While the harness racing industry has focused most of its attention on this Saturday's Breeders Crown, a collective breath is held with fingers crossed for announcer Larry Lederman

who has a MRI today to determine the status of a malignant brain tumour.

On today's episode of Trot Radio, Norm Borg talks to Lederman, one of the sport's most beloved announcers, for an update on his health.

"I'll know more on Friday. I have an MRI on Wednesday, I'm coming off two heavy doses of chemo. The cure is worse than the disease and I'll know on Friday where it's going and what it's doing. They're doing everything they can to make sure it doesn't grow because if it does, that causes a problem because of where it's located. It's like the circuit breaker in your house, it controls all my motor things."

The struggle for the voice of Freehold and Garden State before that is more mental than anything.

"Honestly, it's tougher mentally than physically. Physically, I can take it. Knowing that everyday is the same, they don't want you to exercise, they don't want you out in the sun. You take a beating from this and you become forgetful. And the main thing is I'm not working. Do I miss it? I miss it terribly. I watch the TVG and the HRTV and I stay with it. And I play the father-husband but to be home everyday, I love them both but I gotta get to work!"

Despite taking its toll mentally, Lederman sounds as sharp as ever as the two announcers traded stories of classic Lederman calls.

"It was during the election when Bill Clinton was in trouble with the things he was doing in the White House. And the phone starting ringing, and you could hear the phone going over the TV." recalls Lederman. "They were going to the three-quarters and I said 'hold on, everyone' and I go 'Hilary, I can't help you with Bill! You'll have to work this one out yourself.' and then I just hung up the phone."

Lederman's resolve is as strong as ever, thanks to what he considers the best support group anyone could ask for.

"I have the best support system in the whole world. I would have never known in a quillion years that there were this many people that really cared. I just thought I was a guy who went out there, had some fun and called the races, went home and watched TV and tried to avoid the mailman with all the bills. A lot of people came out of nowhere, people I haven't seen in 20, 25 years got in contact with me. Jeff Gural has been a saint, everybody's been great."

To listen to the full interview with Lederman and Borg, click the play button below.

Episode 233 – Announcer Larry Lederman

Audio Format: MP3 audio

Host: Norm Borg

Please note that the opinions expressed in the featured interview are those of the participants and do not necessarily reflect Rideau Carleton Raceway and/or Standardbred Canada.