Larry Colmus out at NYRA

[cherokeescot]

Apparently they could not agree new contract terms . New announcer at Saratoga this year will be the steady and reliable John Imbriale.

[elkurzhal]

Someone needs to give the guy at Sam Houston a call up to a major circuit.

[tenfurlongs]

Too bad about Collmus, he was an excellent caller and a good guy. Wonder if we are getting the full story on why he's out. Did he feel his last contract was too low, and wanted the big money this time around? Anyways, John Imbriale had lobbied hard for the position last time and was pretty disappointed when Collmus got hired. Guess it came full circle for him by sticking around as a team player. He's a bit more reserved than Collmus, but we've run into him at Morton's and in the backyard and he's very friendly away from the job. Good luck to both of them.

TW

[cherokeescot]

Larry seems to have a very good gig with NBC. Wouldn’t be surprised to see him call the races at The Saudi Cup and maybe also for NBC on their Royal Ascot coverage.

[shoes]

Think they are both very good.

[1hooper]

Was never a fan of Screaming Larry,probably since his days at Suffolk Downs and Monmouth.
Always seemed forced and over the top on his network calls.
Prefer the minimilist style.

[gam]

If possible, Kurt Becker should be “loaned out” for Saratoga. Perhaps the best in the business these days. Maybe Durkin can be talked into the 40 day job?

[elkurzhal]

Agree Gam, but he does NASCAR for most of the year. I’m sure enough $ could get around that, but I would think he would be doing it year round if the money was there and he wanted to...

[goldandmyrrh]

I never heard Collmus in his younger years, but I thought he did a good job at Gulfstream. Maybe he can mend fences with The Stro and put in dual work there and NBC. I thought Collmus was as good as we have at identifying horses, and spotting those who were headed forward during a race. As a longshot I'd put in a good word for Dale Day, who does good work bringing calm to a quarterhorse race, as well as being good at thoroughbred racing.

[propro]

Always thought Imbriale deserved a shot at a full time gig instead of being a second stringer like he has for so long at NYRA. I wish he could loosen up his structure a bit. He's very set in how he calls his way back through the field. When it's a large field, he tends to miss critical action up front on the turn telling us who is at the back of the pack and then he has to pick it up from the quarter pole home.

I think Jason Beem does an excellent job. Meadowlands, Monmouth and he did Colonial last year. He called for years at Portland. Fluid with his calling style and he's very descriptive. Hope he gets a top shelf spot one day.