Dave Johnson

Maybe our sport is still capable of bringing together four such people round a dinner table. But you have to doubt it. "They were comparing the theaters that they had played on the Vaudeville circuit," Dave Johnson recalls. "Which had the best backstage dressing rooms? Which had the best eating places, that you could walk to still with your costume and makeup on?" These memories were being shared between Johnson's mother and Fred Astaire. Moreover, both of those who were listening on, fascinated, had remarkable stories of their own: Astaire's...

Retired race-caller Dave Johnson has filed suit against streaming giant Netflix and some of its subsidiaries, alleging his voice and persona were used on an episode of the popular Netflix program 'The Crown' without his permission. Johnson is seeking compensatory and exemplary damages as well as equitable relief. The suit was filed in the Supreme Court of the State of New York, County of New York. The allegations revolve around a show that aired on Nov. 9, 2022, which was the eighth episode of Season Five of 'The Crown'. The...

I first met Drew Mollica in 1988 when I was assigned by the Thoroughbred Record to write a cover story on Chris Antley, for whom Mollica was serving as a jockey agent at the time. I found Mollica hysterically funny and, full disclosure, we have been friends ever since. Having since earned his law degree, Drew now practices what might be called racetrack law, and counts the TDN among his clients. Tuesday night, I attended the opening night of his son, Gabe's, one-man show, Solo, in New York City's East...

Pioneering horse racing television commentator Charlsie Cantey will be honored with the Jane Goldstein Exemplary Leadership Award at the second annual Horse Racing Women's Summit, Sept. 27-29, at Santa Anita Park. A native of North Carolina, Cantey started her career with race horses in New York after graduating from George Washington University in 1968. She worked with trainers Elliot Burch, Frank Whiteley, Jr., David Whiteley, and Sidney Watters, as well as Joe Cantey after their 1969 marriage. She was persuaded by Frank Wright and Dave Johnson, co-hosts of the WOR-TV...

Dave Johnson, who was the track announcer for Secretariat's win in the GI Belmont, joined this week's TDN Writers' Room podcast to share his memories of the unforgettable day in racing's history.

On that June afternoon nearly 50 years ago, Dave Johnson was there to witness one of the most memorable moments in the history of horse racing. As the NYRA track announcer, he called Secretariat's win in the GI Belmont S., an event he, and anyone who was there that day, will never forget. To share his memories, Johnson joined the team for this week's TDN Writers' Room podcast presented by Keeneland. Johnson was this week's Green Group Guest of the Week. He recalled that Secretariat came around at the perfect...

Ray Kerrison, a former racing columnist for the New York Post known as a fearless reporter who was never afraid to tackle the most sensitive subjects, passed away Sunday. He was 92. His death was first reported by the Post, for whom he covered 32 Kentucky Derbies. A native of Australia, Kerrision came to the Post in 1977 and was a regular on the racing beat through the 1985 season. He then moved over to the news side and worked as a columnist up until 2013. The news department would...

For the past few years, we have celebrated the highs and sometimes lows, of the Royal Ascot meet with A Tip of the Top Hat awards. Originally over these five days, we presented `The Down the Stretch' awards, but the homestretch at Ascot is a gradual uphill tussle. I think it is much harder for a thoroughbred to pull, to dig down deep on the incline in the final three furlongs. Very trying and tiring. Thus, the Up The Stretch Awards. Here are the 2020 STRECHIE winners. The winner of...

Are you lucky enough to be a real fan of the industry you live and work in? I am. And my new hero is Ian Bartlett. Never met the chap, but he is a well traveled race commentator for more than 31 years, with stints in his native England for the BBC, and for races in Ireland, France and Dubai. And now he is the voice of Royal Ascot. I urge you to listen to his outstanding race calls at The Royal meeting, which is just a five-day stand through...

Forget Junes in years past. Forget the top hat and tailcoat. Forget the long airline flight to London. Forget the face mask and gloves. It's a new world in 2020 for those who love top-quality horse racing and believe that "mass follows class" on both sides of the Atlantic. Now in the light of COVID-19, the unique Royal Ascot meet will take place on the same heath behind closed doors for the first time since 1711, when Queen Anne decreed that the beautiful flatland just a mile or so from...

Bob Quigley, a highly respected retired racing executive, who was best known for his role as the head of management when the Meadowlands opened, passed away Monday at age 90. He died of natural causes. His death was confirmed by Richard Orbann, who was the general manager at Garden State Park while Quigley was that track's president. "He was a beloved man," Orbann said. "I don't know anybody he didn't like and anybody that didn't like him. In our business, where jealously prevails, that's a remarkable thing." Orbann said he...