Lies leaving Lone Star to work expanded role at Will Rogers

John Lies, who for more than a decade has been the announcer at Lone Star Park near Dallas, has resigned his position to take on the role of racing secretary and announcer at both Will Rogers Downs and Fair Meadows in Oklahoma.

Lies said Friday he will continue to serve as announcer for Kentucky Downs and as simulcast host at Del Mar.

Lies, a 39-year-old native of San Diego, has been the announcer for the Thoroughbred meet at Will Rogers Downs for the past three years. His role with the track will expand to racing secretary with Jesse Ullery, formerly in the position, now based in Kentucky,

Will Rogers Downs opens March 14. The first day of entries is March 8.

“I’m real excited,” he said of his expanded role. “I have mixed emotions and sentimental feelings leaving Lone Star Park, but the time has come.”

Lies said he has worked in the racing offices at Del Mar and Will Rogers Downs. He said he was an entry clerk at Will Rogers Downs the past three years but also assisted Ullery in other aspects of putting cards together. He said he became interested in the racing-secretary position when a vacancy opened up at Will Rogers Downs.

Lies said the meet schedules in Oklahoma flow well with his responsibilities at Kentucky Downs and Del Mar. He now makes his home in La Jolla, Calif., near Del Mar.