Trot Insider has learned that announcer Frank Salive will be the regular racecaller for one of Ontario's racetracks this coming summer, and a special guest at another next month.

It was announced earlier this week that Salive will be the announcer for 2016 at Fort Erie Race Track when the thoroughbred track kicks off its meet on May 31. But before that, Salive confirmed that a second gig has been added to his summer plans. The first two weekends at Clinton Raceway -- May 22 and 29 -- will feature Salive in the announcer's booth as well in a guest racecalling role.

"When I first learned that Frank was possibly going to be back in the region, I jumped on the opportunity to have him make a return to Clinton," said Clinton's Marketing Manager Jessica Carnochan. "We are all very excited to welcome him back to a track where he has over 25 years of harness racing memories. The fans here love his race calls and it will be a great kick off to our 2016 season."

Salive was most recently heard this past February filling in for a vacationing Ken Middleton at Woodbine Racetrack, but had filled in at WEG's tracks a few times over the past few years.

"My return to Ontario was kicked off last January and August of 2015 by Jamie Martin and the WEG broadcast department when I got the privilege of working vacation replacement duty," Salive told Trot Insider. "After age 60 you wonder if you'll be remembered or considered relevant, but when I look around and see competitors like drivers John Campbell and Steve Condren and jockeys like Gary Stevens still going later in life I figured I should too."

Fort Erie also races on Sunday afternoon starting in June, thus directly conflicting with Clinton going forward from that date (Greg Blanchard and Tim O'Connor will take over Clinton's microphone duties). But Salive noted that Fort Erie's matinee schedule would leave his evenings open to enjoy harness racing around the province.

A self-proclaimed 'snowbird', Salive's spends his winters in Florida living halfway between Pompano and Gulfstream Park, and just a couple of kilometres (not miles) from the Florida Panthers' home arena. He relishes the opportunity and appreciates the ability to come back home and take part in the province's horse racing industry.

"I am so thankful for the chance work in Ontario at any time," stated Salive. "I have been able to cross working in the U.S.A. and living in the Caribbean off my personal bucket list, and after a time away from Ontario horse racing you do get a perspective on how great and resilient it is, and it is not to be taken for granted.

"The summer settings of tracks like Clinton and Fort Erie are so scenic and beautiful and I'll be savouring every moment of the experience for however many years I have remaining."