Witherite also
to assume roles as lead handicapper and fan education ambassador
NICHOLS,
NY
– Tioga Downs is proud to announce that James Witherite, one of the top young
announcers in harness racing, will become the track’s full-time race caller
beginning with the 2014 racing season.
The
27-year-old Pennsylvania native has spent the past seven years as the track
announcer at Harrah’s Philadelphia Casino and Racetrack. Witherite has also
called races at more than 60 harness and thoroughbred tracks throughout North
America.
“I
have always been impressed with every aspect of the racing product at Tioga,”
said Witherite, who has had the opportunity over the past few years to call a
couple of race cards each season at Tioga Downs. “While I’ve enjoyed a great
seven years at Philadelphia and called some remarkable miles there, I’m looking
forward to this new endeavor.”
In
addition to announcing the races, Witherite will provide his race analysis and
commentary in the racing program and on the Tioga Downs website. He will also
conduct fan education seminars, meet-and-greets with on-track visitors and even
play live music. Witherite is an accomplished multi-instrumental musician
and composer.
“We’ve
always had a rotating cast of announcers during our race meet, but when it
became apparent that James was available, we jumped at the opportunity to get
not only one of the premier race callers in our sport, but also a talented and
passionate promoter of all aspects of the industry,” said Jason Settlemoir,
Vice President of Racing.
“We
have great racing here at Tioga and James will only enhance that product,” said
Jason Bluhm, Senior Director of Racing. “We plan on creating a pre-race show
among other enhancements to our live product and James will be an important
part of that. I feel privileged to have him join the team.”
Witherite
will begin his new role this winter working as a fan education ambassador at
Meadowlands Racing and Entertainment, Tioga’s sister property located in East
Rutherford, New Jersey. He will then relocate to Tioga Downs when its racing
season begins.
