Mixed outcomes from calling my first race as a part of the race announcer’s workshop at The Meadowlands.
by Debbie Little
They say you at all times bear in mind your first time.
Despite the truth that I’ve been married to a race caller for almost 33 years, I’ve by no means had any need to strive it. So, what modified this yr? I believed it could make for a great column.
Back in April, after I requested to be included in The Meadowlands-sponsored race announcer’s workshop on July 9, I didn’t notice it could begin at 8 a.m.
Since my husband, Dave, didn’t get house from work till 1:30 that morning, I didn’t need to wake him to drive me to the workshop. Instead, I used a rideshare and, maybe, I ought to have taken it as a foul signal when my driver had bother staying in a lane, and after I lastly arrived, all of the doorways on the entrance entrance to the observe have been locked.
The workshop is run by the “Voice of The Meadowlands”, Ken Warkentin, and arranged by Matt Zuccarello.
Warkentin spent the hour previous to the 9 a.m. qualifiers’ put up time explaining how the workshop was established and giving recommendations on find out how to call races.
The class of 10 had a couple of late scratches, so solely seven truly participated, with three – together with me – trying to break their maiden.
As they have been on the brink of come onto the observe for the primary qualifier, Warkentin requested: “So, who wants to go first?”
I’m positive it didn’t truly occur, however I feel everybody abruptly took a step again.
So, I volunteered, figuring it could be good to get it over with.
When I drove in my first exhibition race, Walter Case, Jr. instructed me: “That feeling like you’re going to throw up goes away when you step onto the track.”
I hoped the identical would apply to saying as a result of vomit would undoubtedly not improve a race call.
It all grew to become actual when Warkentin put the headset on me.
Strangely sufficient, the nerves went away after I noticed Tim Tetrick’s acquainted inexperienced and yellow coaching swimsuit.
The discipline of 4 filly and mare pacers was scratched down to a few, which was a blessing and a curse. Obviously, I shouldn’t have an issue holding observe of which horse was which, however so few rivals meant there would undoubtedly be some lifeless airtime.
Not stunning for a qualifier, there was little or no motion till mid-stretch when Tetrick popped Treacherous Dragon out of the pocket to attain in 1:52 by three-quarters-of-a-size over Queen Of Success. Hot Mess Express completed third.
At the time, I used to be simply centered on getting by means of the call however it’s definitely not misplaced on me that I obtained to call a race with horses of sky-excessive caliber.
I undoubtedly felt nice aid when it was over, and was met by type phrases from the remainder of the workshop, however I do know I may have been higher. Except for watching a number of child races my husband known as in 2021, I didn’t actually follow and I feel it confirmed in my call.
“The only way you’re going to get better is reps,” stated Warkentin. “You need to just keep doing it.”
Since there have been 10 races and solely seven individuals, anybody who needed to call one other race had their identify drawn from a hat.
Andrew Ibendahl, a advertising and marketing sciences supervisor and first-time caller, was fortunate sufficient to get to call two.
“It was nerve-racking but a lot of fun at the same time,” stated Ibendahl after his first call. “It goes by slower and quicker than you think it would. When you talk too fast you could run out of things to say easily, so a lot of it is pacing and realizing that less is more.”
I used to be not fortunate sufficient to be chosen to call one other race, but when I choose to do that once more subsequent yr, I want to call a much bigger discipline. And in an ideal world, I’d additionally prefer to know which race I’d be calling so I may make notes, however that’s not how this workshop features.
From yr to yr, they by no means know what number of qualifiers/child races can be contested or how many individuals will attend the category.
If the category measurement outnumbers the race rely, there’s then a blind draw to see who will get to call.
Dan Kondel and his son, Daniel, attended the workshop for the second straight yr, and despite the fact that they each obtained to call this yr, final yr solely Daniel was fortunate sufficient to have his identify drawn. Donna Kondel was not a workshop participant, however was there nonetheless to assist her husband and son. The Kondels are harness racing followers that may usually be seen at The Meadowlands.
Following the workshop, the Kondels bumped into my husband at The Big M and talked about what an amazing expertise race calling was. Hearing Daniel’s enthusiasm, Dave invited him to call a race subsequent yr at Goshen Historic Track, the place Dave is the Grand Circuit announcer. The Kondels at the moment are contemplating skipping their yearly seashore trip to go to Goshen as an alternative.
Freehold Raceway announcer Edison Hatter, who usually calls Meadowlands’ child races, was available on the workshop and provided me the chance to call a race at Freehold. His thought is to get my husband and I to each call a race on the identical card. Considering Freehold most likely doesn’t have too many three-horse fields, I’m undecided if I’m prepared for that fairly but, however you by no means know.
I’d personally prefer to thank The Meadowlands, Zuccarello, and most of all, Warkentin. After the workshop all of us obtained to go house and chill out for the remainder of the day. Warkentin needed to make a fast turnaround to be again and ready for the eliminations for the Meadowlands Pace.
The $25 workshop participation charge goes to the Harness Horse Youth Foundation, a charity which means quite a bit to Warkentin. He sees this workshop as a technique to give again, one thing that his buddy, the late Sam McKee, can be pleased with.