Calling the Big ‘Cap: Hear the Race Unfold

Words on paper. No rising wall of noise from 70,177 throats. No thunder of hoofbeats down the stretch. Just words on paper.

Writing about a race and calling it live are two totally different propositions. The writer has time to think, to compose, to alter and, hopefully, to improve.

Not so the race caller. He gets one chance and one chance only.

What follows is Trevor Denman’s call of the Santa Anita Handicap March 2. The race lasted exactly two minutes. Denman’s verbal picture, painted within those 120 seconds, consists of exactly 339 words.

If there is a wrong one among them, it isn’t obvious.

“The flag is up for the one million dollar Santa Anita Handicap. They’re sent on their way. “Precisionist came away smooth as silk and goes for the lead. Herat now sprints up on the outside to take over. Vanlandingham getting up second. Now Precisionist at the rail is third. Fast Account is fourth. Here comes Greinton to get fifth. My Habitony is racing behind him. Hatim is back five lengths off them. They’re going along at a good pace up front. Right Con is eight lengths off the lead and then comes Dahar. Alphabatim being hurried up 12 lengths off the lead, then comes Proof. Roo Art has 15 lengths to make up. Gate Dancer trails by two. “They pass the three-quarter pole. The longshot Herat sets the pace but Precisionist is breathing down his neck right there in second. Vanlandingham having to be asked to keep up with the fast pace. Fast Account is hugging the rail. Greinton is on the outside now, moving up fourth. Greinton five lengths off them, then comes My Habitony. Hatim now has nine lengths to make up, then it’s Right Con and Dahar. Alphabatim at the rail. Roo Art is still 15 lengths off the lead. Proof on the outside and the trailer Gate Dancer. “They’re going to the three-furlong pole. The longshot Herat continues to lead it by two lengths. Precisionist sitting right there second, Chris McCarron ready to pounce on that leader. But here comes the danger--Greinton now moving up into third. Vanlandingham fourth. On the outside Hatim is making a mild move. “They turn for home. Herat continues to find more. Herat by three. McCarron’s going to the whip on Precisionist. Greinton is closing in on the outside. Herat keeps on finding more. Greinton is out after him. Precisionist not doing enough. Here comes Greinton on the outside. Laffit Pincay brings Greinton up alongside Herat. It’s Greinton coming through to win the Big ‘Cap.” Words on paper? Here, yes. But those who were at Santa Anita on March 2 will argue otherwise. To them, the words and race were one and the same.