NYRA Names New Announcer

Fans at Saratoga Race Course will be hearing a different but familiar voice over the loudspeakers this summer.

The New York Racing Association has named John Imbriale as its next full-time race caller. Imbriale, who began working with NYRA in 1979, replaces Larry Collmus, who was named announcer in April 2015.

NYRA said it could not reach a contract agreement with Collmus, whose five-year deal expired last year.

Collmus succeeded longtime caller Tom Durkin, under whom Imbriale worked as a backup. Imbriale is also the voice of winter racing at Aqueduct.

In a statement thanking NYRA and fans, Collmus said he will continue working with NBC Sports.

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Lucas Willard is a news reporter and host at WAMC Northeast Public Radio, which he joined in 2011. He produces and hosts The Best of Our Knowledge and WAMC Listening Party.