Trot Insider has learned that Frank Salive will head south to become the full-time announcer at The Isle Pompano Park Racetrack and Casino in September
.
Salive's Ontario-based calling of harness racing will stop at the end of August, and he will take the role of announcer and track publicist, with associated background duties to assist with the track's simulcast/broadcast product, marketing, and publicity.
After calling races at Clinton, Hanover, Woodstock, Grand River and Western Fair for the past several seasons, Salive is "deeply grateful to all of the Ontario racetracks and organizations which have allowed me the privilege of working for them."
Salive issued a personal statement to Trot Insider and his comments appear below.
"I was really grateful for the chance Ian Fleming and Hugh Mitchell gave me to work at Western Fair for the past four years. Hugh I saw very little of since as the top man in the Association he is very busy. However, Hugh took the time to congratulate me when I reached 100,000 races in October of 2007 and always offered and kind words after the big nights such as the Molson Pace and the City Of London finals.
"As for Ian Fleming at Western Fair and Clinton, he is certainly the greatest boss you could ask for, and he was also an incredible mentor, motivator, and friend, not to mention the profoundly positive impact he's had on the livelihoods of thousands of people. Whoever follows me at Western Fair should consider themselves very lucky because at the end of the day, Hugh and Ian just want to see horses get raced with integrity and for everyone to prosper.
"I also wish to thank Jamie Martin at WEG for his kind words when I resigned there in October of 2005. Dr. Cal Stiller has been a great help supporter too. My move to Pompano is NOT move into retirement. I believe I'm still in the prime of life and career and will be giving it all I've got."
Pompano's season kicks off on September 19.
The Ultimate Class Act
The Ultimate Class Act Gentleman.
The thing I have always admired about you is not only your anouncing ability but how you treat everyone equally.
We'll be thinking about you while we're up here freezing our you know what off.
Our loss is a definite gain for Florida.
All the best buddy
Gord & Joy Brown
P.S. I've always said when people get old they go to Florida.
What a class person and
What a class person and truly great race announcer. Frank will be truly missed in this part of Ontario, but we were very fortunate to have his abilities among us these last several years. You could tell Frank truly loved his job and I will never forget his call of the race when Runway either equalled or broke the track record for trotters at Western Fair. You would think he was sitting on the sulky with Johnny Muir. All the Best to you in the future.
John Jewitt
Dr. David Magee, Wingham,
Dr. David Magee,
Wingham, Ontario.
You're one of the best, Frank..... both as a representative and promoter of the sport and as a person. Pompano will benefit from your presence and we in western Ontario will surely miss you. After a winter in the sun, the golf game should be very solid. All the best to you.
David
Congrats Frank! i just wanna
Congrats Frank!
i just wanna say thanks for all youve done for me this past year at western fair all the articles and speeches in the winners cirlce have dont so much for me and i owe a lot to you. So have fun down south and remember us up here at western fair, youve been one of the best track announcers.
Congrats ;D
your friend and fan
rachel oenema
Congratulations, Frank! You
Congratulations, Frank! You will be missed in Ontario but your great race calls and devotion to the sport will always be remembered.
Adam Mauntah
Frank: Congratulations...
Frank:
Congratulations... don't forget about your friends on the west coast!
Chuck Keeling
Best of luck, hate to see
Best of luck, hate to see you go. The class of track announcers everywhere
Congratulations on your new
Congratulations on your new endeavor Frank. You will be missed up here but i dont blame you for taking advantage of this opportunity to spend the winters in Florida. Pompano Park has really let harness racing slide downhill but hopefully your positive influence will get them turned around and going in the right direction. Good luck and i look forward to seeing you in the sunny south this winter. Jack
The Ontario seen will most
The Ontario seen will most definitely miss you, I had hoped your next stop would be not so south but hey.
Your professionalism and passion for this industry is second to none.
I know the Pompano gig is something you were thinking of at this point in your career, great to see it come to be.
Their pizza is not as good as Armando's... :)
All the best to you and your family. keep in touch...
Cheers
Tom