Richard Grunder

The racing community at Tampa Bay Downs is mourning the loss of former association steward Dennis Lima, who passed away Wednesday, May 24, at the age of 77. "He was somebody you could always talk to, and you could trust him to give you good advice," said Tampa Bay Downs racing official Jenn Moore. "And he treated everybody equally. He was so down to earth and never got riled up. [His passing] is just a huge loss for everybody." Some 60 years ago, Lima rode a train from Rhode Island...

Richard Grunder, the track announcer at Tampa Bay Downs for the past 37 years, is hanging up his binoculars after the May 2 card. Citing health concerns, the 68-year-old has chosen to retire after a lifetime spent in the sport. He is believed to have called in the vicinity of 37,000 races at Tampa Bay Downs and is currently the longest-tenured announcer at any racetrack in the country. "My goal a few years back was to try to go until I was 70, but I've got a medical situation I...