Bill Downes has been named track announcer for the upcoming winter/spring meet at Golden Gate Fields. Downes, who has called the races at Emerald Downs for the Washington track's last two seasons, has over two decades of experience in the announcer's booth.
“We look forward to having Bill call our races,” said Golden Gate Fields Vice President and General Manager David Duggan. “He has called all over the country and provides viewers and listeners with an accurate description of a race.”
Along with his stint at Emerald, Downes has also described the on-track action at Beulah Park, Ellis Park, Indiana Grand, Presque Isle Downs, and River Downs. He began his race calling career at Arapahoe Park in 1999.
A Chicago native, Downes grew up attending Arlington Park with his father, a practice which quickly culminated into a lifelong passion for Thoroughbred racing.
Matt Dinerman, who has called the Golden Gate races for the last six years, had his final day at the track Sunday and will be calling the races this winter at Oaklawn Park.
Santa Anita announcer Frank Mirahmadi will be calling the final two weeks of Golden Gate's Fall Meet, which ends Dec. 10. The track's winter/spring meet begins Dec. 26 and runs through mid-June on a Friday through Sunday basis.
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