What Does It Take To Be a Harness Racing Track Announcer?

Calling races takes skill, charisma and above all, a great memory. It's a high wire act that many fans take for granted.

In this clip from the TV show, "Pennsylvania HarnessWeek," the team takes you behind the scenes at Harrah's Chester Racetrack & Casino with one of the country's youngest track announcers, James Witherite-Rieg, as he uses memory tricks and a lifelong passion for racing to call up to 14 races a day -- without a net.

Want more great behind the scenes features?
"Pennsylvania HarnessWeek" airs every Saturday on Comcast SportsNet at 4pm through December 20th, 2008. Join your hosts Steve Ross and Heather Moffett as we put you in the bike for the hottest harness racing excitement from Harrah's Chester Racetrack & Casino and Mohegan Sun at Pocono Downs.

Category:

Sports

Tags:

• and
• at
• casino
• chester
• downs
• gambling
• harness
• harrah's
• james
• mohegan
• pocono
• racetrack
• racing
• sun
• wagering
• witherite-reig

[sunnycliffs]

well said. here here.

[smaexpress]

James Witherite-Rieg is a most welcome addition to the harness line-up of track announcers. James has his own unique style of announcing the owner's names FIRST and then, of course, the horse and driver. James' voice is CRISP and CLEAR while his race-calling is CONCISE and most PROFESSIONAL. Thanks, James. I think I speak on behalf of all horsemen when I say, "You have made an early and WONDERFUL impact in the harness racing community." We wish you continued success.