Tioga Downs press release

Nichols, NY — Tioga Downs will begin the 2017 racingseason in less than a week, and when it does it will be with a new announcer.Taking over the microphone this year will be John Horne, Jr. John has been anemployee at Tioga for the past three years, working as an assistant to the judgesas well as filling in as the track’s back-up announcer. John has also filled inat several other tracks around the state as well as our sister track VernonDowns.

John, who originally hailed from Middletown, NY, now liveswith his wife Richi and son JT in Worcester, NY. John comes to us from theBaseball Hall of Fame where he still currently works as the Coordinator ofRights & Reproductions, a position he’s held for the last 21 years.

“We’ve watched John grow as an announcer these past fewyears. He’s called all sorts of other sports, predominantly baseball, but hislove for the sport of harness racing has fueled his desire to become a trackannouncer,” said Jason Bluhm, Director of Racing at Tioga. “I can remember whenhe interviewed for the judge’s assistant position a few years ago, one thatonly offers few hours and not much of a chance at making any serious money. Iremember looking at his application and seeing he lived over and hour and a halfaway and thought to myself there’s no way this guy will want to drive hereevery day for these few hours. When I asked him about it, John replied that heloved the sport and his ultimate goal was to become an announcer and here weare today watching him realize that dream”.

Horne replaces former Tioga Downs race caller JamesWitherite. Witherite was the announcer for three years. “He(Witherite) will be a hard act to follow,” said Horne. “He has beenmy mentor since day one. I wouldn’t be here without him,” addedHorne. Horne will call his first race of the season on May 6 at 5 p.m.

For more information, please visit our website at www.tiogadowns.com.