Oaklawn Announcer Vic Stauffer is this week’s The Player’s Edge. The veteran handicapper and race caller will stop by to share his backside to the booth story and make some Oaklawn picks for Saturday’s card, including:
Race 5 -$300,000 Honeybee Stakes
Race 11 – $1 million Rebel Stakes
Race 12 – $100,000 AOC
Follow Vic on Twitter: https://twitter.com/goofonroof
Q&A with Oaklawn Announcer Vic Stauffer
HRR: You left school after the 8th grade to pursue a career in horse racing. What made you so confident at such a young age to take that chance?
Vic Stauffer: It wasn’t taking a chance. It was following a dream. I was very sure I would find my way in some capacity at the races. I took the GED to appease my parents and came to the races.
Oaklawn Park Announcer Vic Stauffer
HRR: Along the way, you did a lot of different things on the backside before becoming an announcer. Of all the other jobs you had, aside from calling the races, what’s been your favorite and why?
Vic Stauffer: After being an announcer, my favorite job has been Steward. I love this game and strongly believe it should and can be played on a fair, unbiased and level playing field. Being an official is my way of trying to give back to the sport that’s been so good to me. I also very much enjoyed being a jockey’s agent. It’s the ultimate backstage pass. When you win a race, it truly feels like you’re part of the team. Also, it pays MUCH MUCH more than any other jobs I’ve done.
HRR: How did you catch your break and move from the backside to the booth? (Great name for your YouTube Show)
Vic Stauffer: I first moved from the backside to the press box as a chart caller/columnist for DRF. That evolved into pursuing being an announcer. My first job was as the backup announcer at Garden State Park. I was hired by a man named Steve Nagler who would go on to win a media Eclipse Award. Before I got my big break at Gulfstream. I was the Crash Davis of announcers. In the bush leagues at small tracks for many years. Doug Donn hired me at Gulfstream Park.
HRR: You’ve called the races at a few tracks and weren’t sure if you would continue your career after Hollywood Park closed. Oaklawn came calling and you saw it as a “Perfect Fit.” Arkansas is a long way from Hollywood, in many ways. What made the Hot Springs’ track a perfect fit?
Vic Stauffer: What made Oaklawn the perfect fit is the quality of racing. I wasn’t going from Dodger Stadium to Albuquerque. After being blessed to call horses like LAVA MAN, CESARIO and ZENYATTA. I would only come back to call the best. Now it’s been WHITMORE, MITOLE, MONOMOY GIRL and LETRUSKA et al.
HRR: While at Hollywood Park, you saw ZENYATTA’S potential after just a pair of races. Tell us how you knew?
Vic Stauffer: All of ZENYATTA’S races that I called were at Hollywood Park. She did win the Apple Blossom twice at Oaklawn, but those races were called by Terry Wallace. She was impressive in her first start, a maiden breaking sprint, so she was on my radar. She was otherworldly in her second start. She looked like Jackie Joyner-Kersee against a group of middle school girls. I took a shot at calling her a future superstar. Fortunately, she made me look smart. Sometimes we hit longshots in this game. I owe such an immense debt of gratitude to her.
HRR: You are also known for your handicapping skills, competing in multiple National Handicapping Championships. How do you approach handicapping races outside of Oaklawn?
Vic Stauffer: No different than how I handicap at Oaklawn. I try to exploit mistakes made by the betting public. They are going to be wrong 70% of the time. The best way to be successful at horse playing is no different than any other skill. The greats have a foundation of talent but then take it to the next level through hard work, perseverance, and dedication. I study my form for hours. I watch replays for hours. If I can discover one thing, I know for sure that others haven’t unearthed it. I can turn that into money at the windows.
HRR: Speaking of doing things differently, you’ve been around the game for a while. There is a ton of talk that horse racing is in trouble and needs outside intervention – HISA (Horseracing Integrity and Safety Act). Do you agree with downbeat sentiment, why or why not?
Vic Stauffer: Horse racing is going through a very tough time. There are many very caring talented people who are working tirelessly to achieve better days. I’m just a piano player. However, I support them 100% and will do whatever I can to help.
HRR: When you aren’t at the races, what do you do for fun?
Vic Stauffer: I love Broadway Musicals, Surfing, Officiating sports ( High School Basketball and Baseball) and playing golf.
HRR: Finally, if horseplayers make it down to Hot Springs for a day at Oaklawn, what’s your go to spot for great food, drinks and what dish & drinks are absolute must haves?
Vic Stauffer: La Hacienda for Mexican food (street tacos & queso fundido) The Bugler dinner house at Oaklawn. Everything on the menu is great but order a bottle of wine so you can check out the amazing decanters they pour the wine into.
