Bill Downes
@billdownes1
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Horse racetrack announcer. Packers, Chelsea, Pacers, and Mariners fan. Marquette University grad.
Joined October 2011
Lammas winning the San Francisco Mile at Golden Gate Fields on April 27, 2024.
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My Dad passed away peacefully late Sunday night. I was the luckiest son in the world. He loved me, family, friends, the Green Bay Packers, and horse racing in that order. He was an incredible people person. People weren't strangers for long around him. Loved that quality. RIP Dad
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Found this gem from 2017 when Monomoy Girl broke her maiden at Indiana Grand.
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I'm leaving Emerald Downs after two seasons and taking the Golden Gate Fields announcing job for their final year. I really enjoyed ED and Seattle and want to thank Phil Ziegler for hiring me. I will miss working with Vince Bruun and Joe Withee in particular.
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Bad personal news. My Mom passed away on Monday morning on her birthday at the age of 76. Still best of friends with my late Dad even after a divorce, I hope that he and my late sister welcome her to heaven.
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Horse racing is not just a paycheck to me, it is my genuine passion. I look forward to exciting announcing opportunities in the future. As they say: “Love what you do, and you’ll never work a day in your life”, this has been my good fortune. See you soon everyone. 5. end.
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I have some personal & professional news that I would like to share with everyone. I will not be returning to Indiana Grand in 2022. As most people that follow me know, I have had quite a few significant changes in my personal life throughout the past couple of yrs. (continued).
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A new record of $5.979 million bet at Indiana Grand on Indiana Derby day!! That shatters the old record of about $4.1 million. @IGRaceCourse @RacingRachelM @ericahalstrom #ThankYouBettors.
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I just got word from Arlington that they will name the 4th race on Sunday May 26 after my late Father!! Come one, come all!! Thank you to @HowardSudberry for making this happen!.
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A year ago, I lost my Dad to cancer. I am awful with remembering anniversaries especially bad ones. Wish I could talk to him now about fun things like the Packers draft or hitting a pick 4 or when the turf course would open up at Undiana Grand. He packed a ton of life in 85 yrs.
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My stepDad, Larry, passed away last Friday. My parents got divorced when I was very young though it was not an angry divorce. I essentially had three parents growing up. Larry was as important as my Mom and Dad in a terrific childhood. All three of them are gone but not forgotten.
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We had my Dad's Celebration of Life yesterday at Players Pub and Grill. I think my Dad would have been proud. Plenty of Miller Lite (his fav beer) was consumed. Thank you to everyone that took the time to be there. Meant a ton to me, Megan, and his brothers and sisters.
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What a day handle wise at Indiana Grand!! $3.027 million dollars bet on the 10 race card. It is the biggest non-Indiana Derby handle day ever for this track!! Thank you bettors!!! @ericahalstrom @RacingRachelM @IGRaceCourse @IGTammy.
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Since it is @KentuckyDerby week, my late Dad had quite a collection of tickets dating back to 1974. He never missed til 2018 even though I dont have all of the tickets. Lots of post Derby parties. lol.
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If u don't get why Mahomes slid in bounds at the 2 yd line after getting a first down then u literally don't understand football.
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Warming for the 2nd race at Emerald Downs with Mt. Rainier looking on.
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$4,104,656 bet on the ten race Indiana Derby card at Indiana Grand. It is a new record handle at Indiana Grand!!!!!!!!! #ThankYouBettors @RacingRachelM @NancyUryHolthus @Peterlurievo @IGRaceCourse @IGTammy @DRFHersh.
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$2.7 million in handle on the ten race Wed card at Indiana Grand. I don't remember a number like that in April before so thank u bettors!! Sure the pick 5 carryover helped but that's a huge number 4 us especially w/out the turf course in use yet. @IGRaceCourse @ericahalstrom.
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We had a QUADRUPLE DQ in the 10th race at Indiana Grand. Not sure how else to describe it. 2 and 4 DQ'd for interference on 3. The 1 DQ'd for interference on the 2. The 4 DQ'd for interference on the 7. @RacingRachelM Never had I seen anything like this.
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I am taking a mini sabbatical from announcing the races at Indiana Grand starting on Friday. Personal issues have come up. I will make an announcement on the reason in the near future.
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All vaccinated! 2nd shot of moderna three hours ago. Feel great so far.
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New racing schedule at Indiana Grand. Opening day will be Monday June 15. A Monday-Tuesday-Wednesday-Thursday schedule is on tap with a first post at 2:20 pm eastern time. 90 racing dates total.
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Made it to Seattle area. Opening day @EmeraldDowns is this Sunday. Entries taken tomorrow for opening day.
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$2.122 million bet on the ten race card at Emerald Downs. Thank u bettors!!.
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well, that was a ton of fun! Thank u to @JohnGDooley, @HowardSudberry, and everyone at @ArlingtonRacing for making this day happen. I will never forget it.
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Just stings. Earlier this month, Jon and a few of my other Ind Grand colleagues were planning for the 2020 racing season. And now, he is gone. Hard to process. I feel so sad for his wife, Janie, and his family.
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Okay, here's the update on jocks and horses. Jocks first, Ramos walked back into jock's room. Gomez and Jimenez were transported to hospital with non life threatening injuries. 1/2.
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$2.268 million bet on the ten-race card at Emerald Downs on a Sunday. Fun day of racing. Thank you bettors!!.
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Today is a happy day since I know Arlington will be around for decades to come. Illinois came to their senses and approved slots for the tracks, sports gambling, and weed. I like the first two.
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She is from there, and after 14 years of following me in the name of my career and caring for myself and my family during these times, it feels time to let her have a home base where she is supported. 4.
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Year number 7 for me at Indiana Grand in the books. One more race to go on the closing day card at Indiana Grand. It was a record handle year at IG!!! Next year's schedule will be similar with a few tweeks. I think u guys will like it. It will come out in a few weeks.
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Longacres Mile Day is in the books. Handle on the ten-race card was $3.205 million which was the second highest handle day in Emerald Downs history!! #ThankYouBettors.
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Always happy when trainer Lon Wiggins wins a race at Indiana Grand. He used to share beers with my late Dad at Arlington back in the day.,.
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Huge week for handle at Indiana Grand!! Over 2.4 million on all four days opening week. We are off til Monday.
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on my way out to the west coast for the start of Golden Gate Fields, only a 2,600 mile road trip from eastern time zone that only gets beat by @BeemieAwards but this is my second 2.5k mile roadie in three months and third in eight months. Thank God for Sirius/XM.
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Congratulatons to @davidgutfreund for winning the NHC Tour and $100k. Simply an incredible seven weeks to come out of no where to win it.
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$100,000 guaranteed pick 5 on Indiana Derby Day this Wednesday! Starts on 8th race. No jackpot rules. Indiana Oaks is 10th race and Indiana Derby is 11th race. #ComeGetSome.
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Nine race card at Emerald Downs with some good betting races starts in 45 mins. Weather is glorious. Track is fast. Huge on-track crowd. Mt. Rainier is out.
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Just love the Arlington Million. My late dad and I were there live for the inaugural Million. Grew up in Chicago. We were both huge John Henry fans. He struggled over the wet turf but found a way. Wish we had camera phones back then to have a momento of the day.
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I am now over at Harrahs on the Strip and they have the Fortune Cup horse racing game.
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Thank you John! Thank you Arlington!.
Haven’t missed calling many races @Arlington_Park in 20 seasons but this one glad to sit back and watch @billdownes1 honor his father by calling it on Sunday.
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Second season announcing at Emerald Downs is in the rear view mirror. On my way back east. Had a blast. Seattle area is a special place weather wise in the summer.
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Guess I better clean off the binoculars and see what crayons I have. Opening day at Indiana Grand is tomorrow.
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Oh it's true!! It's damn true!! Your semi friendly track announcer qualified for the NHC @ClubHawthorne . Had a great day in a live bankroll contest! @Quigleys_Corner @megabucks75 @davidgutfreund @RacingRachelM.
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The pandemic has put restrictions on everyone’s world, but I have taken the time to re-evaluate how I would like to live. For several months, my significant other & I have been looking for places in Western Pennsylvania. 3.
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Where did Ohio Derby winner, Owendale, break his maiden????? At little old Indiana Grand. that's where!.
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The death of my only sister and both parents has left me without a support system here in Indiana. During these yrs, there have also been professional opportunities that I have not been able to consider due to my family’s needs. 2.
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The final in my series of videos of cool horses that ran at Indiana Grand is Owendale for @bradcoxracing. Winner of over $1.5 million and still in training. He broke the maiden at Indiana Grand in September of 2018.
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I have never played a round of golf in my life but I love The Masters. I put in for tickets every year. I am watching it over the NFL and I am all about the NFL.
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Street Band is legit. What a fabulous ride for jockey Sophie Doyle! First woman jockey to win the Indiana Oaks!! Went off at 3/1 too!.
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Decided to drive to Monmouth Park for their handicapping contest. Top 2 go to Vegas for NHC.
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Saw plenty of Arlington lists from media members but I have a list of patrons/individuals that made that place great over the yrs. Green Bay Bob Gary, Don Bara, Kevin the bartender, John Frank, Scott McMannis, John Dooley, and my late Dad make the list. I will miss that place.
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Opening day @EmeraldDowns ! Win, place, and show takeout is an industry low 14.7%. Nine race card on tap. First post around 2:15 pm pacific time.
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zulu alpha wins the million dollar pegasus world cup turf! I seem to remember him winning a couple of races at little old Indiana Grand. @RacingRachelM.
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Not going to lie, I have been lacking on my horse racing tweets. Life got in the way with moving to PA. Well, @EmeraldDowns starts a week from Sunday. Expect a bit more tweets and general horse racing thoughts.
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boom. thats for u dad. I will be at Lambeau in 10 days. What I would do to call him right now. This pic was at his wedding reception! Note the Packer gear. @megabucks75
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Finally, Mt. Rainier is out on a race day/night!!!! Seven races tonight with first post at 7 pm pacific. Track is fast. @EmeraldDowns
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Another cool horse that broke the maiden at Indiana Grand was Mr. Misunderstood. This gelding broke the mdn in 2016. Went on 2 win the Super Derby, Jefferson Cup, Commonwealth, Woodchopper, Wise Dan, and River City Hcap (twice). Won close to $1 million! @bradcoxracing
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I find it funny that one of the nicknames that the Washington Redskins are considering are the change to the Washington Warriors. I went to Marquette. We went from the Warriors to the Golden Eagles due to the offensive nature of the nickname and this was almost 30 yrs ago.
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I have lived in quite a few diff states. Always had my childhood home in suburban Chicago to come back to. Lost my sister in 2016, Dad in 2019, Mom in 2020, and step-Dad in late 2023. House that was in my family for 50+ yrs was put up for sale and closed today. Happy but sad.
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My Mom passed away last week. Been going through docs and other stuff but I came across this gem of me at age of 7 writing my Mom and Dad a three sentence letter that seems rather appropriate. Excuse the poor grammar. @megabucks75 @RacingRachelM
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Isnt that the 2nd year in a row where the Kentucky Oaks winner won her debut at Indiana Grand? @RacingRachelM.
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U have to be kidding! Bill's Best Bet #1 Risky Behavior wins the 4th race at Indiana Grand and pays $9 to win. I put her in my stable mail immediately after her debut.
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Prepping for the NHC. Much more relaxing getting out here to vegas a few days ahead of time. Have 85% of my handicapping done for friday.
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What a ride by jockey Ricardo Mejias on Dean Martini to take the Ohio Derby!! Daring middle move up the rail and holds on for the win for trainer @TomAmossRacing What a claim by Amoss.
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Been under the weather for last few days after a week in Vegas. It's not like I go nuts out there. Ultra dry climate, being around smoke, putting in 100% effort in the NHC, and travel is enough to knock me on my proverbial ass.
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Congrats to jockey Rocco Bowen as he picks up career win #1,000 aboard Dox Folly in the 9th race at Indiana Grand!.
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Over $2 million in handle today @EmeraldDowns on the Sunday ten race card!! Off to a tremendous start to the meet. Next race date is Saturday.
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ty.
Congratulations to @IGRaceCourse Track Announcer Bill Downes who qualified for the NHC at @ClubHawthorne this past weekend - he's headed to Vegas in February! Good Luck @billdownes1
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I want to thank @HorseTourneys for allowing me to host the two-day webcast of their Flo- Cal Faceoff handicapping contest. You can catch the replays on YouTube. @derby1592 was a blast to work with as well.
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I know one great Bears fan is watching this game in heaven in Chet Coppock and one great Packers fan is watching in my late Dad. So glad football is back.
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Congrats to trainer Frank Lucarelli for his 2000th win as a trainer!!! River Kat took the 4th race on Sunday at @lonestarpark to give Frank the milestone win!.
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I told u I was moving to Pittsburgh. Not here yet for good but OBLIGATORY pic of nhl hockey ))kraken at penguins.
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This is sort of a big deal for me. The first year the Packers season tixs have been sent to me since my Dad passed away. @megabucks75 @davidgutfreund
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Longacres Mile on Sunday at Emerald Downs is an extremely bettable race. ML fav and defending champ, Background, is no lock. Top Executive, Slews Tiz Whiz, and Papas Golden Boy are all very live. Fun race. Whole card will hopefully entice bettors.
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I think the most interesting addition to the jock colony at Indiana Grand is Rocco Bowen. He was leading jockey at Emerald Downs in 2018 and just started riding again in the last week with a win at Belterra for trainer Genaro Garcia. Rocco is aboard quite a few for GG on Monday.
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The wynn race and sportsbook is really slick and well designed.
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