Fred Capossela
Fred "Cappy" Capossela (1902–1991) was an American thoroughbred race track announcer.
Early life and career
Capossela was born in Brooklyn in 1902.[1][2] He got his start in thoroughbred racing in 1926 as a writer for the New York Evening Post.[2] He also covered the sport for the Brooklyn Eagle.[1][3] In 1934, Capossela called his first race at Tropical Park, where he filled in for the regular announcer for two weeks.[4]
Announcing
In 1940, Capossela became assistant track announcer for New York's four thoroughbred race tracks, Aqueduct Racetrack, Belmont Park, Saratoga Race Course, and Jamaica Race Course.[2][3] Three years later he was promoted to lead announcer.[2] He also called races at Florida's Hialeah Park Race Track.[3] From 1950 to 1960, Capossela was the "Voice of the Triple Crown" on CBS Radio and Television.[2] He also called televised races on WNEW-TV's Schaefer Circle of Sports.[5]
Capossela was known for his high-pitched nasal voice, his distinctive style in saying "It is now post time", and his accurate calls.[3][6]
Late life and death
Capossela retired in 1971.[3] After his retirement, he regularly attended weekend races at Hialeah and later at tracks in Southern California. Capossela died on April 3, 1991 at his home in Upland, California following a stroke.[1][6]
In 1993, the Swift Stakes at Aqueduct Racetrack was renamed the Fred "Cappy" Capossela Stakes in his honor.
References
<templatestyles src="Reflist/styles.css" />
Cite error: Invalid <references> tag; parameter "group" is allowed only.
<references />, or <references group="..." />- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 3.4 Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
