It was the 'Cheeseburger' Phil Giesbrecht show during the last four races of the Boxing Day program at Northlands Park.
Earlier on the day, it was rumoured that Giesbrecht would go 'from the bike to the mic' for his anouncing debut in Edmonton.
"Friends of mine were calling races in Ontario this past summer, and it looked like a lot of fun," said Giesbrecht. "It's just been something I've always wanted to do."
Ontario's Grand River Raceway hosted the 'From Bike To Mic' series over the summer. The initiative put 16 drivers, trainers and track personnel in the announcer’s booth during Grand River Raceway’s Fun & Frivolity Friday Night cards.
Giesbrecht would pilot Silent Rescue to the winner's circle in the afternoon's 8th. He'd come right back to victory lane in the ninth with Kg Cody and then issue the thumbs up that he'd be on his way up to the 'Eye in the Sky'.
Out of breath and covered in Kg Cody poo, he'd call the afternoon's top class event for fillies and mares in Race 10 - captured by Doober Hoozzitz and driver John Chappell.
After calling Race 10, Giesbrecht hustled back to the paddock for the 11th race finale, where he'd hop on Gottaluckydeal and guide the free-legged filly to her third consecutive win.
When asked about the race call experience Giesbrecht was quick to say, "It felt good. It felt real good! I had a little trouble picking up the [drivers'] colours down the backstretch, but I think it went OK."
It went better than OK. It was a good time for Giesbrecht and a great time for race fans to experience something a little different at the track. The only question now would be... Who's next?
(Northlands)