From Gulfstream Park
Ross Morton, Gulfstream Park’s announcer for 23 years and Finger Lakes’ announcer throughout its 46-year history, died the night of Feb. 20 in Hollywood after suffering a massive stroke. He was 74.
In a recent interview, Morton said his most memorable calls included Holy Bull and Spectacular Bid's victories in the Florida Derby (gr. I) in 1994 and 1979, respectively; Forego’s Gulfstream Park Handicap (gr. II) in 1974; Seattle Slew’s Flamingo Stakes (gr. I) in 1977; and John Henry’s Hialeah Turf Cup Handicap (gr. IIT) in 1980.
Morton, a native of Brooklyn, N.Y., was a Syracuse disc jockey when he applied for the track announcer spot at Finger Lakes. Except for the period he spent recovering from bypass surgery in 2005, he was the only announcer the track knew since it first opened in May, 1962. Morton parlayed that position into duties at both Gulfstream Park and Hialeah.
Referred to by many as “The Voice,” his deep, rich voice and precise diction made him a fan favorite and one of the most well-known track announcers in the United States.