Mirahmadi recovering from surgery; Lederman to call Monmouth races

Monmouth Park track announcer Frank Mirahmadi is recovering from emergency surgery at Jersey Shore Medical Center in Neptune, N.J. Mirahmadi became ill last weekend and had colon surgery Monday.

Mirahmadi said Friday that he credited Monmouth Park medical director Angelo Chinnici with saving his life.

"I was feeling bad Saturday and went and saw Dr. Chinnici, and he wanted me to go to the hospital then," Mirahmadi said. "But I was fighting him off."

According to Mirahmadi, Chinicci contacted him in the Monmouth announcer's booth Sunday and convinced him to go to the hospital.

"He called me after I had a wrong horse in the fourth race," Mirahmadi said. "He knows I don't do that."

Mirahmadi said his surgery for an obstructed colon lasted five hours.

"I can't explain the pain I was in," Mirahmadi said. "I'm getting better every day. I'm out of bed sitting in a chair. I have been up walking with the physical therapist."

Longtime Mid-Atlantic announcer Larry Lederman will fill in for Mirahmadi during his recovery.

Mirahmadi, a 48-year-old native of Southern California, has been one of the most colorful announcers in the business the past 20 years. Known for his quick wit and impressions, he is in his second year as the Monmouth announcer.

In addition to working for TVG as a racing analyst, Mirahmadi has previously called races at Santa Anita, Los Alamitos, the Northern California Fair circuit, Oaklawn Park, Louisiana Downs, Turf Paradise, and Hialeah Park.

Mirahmadi also has recreated race calls for the movies “Seabiscuit” and “Ruffian.”