Around Monticello Raceway he’s been affectionately known as 'The Duke of Oil,' but make no mistake about it, Howard Oil is a world-class race announcer
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And he’ll show his prowess on Saturday, August 14, 'Back to the Track Night,' when the veteran announcer will call the races from the winner's circle on a portable microphone.
As part of the attraction on the national harness racing promotion night, Oil will also handicap each race from a vantage point which will afford all race patrons the ability to interact with him.
Over the years, besides his announcing duties, Oil has authored a handicapping tip sheet which is available for every Monticello race card.
“We think that having Howard ply his trade in front of the racing fans instead of above them, that it will add another layer of excitement to our special Back to the Track racing program that evening," noted Monticello Raceway Assistant General Manager Shawn Wiles.
Oil came to the 'Mighty M' back in 1984 and has been the voice of Monticello Raceway for over 27 years. His signature 'who do you like?' call as a tight field rounds the final turn and heads for paydirt has become an enjoyable part of his repertoire, and Oil prides himself by giving the race winner his last call; and over the years he hardly has missed a cue.
But Oil’s outdoor race calls will be just a part of the evening’s festivities. Also featured will be an all-expense paid trip the world famous Little Brown Jug in late September. The 'Jug,' which is raced at the Delaware County Fairgrounds in Delaware, Ohio, is the most well-attended harness race in North America year-in-and year-out, attracting over 50,000 fans.
A t-shirt giveaway (while supplies last), free official race programs, and the introduction of inter-track wagering between Monticello Raceway and Tioga Downs, known as the Dueling Doubles, will also be taking place.
The United States Trotting Association-sponsored Back to the Track promotion is aimed at bringing back the former faithful and nearly every harness track in operation during this time of the year will be involved.
Monticello Raceway went out of its normal schedule in order to join in the promotion.
“We (Monticello Raceway) race during the afternoons Mondays through Thursdays, but we so wanted to be a part of the industry-wide promo that we evened added a special race date on August 14,” Wiles added.
The Saturday racing program will coincide with a Chevy Malibu giveaway in the casino that night.
First-race post time will be at 7:00 p.m., with the Chevy Malibu giveaway slated for 11:00 p.m. in the casino.
(Monticello Raceway)
Have to say, it's very
Have to say, it's very heartening to see all the initiatives that have been put in place to promote and support harness racing this summer and all the people willing to help out with ideas and with putting these initiatives in to practise... This sport ain't dead yet, people - not my a long chalk!