It was Coronado’s Quest hanging-on by a diminishing nose. It was Cigar driving towards perfection. It was Tiznow out-gaming Sakhee. It was Corporate Report holding-off Hansel. It was Awesome Again, Dehere, Favorite Trick and Hidden Lake.
Travis Stone, a native of Schroon Lake, New York, knew he wanted to be a race caller from a young age. He vividly recalls his first racetrack and was instantly hooked.
It was not uncommon for Travis to rattle off race results and star horses quicker than key historical facts. Statistic projects in school were horse racing related. His fourth grade teacher once inquired why every writing assignment had a racing focus. His enthusiasm and drive to reach the announcers booth turned countless heads. Many, including his parents, felt it was a temporary fad and that he would eventually find himself a “legitimate career.”
Auctioneer to Race Caller
Travis’ pursuit of the announcer booth took him through the State University of New York College at Oneonta where he majored in Communication Arts, gaining valuable experience in interpersonal communication, social development and other various communicative skills. During this time, he attended Missouri Auction School and returned home and began selling real estate at auction the next day. Later in the year he was named New York State Rookie Auctioneer of the Year. The training and experience gained with the gavel helped accelerate his quest for the booth.
Throughout college his summers were spent at Saratoga, writing for The Saratoga Special before he graduated and hit the road for Louisiana Downs.
Career Highlights
Now Travis is the track announcer at Louisiana Downs, home of the Super Derby, a race which hosted such greats as Alysheba, Sunday Silence and Tiznow. Now it’s Strong Contender over-powering Lawyer Ron, and Going Ballistic coming from last-to-first in less than two furlong and My Pal Charlie rocketing to victory along the rail.
In November 2008, Travis was selected as a finalist to become the next track announcer at the home of the Kentucky Derby – Churchill Downs – an unprecedented accomplishment. He has announced before at Monmouth Park, Suffolk Downs, Calder Race Course, Golden Gate Fields, Churchill Downs and Sam Houston.
In 2009, Travis was named to the Thoroughbred Times’ Top 10 To Watch in horse racing which “profiles up-and-comers who might be new or unknown to the industry.”
His lifelong dream is to “call the big races” and wherever that may lead him. Until then, he continues to share his passion for the game and enjoy life.
Travis Stone Snapshot
Birthdate: January 23, 1984
Birthplace: Glens Falls, New York
Hometown: Schroon Lake, New York
Residence: Bossier City, Louisiana
Family: Dog named Bowman (named after Bowman’s Band)
Favorite Genre of Music or Band: Classic rock, anything Billy Joel
Favorite TV Show: Seinfeld and The Sopranos
Favorite Movie: The Godfather
Favorite Meal: Bowl of Cinnamon Toast Crunch
Hobbies/Interests Outside of Racing: Golf, playing piano, visiting with family and friends
07/19/09 2:33 am
Cinamon toast crunch mmm
09/19/09 4:57 pm
Hi Travis good luck with the impending soon to come super derby call. While I do not hear alot of your calls the calls I have heard are fantastic. Clear, crisp consice and accurate. The enthusiasm you exhort is quite similar to that of the greatest, Mr. Durkin. While I know he was somewhat of your mentor, I realized you do not want to make a career of emulating the greatest who has ever set foot in an announcers booth, and want to carve your own niche. Keep up the good work.
01/25/10 1:41 am
Hi Travis. I’m an aspiring race caller here in the Philippines. I really learned a from the race calls demo you did in this site and the recap races uploaded in you tube. I agree that it’s very clear and crisp. Aside from the demo I suggest you post some articles on how aspirants like me, improve this craft. Thanks!