Battaglia filling in as Ellis caller

Mike Battaglia, the announcer at Turfway Park, will begin calling races at Ellis Park on an interim basis beginning Wednesday, filling in for the late Luke Kruytbosch.

Kruytbosch, the announcer at Churchill Downs and Turf Paradise as well as Ellis Park, was found dead Monday in his Evansville, Ind., apartment. He had apparently had a fatal heart attack, according to the local coroner's office. Kruytbosch was 47.

Dan Bork, the racing secretary at Ellis Park, said Battaglia would call the races there at least through Thursday while the track seeks a long-term replacement, but that Battaglia was not interested in taking the position full-time.

Memorial before Wednesday's races

A public memorial service for Kruytbosch was scheduled to be held at the track before Wednesday's races. Funeral arrangements remained uncertain Tuesday.