We revealed the 2009 Super Derby logo yesterday. The $750,000 race is scheduled for Saturday, September 19. Hopefully we can attract a good horse or three.

Memorizing the silks worn by jockeys is critical to delivering a good race call. One of the best pieces of advice I ever received read: No Memo-No Call.

Simply put, without memorizing there is no race call. Sure announcers (myself included) have winged-it before, but the end result is always below the usual standards. Because a race lasts less than two minutes, there is no time to consult your program without missing key events in the race.

When the horses come on the track, the process is read the name, look at the silk, repeat, repeat, repeat. You the move to the next horse, read the name, look at the silk, repeat, repeat, repeat. Then you go to the next horse and do the same thing, but this time toss in the first two here or there, until you’ve covered the entire field. Some announcers do it in sets of three, I just go by general feel.

Sometimes one or two can trip you up, so to help me memorize (and to develop a cheat sheet for mid-race), I use a technique many other announcers use. The program to the right is an example.

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Listen Now: Press play to begin streaming the audio or right click the text link and choose save as or save link.

Download the MP3 [15 Minutes - 7 MB]

Nick Tammaro is the New York handicapper for CapitalOTB.com. Last year he qualified for both the National Handicapping Championship in Las Vegas and the Horseplayer World Series.

You can read Nick’s blog at: nicktammaro.wordpress.com.

Highlights:

• Nick shares why he feels Mine That Bird is a bet against based upon his new running style and the likely pace of the race.
• We discuss how Charitable Man figures to sit a good trip, especially with Rachel Alexandra out of the race.
• Nick thinks because of the addition of blinkers, Summer Bird could be more forwardly placed throughout.
• Does Chocolate Candy have a chance with his slowish figures and potential mid-pack trip?
• Nick reveals how he feels Dunkirk is a “very serious player” because he probably will not “too far behind” the early pace.
• And finally, Nick provides insight into how to bet the race for value including stating his official pick: Dunkirk.

Download the MP3 [15 Minutes - 7 MB]

Listen Now: Press play to begin streaming the audio or right click the text link and choose save as or save link.

Download the MP3 [9 Minutes - 4.4 MB]

Jarrod Horak is the track handicapper at Louisiana Downs. In today’s Podcast he provides some thoughts on the pace of this year’s Belmont Stakes, the abilities of Mine That Bird and even shares his top pick for the race.

Highlights:

• Jarrod talks about the pace of this year’s Belmont and how the race shape is so critical.
• We hear his top pick, Chocolate Candy, and how his California races indicate he might handle the slow pace of the Belmont.
• Jarrod says Dunkirk has the most upside and how he could sit the winning trip on Saturday with so many closers in the race.
• Mine That Bird figures to take more money than his 2-1 morning line would indicate.
• And finally, Jarrod tells us a few ways to make money on the race including some live longshots.

Download the MP3 [9 Minutes - 4.4 MB]

I have spent time between the last few races watching this recently published video on Bloodhorse.com which profiles Tom Durkin and his experiences in calling the Triple Crown. It’s a must-view.

I have spent years accumulating every article, story or blurb on track announcers and race calling. I used my library access at college to comb the archives of the New York Times and other major publications. I compiled them all into one binder recently, which is too thick to lug around on a daily basis, but is a constant resource when working on my race calls.

The sole reason was to learn – to pick-up tidbits, information or insight into calling big races. And because Tom Durkin has called so many big races, the majority of the articles found were on him. So I read and wrote notes, compiling them into one document for future use.

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