| New Northlands Park thoroughbred voice: Sugar Doyle to call 2010 meet | | Print | |
| Written by Jonathan Huntington |
| Wednesday, 10 March 2010 19:13 |
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Sugar Doyle's enthusiastic style of announcing races is coming to the 2010 Northlands Park thoroughbred meet. "I am looking forward to Sugar's robust and entertaining style of calling races. He brings the same enthusiasm and excitement as our fans do when cheering their horses on to victory," said Northlands Park director of racing Kevin Behm. Doyle has become a fan-favourite in Edmonton as the voice of harness racing for the last five years. But the experience calling thoroughbreds in northern Alberta for the previous two summers will be key to his success in this new role at Northlands Park. "I started calling them during the summer of 2008 at Evergreen Park in Grande Prairie. I was very new to the thoroughbred scene, at the time, but I've gotten some great feedback from people involved in the industry since then. That helps with the confidence and there's nothing better than having a little bit of confidence in this profession," said Doyle.  Standing on the roof of the Northlands Park grandstand - overlooking the thoroughbred paddock - Doyle will have the best seat in the house this summer for the thoroughbred meet while calling from the press box. The 40-year-old native of Prince Edward Island admits there is going to be a slight change in his calls this summer compared to the harness meet. "It's funny, I was listening to some race calls from my first spring meet of 2006 (in Edmonton) and I feel I now sound nothing like I did then," remarked Doyle. "I was trying so hard back then - nervous at times. I still get nervous, but it's more like a nervous excitement - and that's a good thing. "I'm sure it will be same kind of thing when I start calling the thoroughbred races here in May. What you get from me on opening weekend may not necessarily be what you get come August. I'll look to find my comfort zone quickly and I'll be paying close attention to any feedback I receive as well. "I know I can be loud and I can get quite excited when I see spectacular things happening on the racetrack, but I do find myself being a little more reserved when it comes to calling the thoroughbreds. There's a lot more concentration involved on my part (compared to harness racing). I know things can happen very quickly in a thoroughbred race and I want to be on top of everything. "My goal, this summer, is to give everyone involved my very best each day that I go behind the mic. Getting to know the participants both on and off the track is a huge part of my game with harness racing - I hope to do the same with the thoroughbred crowd as well." Doyle will remain the voice of harness racing for the fall meet in Edmonton. However, the new Northlands Park contract means he will not return to Alberta Downs in Lacombe for the summer harness meet. -copyright thehorses.com |
| Last Updated on Wednesday, 10 March 2010 20:04 |
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