Discover the Journey of Falling in Love with the Sport

Early Beginnings and Family Influence

Just like many of us, the author's love for the sport began in their early years. Growing up, they would go to the races with their family - dad, mom, and brother. While dad liked to bet and wasn't overly passionate about racing, the author quickly developed a love for it. At a young age, they started reading the Racing Form, and it became their favorite sport almost overnight. They vividly remember going to Hollywood Park and Santa Anita, seeing incredible horses like Spectacular Bid and being at races with Ancient Title and Crystal Water.

Even though they don't remember the exact first time they were at the track or the first horse they watched, those early experiences left a lasting impression. The author's family outings to the races became a regular part of their life, and they were exposed to the excitement and allure of the sport from a young age.

The Influence of Jockeys

The author was a big fan of Bill Shoemaker, who became their favorite jockey. While most people their age wanted to go to Dodgers, Rams, or Lakers games on weekends, they only wanted to go to the track. They would get jockey autographs and meet the riders at a young age, realizing how cool they were. Shoemaker, along with other notable jockeys like Chris McCarron, Eddie D., and Don Pierce, were all very nice to the author, creating a memorable experience.

Even though dad wasn't as passionate about racing, the author's love for the sport grew as they delved deeper into it. By high school, they were regularly reading the Racing Form and trying to figure out how to handicap, showing their growing interest and dedication to the sport.

The Fascination with Race Callers

At a young age, the author was an impersonator and would go to the track to imitate the track announcers. Little did they know that this would lead to their future race calling career. The excitement and drama of the race calls fascinated them, and they became intrigued by the role of the race callers in bringing the races to life.

This fascination with race callers added another layer to the author's love for the sport. They would listen to the race calls and imagine themselves in the announcer's shoes, adding to their overall connection with the sport and its culture.