John Imbriale takes over from Larry Collmus as NYRA race-caller

John Imbriale, the longtime backup announcer at the New York Racing Association, will now be the full-time race-caller at Aqueduct, Belmont Park, and Saratoga, NYRA announced Wednesday in a press release. Imbriale replaces Larry Collmus, who, according to sources, could not reach agreement on a new contract with NYRA.

Imbriale’s relationship with NYRA dates back to 1979 when he won a New York Daily News contest to call a race and work in the NYRA press office. Imbriale worked in the press office during the 1980s, while getting the occasional opportunity to call races.

In 1990, Imbriale became the backup announcer to Tom Durkin and has been calling races, at least part-time, at NYRA ever since. Imbriale would call Aqueduct’s winter meet and fill in for Durkin when he worked the Triple Crown and Breeders’ Cup.

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Imbriale, 64, said Wednesday “it never really entered my mind” to become NYRA’s full-time announcer. He did call it an honor to join a list that includes Chic Anderson, Fred “Cappy” Capossela, Marshall Cassidy, Collmus, Tom Durkin, and Dave Johnson.

“Based on the quality of the guys who have called and the relatively small list, it’s an honor to have your name along with them and then it’s a challenge,” Imbriale said. “You think about Saratoga, it’s a daily challenge.”

When he wasn’t calling races at NYRA, Imbriale had other responsibilities there working with Harvey Pack on the “Inside Racing” program, and most recently he served as NYRA’s director of television production.

“John Imbriale is a central part of the fabric of Thoroughbred racing in New York,” Dave O’Rourke, NYRA’s president and CEO, said in a press release. “Johnny I’s high level of professionalism and flawless delivery are very well known to horseplayers and racing fans and we congratulate him on becoming the voice of NYRA.”

In August 2014, Collmus was hired by NYRA to replace Durkin. Collmus, who didn’t start calling at NYRA until April 2015, signed a five-year contract that expired at the end of 2019.

Collmus is still under contract at NBC to call the Triple Crown and the Breeders’ Cup. Collmus has called the last two Triple Crown winners – Justify in 2018 and American Pharoah in 2015.

On Wednesday, Collmus told Daily Racing Form he would pursue other opportunities.

“I’m looking forward to calling the big races and looking for what other opportunities may be out there for me in race calling,” Collmus, 53, said.

Said O’Rourke: “We would like to thank Larry Collmus for his many contributions to NYRA and wish him the very best as he takes the next step in his career.”

NYRA does not have a full-time backup announcer, though Anthony Stabile has been calling at least one race a day throughout Aqueduct’s winter meet.