A LOSS FOR RACING

The Thoroughbred racing world is reeling from the shocking and sad news that Luke Kruytbosch, one of the premier track announcers in the nation and probably best known as the voice of Churchill Downs, passed away last Sunday night in his apartment in Evansville, Ind. He was 47.

Kruytbosch had told friends Sunday at Ellis Park that he wasn’t feeling well, Tim Ethridge wrote for the Evansville Courier & Press.

“He was looking forward to getting some rest and then getting back to Ellis [when racing resumed] on Wednesday,” said Steve Cato, who works in an office adjacent to the Ellis Park announcer’s stand. “You could tell he wasn’t feeling right, but we were racing so he was here.”

Ethridge reported that Don Erk of the Vanderburgh County Coroner’s Office said the cause of death was “probably a heart attack.”

After the conclusion of the Churchill Downs meet, Kruytbosch had called the races for the first three days (Friday, Saturday and Sunday) of the 2008 Ellis Park season prior to his death.

Nearly a year ago, yours truly and Carolyn Conley spent a couple of days at Ellis Park to cover the Claiming Crown for HRTV. We both spent quite a bit of time with Kruytbosch.

The night before the Claiming Crown, Ellis Park hosted the traditional Claiming Crown party. At that party, Kruytbosch and I had a chance to chat. One thing I remember vividly is how eager he was to tell me what he had found out about Kenai River’s name. Kenai River was to compete the following afternoon in the Claiming Crown Iron Horse.

“He’s named after a popular fishing village in Alaska,” Kruytbosch said. “I called there to find out how to say the name.”

When the Claiming Crown bash was winding down, Kruytbosch mentioned that there was another party going on at a different part of the track.

“Interested?” he asked, with a twinkle in his eye.

And with that, we soon found ourselves at a smaller, more informal party, featuring a band and dancing.

As I sat with Luke and watched Carolyn have a good time dancing with local jockey legend “Cowboy” Jones, I asked Luke what was the favorite of all the races he had called.

“Oh, I’d have to say my first Kentucky Derby,” he replied. “That was Charismatic in 1999. To get a chance to call the Kentucky Derby was really a huge thrill.”

After Charismatic, Kruytbosch called the Kentucky Derby victories by Fusaichi Pegasus, Monarchos, War Emblem, Funny Cide, Smarty Jones, Giacomo, Barbaro, Street Sense and Big Brown.

Kruytbosch was only the fifth announcer in the 134-year history of Churchill Downs to have called the Kentucky Derby for the on-track crowd. The first was Gene Schmidt, followed by Chic Anderson, Mike Battaglia and Kurt Becker.

When Kruytbosch called his first Kentucky Derby, he became the first person to call both the Run for the Roses and Quarter Horse racing’s biggest event, the All American Futurity.

Born in Virginia (like Secretariat), Kruytbosch was a proud graduate of the University of Arizona Race Track Industry Program with degrees in animal science and agriculture. He started his career as a track announcer at the little tracks that comprise the fair circuit in Arizona.

Kruytbosch got his first big break when he became the track announcer at Hollywood Park in 1996. After three years there, he became the announcer at both historic Churchill Downs and Ellis Park. In recent years, he also called the races at Kentucky Downs and Turf Paradise.

“I have a terrific circuit,” he told me. “There’s Churchill and the Derby in the spring, Ellis in the summer, Kentucky Downs and Churchill Downs in the fall and Turf Paradise in the winter. I really love Ellis. It’s such a fun meet, which is perfect after the all the pressure of the Churchill spring meet and the Derby. Calling races at Churchill is fun. But there’s also a lot of pressure. And I get to spend each winter in Phoenix. That’s a great place to be in the winter.”

I have known many track announcers through the years. A large number of them have healthy egos. That’s understandable to a certain extent because it takes a person with a lot of confidence to be a track announcer. It’s a difficult job. Each race presents the challenge of memorizing the horse’s names and the jockey’s silks and describing the action without making a mistake. With each new race, an announcer puts his neck on the chopping block.

Kruytbosch made it look easy.

“He spoke directly to you,” Churchill Downs spokesman John Asher said in a Louisville Courier-Journal story by Jennie Rees. “He always told you what was happening, and you didn’t need a thesaurus to get through his race call. He told you the story with a great economy of language. The style he had and his voice, there was a real timeless quality to his calls. His voice would have fit any call in Derby history, in any era. He’d have sounded just as natural calling Citation in ’48 as he was calling Big Brown’s win in 2008.”

Steve Sexton, president of Churchill Downs, said in a statement:

“The entire Churchill Downs family and all of racing are deeply saddened and shocked by the passing of Luke Kruytbosch. Luke was a marvelous talent with a timeless announcing style that connected directly with fans throughout North America. He was a gregarious person who loved life and was a great ambassador for racing. But Luke was never happier than when he was in the announcer’s both -- especially on the first Saturday in May for the Kentucky Derby. This is a terrible loss for our track and our sport, and Luke will be deeply missed.”

Ron Geary, owner of Ellis Park, said in an Evansville Courier & Press story: “Luke was among the top three callers in the country, and we were fortunate to have him as the voice of Ellis Park. He was great at his job, and he was a great ambassador for the racing industry. No one is going to be able to fill those shoes. This is just a sad, sad day for all of us.”

As another example of Kruytbosch’s class, he helped many aspiring track announcers get a foot in the door. He also would become a mentor to them, helping them get better at their craft.

Just two examples are Frank Mirahmadi and John Lies. Mirahmadi currently is the track announcer for the Northern California fairs. Lies is calling the races at Lone Star Park. Both have told me on numerous occasions how helpful Kruytbosch had been to them.

I spoke on the phone Monday with Mirahmadi, who was devastated by the news of Kruytbosch’s death.

“I never met one person who ever sad anything bad about Luke Kruytbosch,” Mirahmadi said.

“Me neither,” I replied. “And how many people do we meet in our entire lives that we can say that about?”

After getting to know Kruytbosch at Ellis Park last year, Carolyn Conley described him as a “cuddly teddy bear.”

That put it quite well, I thought. Always smiling, always friendly, Kruytbosch was someone everyone thoroughly enjoyed being with.

“He was the absolute best, man,” said Mike Pegram, owner of 1998 Kentucky Derby winner Real Quiet, in an Evansville Courier & Press story. “If everybody was like him, we’d have a better industry.

“The man did nothing but have a smile on his face. The first time I met him, I was sitting at the bar at the Crowne Plaza by Hollywood Park. He came up and said, ‘You don’t know me, but I know you’ and introduced himself. We were friends ever since. You don’t meet many friends or have people like him in your life.”

Asher said his favorite memory of the man was from Kruytbosch’s first Kentucky Derby in 1999.

“His lifetime goal was to call the Derby, and he’d finally done that; he’d brought Charismatic home before 151,000,” Asher recalled. “You’d think after a day like that, you might want to sit back and relax a little bit, congratulate yourself on a career accomplishment. The next day he was at River Downs, watching races and betting bottom-level claimers. To me, that summed up Luke more than anything. He really loved the game, and that was evident in his work.”

I’m struck by the similarities between Kruytbosch and Tim Russert. Both were large men, both physically and in their respective fields.

Russert, moderator of “Meet the Press,” died of a heart attack June 13. In addition to the enormous respect for him as a journalist, Russert was beloved by those lucky enough to know him. Russert also was known for being friendly with strangers who would approach him. After his death, one of his colleagues, Andrea Mitchell of NBC News, talked about how people would recognize Russert at an airport. Russert would always take the time to talk with them.

Kruytbosch likewise was respected for his work, beloved by those who knew him and friendly with strangers who approached him.

Two friends of mine, Pat and Rick Lawyer, Thoroughbred breeders in California, expressed to me their sorrow after learning of Kruytbosch’s passing. The Lawyers recalled being at a restaurant years ago for dinner to celebrate Pat’s birthday.

“Luke was there with friends,” Pat said. “When the [restaurant] owner found out we were huge fans, she had him come over to say hello. Luke was so kind and spent some time with us just talking horses and racing. This is not just a loss to Churchill, it is a total loss to the entire industry and Luke will be sorely missed.”

He will, indeed.

HOT OWNERS

Big Brown worked five furlongs Monday in 1:01.20 at Aqueduct as he continues to gear up for the Grade I, $1 million Haskell Invitational at Monmouth Park on Aug. 3. Exercise rider and assistant trainer Michelle Nevin was aboard the colt for trainer Rick Dutrow.

Monday’s work was Big Brown’s third since he was eased in the Belmont Stakes on June 7. His times have been progressively faster. He worked five furlongs in a slow 1:06.73 at Aqueduct on July 2, then covered the same distance in 1:02.86 on July 7.

Dutrow timed Big Brown galloping out six furlongs Monday in 1:15, Daily Racing Form’s Dave Litfin reported.

“We’re in good shape,” Dutrow told Litfin.

As for IEAH Stables, how about the roll they have been on since Big Brown’s Belmont debacle? They have won Belmont Park’s Grade I Suburban Handicap on June 28 with 40-1 longshot Frost Giant, Hollywood Park’s Grade I American Oaks on July 5 with Pure Clan, Calder’s Grade II Smile Sprint Handicap with Benny the Bull last Saturday and Belmont’s Grade III Poker Handicap with Kip Deville last Sunday.

Benny the Bull extended his winning streak to five by taking the Smile Sprint on Calder’s Summit of Speed program. A noteworthy aspect regarding his string of victories is each one has come on a different surface.

After winning Laurel’s Grade I De Francis Memorial Dash last November, he took the Sunshine Millions Sprint at Gulfstream Park in January. “Benny” then was sent to Dubai, where he was victorious in the world’s richest sprint, the Group I, $2 million Golden Shaheen, in March. That was followed by a win in Belmont Park’s Grade II True North Handicap in June, a prelude to his two-length triumph in the Smile Sprint at Calder last weekend with Edgar Prado in the saddle.

“He impresses me each time I ride him,” Prado said after Benny the Bull’s Smile Sprint win. Prado has been aboard “Benny” for all of the victories in his current streak.

Benny the Bull completed six furlongs in 1:11.41 and earned a 105 Beyer Speed Figure. Michael Iavarone said “Benny” is likely to run next in the Grade I Forego Handicap at Saratoga on Aug. 30, followed by the Grade I Breeders’ Cup Sprint at Oak Tree on Oct. 25.

Golden Spikes, Indyanne and Mistical Plan also won graded stakes races on last Saturday’s Summit of Speed card at Calder.

Owned by Rob Murphy’s M375 (SLEW upside down) Thoroughbreds and Suarez Racing, Golden Spikes ran six furlongs in 1:11.20 (faster than Benny the Bull’s time in the Smile Sprint) to take the Grade II Carry Back Stakes by three-parts of a length with Elvis Trujillo in the irons. It was Golden Spike’s first graded stakes victory. The 3-year-old colt posted a 102 Beyer.

In my HRTV pre-race interview with Murphy, a former major league relief pitcher, I introduced him as Rob Dibble, another major league relief pitcher, before immediately correcting myself.

“That’s all right,” a gracious Murphy said with a chuckle. “Dibble was one of my teammates.”

My faux pas led to some people kidding Murphy after the Carry Back. Just before Golden Spikes entered the winner’s circle, a number of people were saying to Murphy, “Way to go Dibble!”

Murphy, who has been a Thoroughbred owner and breeders for quite some time now, then led Golden Spikes into the winner’s circle to pose for pictures.

After the final picture was taken, one person mentioned to me that he would like it if I would refer to Rob Murphy as Rob Dibble again next time since it worked this time. The person introduced himself as Rob Murphy’s father.

“Oh, it’s nice to meet you…Mr. Dibble,” I said.

That brought a hearty laugh from Rob Murphy’s father, who then replied, “And it’s very nice to meet you, Mr. Black.”

Later, I asked Rob Murphy what might be next for Golden Spikes.

“I would think probably the King’s Bishop,” Dibble, er, I mean, Murphy said.

The Grade I King’s Bishop Stakes is scheduled for Aug. 23 at Saratoga.

Indyanne was scintillating on the Summit of Speed program, romping to a 9 1/2-length victory in the Grade III Azalea Stakes to remain undefeated and tested in four lifetime starts. She previously had raced exclusively in Northern California.

Owned by Jill and David Heerensperger, Indyanne’s final time in the Azalea was 1:10.82, quite a bit faster than Benny the Bull’s Smile Sprint clocking of 1:11.41. Ridden by Russell Baze and trained by Greg Gilchrist, Indyanne earned a career-best Beyer Speed Figure of 108. Her previous best figure had been a 94 at Bay Meadows.

After the Azalea, Gilchrist told me that the Grade I Test Stakes at Saratoga on Aug. 2 probably is next for Indyanne. That means the Test could be a real test between two daughters of Indian Charlie in Indyanne and Indian Blessing. Winner of the Grade I Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies in 2007 en route to an Eclipse Award as champion 2-year-old filly, Indian Blessing recently ran perhaps her best race so far by taking the Grade I Prioress Stakes from off the pace by 5 1/4 lengths at Belmont Park on July 5 while recording a 109 Beyer.

Baze and Gilchrist also collaborated to win a pair of Summit of Speed races in the past. They took the 2005 Carry Back with Lost in the Fog and 2006 Azalea with Victorina, both owned by Harry Aleo, who passed away this year on June 21. Lost in the Fog won 11 of 14 career starts and an Eclipse Award as the nation’s champion sprinter of 2005 before dying of cancer in 2006.

While IEAH Stables have been piling up graded stakes wins since the Belmont, how about the big day enjoyed by owner Paul Reddam last Saturday?

Mistical Plan carried Reddam’s white and purple silks to an emphatic 5 3/4-length win in the Grade I Princess Rooney Handicap at Calder. Ridden by Corey Nakantani and conditioned by Doug O’Neill, Mistical Plan became a Grade I winner with this performance.

A short time later Saturday, Red Rocks won the Grade I Man o’ War Stakes by two lengths at Belmont Park for Reddam and trainer Brian Meehan. Red Rocks spoiled the grass debut of 2007 Horse of the Year Curlin, who finished second.

Red Rocks took the 2006 Breeders’ Cup Turf at Churchill Downs. The 2008 Turf at Oak Tree is his next major goal.

HORSE BITS

Casino Drive certainly looks even better after the Grade II wins by Golden Spikes at Calder last Saturday and Mint Lane in the July 6 Dwyer at Belmont. Mint Lane and Golden Spikes finished second and fourth, respectively, behind Casino Drive in the Grade II Peter Pan Stakes at Belmont Park on May 10. Casino Drive was entered in the Grade I Belmont Stakes on June 7 only to be scratched due to a bruised foot…Casino Drive has entered quarantine in Japan as the first step to returning to the U.S., Michele MacDonald reported for The Blood-Horse. The colt is being aimed for the Breeders’ Cup Classic at Oak Tree on Oct. 25, with a possible start before that in the Goodwood Stakes at Oak Tree on Sept. 27…Thanks to everyone at Calder (most especially Michael Cronin, vice president, marketing, and director of communications Michele Blanco) for their help to me with regard to HRTV’s on-site coverage of last Saturday’s Summit of Speed. Thanks also to Calder handicapper Toby Callet, who kindly provided me with a wash cloth to help me cope with the heat and humidity…While at Calder, I met Thoroughbred sales consultant Thomas McGreevy, who said that he bought Midnight Lute for $90,000 as a yearling before pinhooking him for $300,000 as a 2-year-old. As a 4-year-old in 2007, Midnight Lute won the Breeders’ Cup Sprint en route to an Eclipse Award as champion sprinter. “If I’d known he’d win the Breeders’ Cup Sprint, I would have never sold him,” McGreevy said…Trainer Gerald James was another person I met last weekend at Calder. “I once worked for LeRoy Jolley,” James said. “I was Meadow Star’s groom.” Meadow Star won the 1990 Breeders’ Cup Juvenile as a 1-5 favorite and was voted the Eclipse Award as champion 2-year-old filly. That remains the record for the lowest odds by a Breeders’ Cup winner…It was nice to see former jockey star John Sellers at Calder. Sellers looked good, especially since he said he has been battling cancer. He guided Carry Back to victory in the 1961 Kentucky Derby. Appropriately, Sellers presented the trophy after last Saturday’s Carry Back Stakes. I was at Longacres in 1967 when Sellers won the Longacres Mile aboard Kings Favor. “That was a lot of fun,” Sellers said when I mentioned that to him…I also had a nice conversation with some racing fans between races last Saturday near the Calder’s winner’s circle. They had a betting angle for me that they say is very successful. The angle is to go with a horse sells for a lot of money, with the horse being by a sire that stands for a low stud fee. An example, they said, would be a horse that sells for $400,000, with the horse’s sire standing for a $5,000 stud fee. I certainly will keep an eye on that angle.

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