Frank Mirahmadi, the popular track announcer at Oaklawn Park and most of the Northern California fair circuit, will serve as the track announcer at the upcoming Los Alamitos fall Thoroughbred meet that opens Friday, Sept. 5.
Ed Burgart, longtime voice of Quarter Horse racing at Los Alamitos, will continue to call the nighttime action at the Orange County track in addition to serving as host of the track's "Preview Show" and "Handicapper's Racing Report" airing on TVG.
"I have been the voice of Quarter Horse racing since 1981 and I think it is important to have a different Thoroughbred voice," said Burgart. "I made the suggestion to hire a different Thoroughbred announcer. Plus, the extra work was taking its toll on me since I have duties other than announcing for the night Quarter Horse racing programs."
A Los Angeles native, Mirahmadi has been the track announcer at Oaklawn since January, 2012. He also has worked at major tracks across the country and most recently filled in for Trevor Denman at Santa Anita Park for 10 racing days, from June 12-27. Mirahmadi has filled in for Burgart in the past as well, calling the Thoroughbred and Quarter Horse night action at the Cypress, Calif., track, most recently in September 2012. Mirahmadi also serves as a racing analyst on TVG on occasion.
Mirahmadi, who called his first race at Hollywood Park in 1992, is famous for his great impersonations of other race callers along with such celebrities as Marv Albert and Rodney Dangerfield. He was also the Santa Anita track announcer in the movie "Seabiscuit."
"Ed is one of the most professional and hardest working people in racing," said Brad McKinzie, general manager of the Los Alamitos Racing Association. "But between his day and night duties it was just too much. Ed and Frank are great friends and it was Ed's suggestion to have Frank call the daytime races. We are excited to have Frank join the team at Los Alamitos Race Course. We feel that with Frank and Ed we have the best 1-2 punch of announcers in the country."
Los Alamitos will host daytime Thoroughbred racing Sept. 5-21.
