Michael Wrona, the voice of Santa Anita Park, will call the races at the boutique five-day meeting at Kentucky Downs next summer, it was announced Tuesday. The 52-year-old native of Australia was named the permanent replacement for Trevor Denman at Santa Anita in 2016 following an international search.
“We are very excited to have somebody with Michael Wrona's level of expertise and stature coming to work our meet as we continue to find ways to enhance the Kentucky Downs experience,” said Ted Nicholson, Kentucky Downs' senior vice president and general manager. “I'm loving the fact that we're going to have Michael calling the races, with the excitement, accuracy and fun he infuses. His accent doesn't hurt, providing a foreign flavor that fits superbly with a track as unique as Kentucky Downs. Michael's flair is well-known. He always throws something interesting into his calls that make them different and memorable.”
Wrona began calling races at Kilcoy Racecourse near his hometown of Brisbane in 1983 and made his way to America in 1990, serving as the announcer at Hollywood Park for the balance of that season. Wrona famously described Cigar's record-equaling 16th consecutive victory in the 1996 Citation Challenge (video) when he minded the booth at Arlington Park and has also called races at Fair Grounds, Golden Gate Fields and Lone Star Park.
WATCH: Cigar winning the Citation Challenge, Michael Wrona on the mic
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