Throughout a harness racing career that has spanned nearly five decades, Scott Ehrlich finds himself back where it all started: behind the microphone calling the action in southern Maine.
Tapped as the new voice of First Tracks Cumberland, the self-taught handicapper and racing enthusiast said, “Things are ‘looking up’ when I am looking down from high atop the grandstand. It’s where I have always loved to be.”
Somewhat of a familiar tone around the state of Maine, Ehrlich has been the backup announcer at the popular Fryeburg Fair for the last 10 years.
But Ehrlich is no stranger to the announcer’s booth having been the primary race caller over the years at Cal-Expo, Balmoral and Maywood.
“Much of my early success I owe to Phil Langley, who advocated for me with Billy Johnston and got me into his tracks to announce full time,” Ehrlich remembers fondly. “I grew up in Chicago, so it was a great honour work at these prestigious raceways.”
He has also provided backup at tracks throughout the Northeast and Midwest.
It was at Quad City Downs where he got his first big break, calling those races from the late 1980s to the mid-1990s.
The knowledgeable and affable Ehrlich will also provide live pre-race analysis as well as racing recap publicity for this new era in Maine harness competition.
While Scott is looking forward to his role as the on-air handicapper, he exclaims that he is no ‘average Joe,’ “I like to provide insight that you won’t see in the program ... trip notes, time adjustments, etc.”
“From me, you won’t see the generic stuff. Not only will you get my picks, but you get why.”
Ehrlich calls upon his wide range of experiences when working in the industry. Not only are his tip sheets sought after, but in some instances, he has outfitted the horses that he picks!
“I realized that a niche needed to be filled, so I started and now am proud to be in my fifth year as owner/operator of Expo Tack shop, serving horsemen and women with horse equipment on the backstretch of Cal-Expo,” stated Ehrlich.
In addition, he also owns a few horses. Scott says that, “Since I watched and called what seems like a million races, you get to know what each horse likes or dislikes. Additionally, you become well aware of the trainers and their abilities, not to mention the drivers, as well as little things like current race-bikes, to not so current.”
“And when a horse I see might be racing for a low-percentage trainer and/or driver, and perhaps on a smaller track that doesn't fit their style, that's when I'll buy or claim a horse, who almost assuredly is a closer. You'll never see me acquire a horse from a top stable that uses a high-percentage driver. What advantage is that? I've always tried to buy them fairly cheap and turn them into something good. I'm lucky that it has happened a few times.”
So what else does a guy do that wears several hats in an industry that is spread out from coast to coast?
“Time with family, of course,” Ehrlich adds. “When I am not working I enjoy spending time with my wife, Lisa, of 25 years, my three children and two grandchildren.”
To listen to one of Scott Ehrlich’s favourite race calls, the 2004 Dan Patch from Balmoral Park, click below.
(First Tracks Cumberland)