If you've been around the block in the horse racing industry you've heard great racecallers and you've heard terrible racecallers. How about this: have you ever heard a catch-driver step up to the mic?
The Meadowlands Racetrack has announced that on Thursday, July 14 at the cherished East Rutherford, New Jersey oval, harness racing's leading driver, Tim Tetrick, will step out of the race bike and into the announcer's booth.
Tetrick has always dreamed of stepping behind the microphone at the Mecca of harness racing. He will call the first race of the evening, which will head to post at 7:00 p.m.
"I called a few races at some small fairs," Tetrick said. "My dad used to announce all the time and when he would have a horse to drive, I would announce that race. So I've done it probably four or five times. I've never called a race with a field of 10 horses, though, usually just five or six. It's going to be crazy, so we'll see what happens.
"I've got no shot at replacing Sam McKee or Ken Warkentin," Tetrick added. "They're the best in the business. I'll probably blow it, but it will definitely be fun!"
Tetrick leads all drivers in North America for the fifth straight year with 380 wins and $6.1 million in earnings through July 5, 2011. Tetrick pulled ahead of Brian Sears in the Meadowlands standings over the weekend with 116 wins to Sears' 115.
(With files from the Meadowlands)