny! Live a little.

Throw around a little crap. It's fun.

Originally Posted by Cardus

It's funny you mention the Aussie announcers. Upon seeing the thread title, I was ready to chime in to praise the Aussies that we hear as better than our announcers.

They deftly handle large fields, and are much better at calling close finishes.

I could list 20 North American announcers that could kick the crap out of any 20 horse field and nail every finish if in the right booth.

With respect to Trevor, Michael, Peter and Robert. All very talented callers. Why are American racing fans intoxicated with accents? Why are callers from other places better just because they do something we could also do well if giving the opportunity?

Kurt Becker could call a 50 horse field and never miss one.

Where's the love for the yanks?

[magic_idol]

I must admitt when i first started following american racing on utube ,I almost bust a gut on the racing commentary & had to show everyone .
No disrespect intended. it was not the the way the race finished it was the slow drawl.
Over here because we talk so fast our race callers talk fast where it seems the relaxed way of american callers by the time they finish saying the name of one horse the race is usually 400 mtrs in.
Kenny callender was one of our great callers he put out a book which was fantastic he used to say about the worry of getting the call wrong on the line because of all the punters listening on the outcome.

[Indian Charlie]

my dream would be to hear a southern belle type call races.

[jballscalls]

Agree with my man Vox, location location location. at River i am right on the wire, so if i cop out and call photo there, its either really close or i'm a chicken. but at PM, i'm atleast 40 yards down from the wire, thus its a lot more difficult.

as far as the big fields, bring em on, the more the merrier.

[philcski]

Originally Posted by v j stauffer

I could list 20 North American announcers that could kick the crap out of any 20 horse field and nail every finish if in the right booth.

With respect to Trevor, Michael, Peter and Robert. All very talented callers. Why are American racing fans intoxicated with accents? Why are callers from other places better just because they do something we could also do well if giving the opportunity?

Kurt Becker could call a 50 horse field and never miss one.

Where's the love for the yanks?

I like American callers better, Vic.

[otisotisotis]

Originally Posted by jballscalls

Agree with my man Vox, location location location. at River i am right on the wire, so if i cop out and call photo there, its either really close or i'm a chicken. but at PM, i'm atleast 40 yards down from the wire, thus its a lot more difficult.

as far as the big fields, bring em on, the more the merrier.

j, are in town (cincy) now? i'm on vacay next week (sorry, no photos), and plan on meandering down to the River.