Vic Stauffer WOWS Them

re: Vic Stauffer WOWS Them

NJTrotter — Mon, 27 Jul 2009 02:16:11 GMT

Vic is an absolute tremendous race caller. When Durkin gives it up, and that may be sooner than we think, I hope it's Vic that takes his place. Tom has been the best over the years so it's without debate that the second best (and that's NOT Denman) should take his place and that man is Vic.

To berttheclock, the man your thinking of is Larry Lederman, the race caller at Freehold Raceway.

re: Vic Stauffer WOWS Them

Kevin S — Sat, 25 Jul 2009 22:17:28 GMT

I don't listen to announcers when I am watching races, but Vic was a great guy to work with. We really miss him at Gulfstream. He is definitely a character and has a lot of great stories. One of the good guys in the game.

re: Vic Stauffer WOWS Them

Abbie Knowles — Wed, 22 Jul 2009 00:26:17 GMT

Get well soon Mr Stauffer and thanks for the wonderfuul videos Becky.

The Godolphin website used to be called ALL I CAN SAY IS WOW because that is what the wonderful Clare Balding said when the greatly missed Dubai Millenium slammed his rivals and sauntered to an easy triumph in the World Cup in Dubai in 2000! What a horse!

Love the pic of darling Zenyatta too and her videos! Wonderful to see our beloved Barbaro, lovable Lava Man and the rapidly improving Rail Trip by Jump Start by A P Indy by SEATTLE SLEW!!!!!!!!

Great to see "Funny," Seattle Fitz and Medaglio D'Oro and the great, great Jerry Bailey. If you have not read his book Against the Odds then you should. IT is fabulous!

Mr Stauffer is a wonderful commentator. We have great ones over here too. Mark Johnson you know! Also Sir Peter O'Sullevan, Simon Holt and Richard Hoiles who once, memorably said, when Novice Chasers were jumping particularly badly "It is all thud and blunder! Also Aussie Jim is brilliant!

Like the Aussie commentators that I hear on ATR's Australian coverage but have no idea who they are. Still miss Godolphin's former nuber two Kerrin McEvoy and go "Yes" everytime he rides a winner for Darley in Australia! But he and his family are Australian after all! Bet he is missed by Godolphin in Newmarket though!

Still they do have the brilliant ex camel rider Ahmed Ajtebi and the incomparable Frankie Dettori!

I can waffle can't i?

God Bless

Love in Jesus

Abbie

re: Vic Stauffer WOWS Them

Clem from Detroit — Mon, 20 Jul 2009 16:35:44 GMT

Vic used to announce at the old Detroit Race Course, just after Ladbroke bought it. He had some big shoes to fill, as Jack Riggs was the announcer prior to Vic and Jack was also a great announcer.

(That 2006 Florida Derby was really something. Barbaro tore up Sharp Humor and Sharp was never the same after that race. Every time I see this race replayed, tears well up in my eyes for no apparent reason. Sharp made 2 moves - Barbaro got past him once - I think this is as close as any horse got to beating Barbaro... and it was Sharp's first race around 2 turns... This race is truly an example of what champion thoroughbred instinct is all about...)

re: Vic Stauffer WOWS Them

phil m — Sun, 19 Jul 2009 03:31:23 GMT

I'm sorry to hear Vic is under the weather and certainly wish him a speedy recovery.

He is a fantastic announcer....BUT....his tone comes off as angry to me especially near the end of races. I recognize he is being emotional and i would never want to discourage that but i definitely think he needs to make an adjustment when he returns to his well deserved perch.

re: Vic Stauffer WOWS Them

berttheclock — Fri, 17 Jul 2009 13:28:10 GMT

So Cal racing has been blessed with some fine race callers. Vic is superb, whether calling HP or on the Fair circuit.

However, to the comment about the nasal twang of Trevor, may I say that Trevor paints a picture of a race. One can sit near the walking ring at SA, not look at any screen and know what is happening on the track. If you have a ticket on a horse and Trevor says at about the 3/8ths pole that the rider is going to the whip, start looking at the next race. Your ticket is toast. The only miss by Trevor came when he was auditioning to take Dave Johnson's place. He was going into his "go stand in the payoff queue" on a Sandy Hawley ridden heavy favorite in the feature, when, suddenly, Kangaroo Kourt roared by. Pick Sixers were not amused as they felt Sandy had eased after hearing Trevor's call. However, Joe Steiner and Johnny Longden were very happy for the Kangaroo win.

But, thanks to Steve from St Louis, Georgoff is somewhere "spinning outta the turn" and "picking 'em up and layin' 'em down like Gangbusters". Now, who was that Eastern race caller in New Jersey, who could mimic all the great race callers and even called some races as Borscht Belt comedians?

re: Vic Stauffer WOWS Them

FOY 2004 — Fri, 17 Jul 2009 11:01:37 GMT

My favorite call (I still watch this replay a few times a year) is the 2004 Fountain of Youth by Vic. Read the Footnotes took on Second of June and as they battled in the stretch "The two of them throw it down!" And as Read the Footnotes won by a nose: "It's a headline now!" Awesome!!!

re: Vic Stauffer WOWS Them

Shan Collett DVM — Thu, 16 Jul 2009 15:47:09 GMT

In race 2 on June 16, 2005 at Hollywood Park Vic calls a race which proves that no matter what's going on the show must go on. This race is a perfect example of Vic's committement to horse racing as he professes his first love and his love for us all. Thanks Vic

re: Vic Stauffer WOWS Them

Scott — Thu, 16 Jul 2009 03:25:29 GMT

We ran a horse at Fresno in the late 1990's. The horse wound up pulling up in the race and Vic did a good and accurate job at discribing the incident. I do have a bone to pick with Vic though. One time he stole a parking spot in a strip mall in Sacramento right underneath me pretty much!

re: Vic Stauffer WOWS Them

HiawathasMom — Wed, 15 Jul 2009 10:56:46 GMT

We ran a little gelding at The Woodlands in the mid 90s{non winner, at the bottom} cheapest horse I ever ran but the most exciting winning race call I ever heard. Thanks Vic, get well soon.

re: Vic Stauffer WOWS Them

dispute — Wed, 15 Jul 2009 08:14:09 GMT

I wondered where Vic was weekend.

It certainly is not the same without him. I really enjoy listening to Vic. His passionate piece on Lost In The Fog sold me on his genuine feeling for the equine heros of this game. I have never heard of a racecaller actually visit the horses. I want him in NY when Durkin is out of town. He would make the dismal big A light up for once.

Get well quick, Vic. Miss you!

re: Vic Stauffer WOWS Them

Vic Stauffer — Wed, 15 Jul 2009 05:09:42 GMT

Cmon Kacy I call the leaders and back markers as well. Not just the middle of the pack.

Thanks to all of you for the wonderful kind words and wishes.

I'm feeling much better and ready to get back at it.

All the best.

VJS

re: Vic Stauffer WOWS Them

Turfbullets — Wed, 15 Jul 2009 01:05:23 GMT

Hope Vics on the mend.

Good ambassador for the game but at best a middle of the pack caller.

re: Vic Stauffer WOWS Them

Kacy — Tue, 14 Jul 2009 21:32:07 GMT

Vic, you are a great announcer! Exciting, enthusiastic and exceptionally accurate in a profession that takes a lot of skill! Get well and come back soon! It's not the same without you!

re: Vic Stauffer WOWS Them

RGGC — Tue, 14 Jul 2009 20:19:53 GMT

Dear Vic, I hope you get well soon and get back to calling races. I was so sad and disappointed to hear that you wouldn't be calling races this Sunday. I have never had the pleasure to hear your calls live, I am on the east coast. I feel you are better caller than Tom Durkin, because sometimes Tom goes all soap opera on a call and the race isn't even over. I hope some day to hear you in person and I love all the calls you do. ( I especially love the Zenyatta calls, the earthquake call, and the Barbaro/Sharp Humor call. I was one of the few rooting for Sharp Humor.) Get well soon!

Ps I would love to thank the author for supplying the AllIcansayiswow call. She is a favorite of mine cause she tries every race, every time.

re: Vic Stauffer WOWS Them

slewed'em — Tue, 14 Jul 2009 17:43:34 GMT

Glad to hear Vic is doing good and will be back at the track soon. My prayers to you and can't wait to hear ya on TVG. Thoughts from Louisville, KY

re: Vic Stauffer WOWS Them

Tim G — Tue, 14 Jul 2009 17:40:15 GMT

Tom and Vic are two of my favs. Ed Burgart from Los Al and Frank Mirahmadi who took Luke's place at Turf Paradise both do an okay job.

The Worst? Why oh why did NBC give up the BC? They have a contract with Tom and we're forced to suffer Trevor Denman's nasal twang. The new guy at CD? NEVER shuts up.

What is the fascination we suddenly have with these South African, Kiwi, Brit announcers?

Ahhh for the days of Harry Henson!

re: Vic Stauffer WOWS Them

Lisa — Tue, 14 Jul 2009 16:07:30 GMT

Vic, to me you are truly one of a few announcers that I truly get excited about in a race when you call it. You should call the KY Derby and/or BC...that kind of enthusiasm and emotion when calling a race is what is needed to catch the viewer's attention. It always amazes me when you guys call a race and are able to distinguish between horses and accurately describe the stretch and order of finish. That in itself is a talent few can attempt. I admire your passion for the sport and love of the horse. Get well soon...we need you.

re: Vic Stauffer WOWS Them

LyndaP31 — Tue, 14 Jul 2009 14:55:36 GMT

Ok, what's wrong with Vic? I know he is sick, but does anyone know more?

re: Vic Stauffer WOWS Them

Echo Farm — Tue, 14 Jul 2009 13:02:30 GMT

Vic, Get well soon!

You're the greatest!

re: Vic Stauffer WOWS Them

da3hoss — Tue, 14 Jul 2009 10:11:10 GMT

Vanilla wafer? America's favorite flavor, vanilla! With hot fudge, nuts, cherry on top! He's my favorite caller.

re: Vic Stauffer WOWS Them

Dona — Tue, 14 Jul 2009 06:23:33 GMT

Vic is a really special kind of person. Loves the sport, is very knowledgable and will give the fans all he has every time.

Thanks Vic for some really great calls and because of you and your love for Zenyatta, we had that great "Zenyatta Day" last year. I came to Los Angeles just for that day to honor a great filly and a trully great announcer. Get well big guy so you can call some more WHACKERS! Miss seeing you on TVG!

re: Vic Stauffer WOWS Them

bernie — Tue, 14 Jul 2009 03:58:34 GMT

get well soon Vic. the call of Hal's Hope winning the Fla. Derby warmed my heart . Tears welled up for the underdog during that stretch battle in 2000 .

re: Vic Stauffer WOWS Them

GDMII — Tue, 14 Jul 2009 03:30:03 GMT

Vic is one of the best. We had the pleasure of going up on the roof to watch Vic call a race. He was a very gracious host.

Thanks, Vic, and get well soon!!

re: Vic Stauffer WOWS Them

machouno — Tue, 14 Jul 2009 01:18:29 GMT

Stauffer and Durkin are hands down the two best announcers around... Stauffer's call of Barbaro's Florida Derby still gives me goosebumps.