FRANK MIRAHMADI TO ASSUME SANTA ANITA ANNOUNCING DUTIES

SANTA ANITA PRESS BOX —-

FRANK MIRAHMADI TO ASSUME SANTA ANITA ANNOUNCING DUTIES BEGINNING OPENING DAY, DEC. 26; POPULAR L.A. NATIVE WILL ALSO PLAY A KEY ROLE IN MANY PROMOTIONAL EFFORTS

ARCADIA, Calif. (Nov. 26, 2018)—Frank Mirahmadi, a well-known and popular figure in racing circles from coast to coast, has been named Santa Anita Park’s permanent announcer and will assume his duties high atop the Grandstand beginning opening day, Wednesday, Dec 26.
Having just completed his fourth season as the track announcer at Monmouth Park, Mirahmadi is currently calling races at Aqueduct and will conclude his duties in New York on Dec. 16. Mirahmadi has also served with distinction over the last 22 years, with his first announcing job at Hialeah Park, and at several other locales, including Oaklawn Park, Golden Gate Fields and Louisiana Downs, with brief stints at Santa Anita in 2014 and 2016.
“We’re very excited to be able to hand Frank the microphone here on opening day,” said Tim Ritvo, COO for The Stronach Group. “In addition to being an outstanding communicator, to know Frank is to love him. He’s a very engaging, funny guy who brings a unique perspective to his job.
“First and foremost, he’s a fan and I really think that’s important. He knows what our players want and he knows how to engage not only them, but newcomers as well. He’s well known and respected by our horsemen and we’re looking forward to having him do a number of promotional things in addition to calling races. I know he’ll be here on-track well in advance of opening day to get reacquainted with everyone and we can’t wait for the bell to ring on Dec. 26.”
Mirahmadi, 51, succeeds Australian native Michael Wrona, who had served as track announcer for the past two years.
“Change is never easy and we want to acknowledge Michael’s contributions to Santa Anita over the past couple of years,” said Ritvo. “We appreciate his hard work and dedication and we wish him well in his next assignment.”
Born in Los Angeles, Mirahmadi called his first two races on Dec. 24, 1992 when invited as a celebrity impersonator at Hollywood Park, in which he did remarkably accurate imitations of longtime Santa Anita announcer Trevor Denman as well as Harry Henson, who had served as Hollywood Park’s announcer for 24 years. Mirahmadi also played the role of Santa Anita Track Announcer in the hit movie Seabiscuit.
Far beyond his ability to make people laugh however, the racing world soon discovered that Mirahmadi was an outstanding race caller by simply being–Frank Mirahmadi.
“Santa Anita Park has been my favorite racetrack since I started attending horse races as a kid in the 70s,” said Mirahmadi “I have vivid recollections of where I sat watching races featuring superstars such as Spectacular Bid, John Henry, Precisionist, Winning Colors, and so many others. There is no higher honor than to be named the voice of what I like to call The Great est Race Place. I am so thankful for this incredible opportunity and look forward to returning home.”
For additional information regarding Santa Anita’s upcoming 2018-19 Winter Meet, please visit santaanita.com or call (626) 574-RACE

ABOUT SANTA ANITA PARK
Santa Anita Park is a Stronach Group company, North America’s leading Thoroughbred racetrack owner/operator. The Stronach Group racetracks include Santa Anita Park, Gulfstream Park & Casino, Golden Gate Fields, Portland Meadows, Laurel Park and Pimlico Race Course, home of the world-famous Preakness. The company owns and operates the Palm Meadows Training Center in Florida, and is one of North America’s top race horse breeders through its award-winning Adena Springs operation. The Stronach Group is one of the world’s largest suppliers of pari-mutuel wagering systems, technologies and services. Its companies include AmTote, a global leader in wagering technology; Xpressbet, an Internet and telephone account wagering service; and Monarch Content Management, which acts as a simulcast purchase and sales agent of horseracing content for numerous North American racetracks and wagering outlets. The Stronach Group is North America’s premier supplier of virtual online horseracing games, as well as a leading producer of social media content for the horseracing industry.