Jim Byers will continue to serve as Oaklawn Park racetrack broadcaster “at least briefly” as previous broadcaster Vic Stauffer is no longer racing, Wayne Smith, Oaklawn’s general manager, told Daily Racing Form. Byers began calling racing action at the Arkansas track in early March.
Byers is a regular broadcaster for Lonely Star Parkopened the Thoroughbred meeting on April 13. Oaklawn continued racing until May 6.
Smith told DRF’s Mary Rampellini: “At least in the short term, Jim will support us until he has another engagement.
In the DRF report, Oaklawn Park executives declined to comment on why Stauffer did not make the announcement at Oaklawn.
I broke away from @OaklawnRacing I thank them for the 6 and a half AMAZING years. We disagree on the seriousness of a tweet I recently posted. Respect their opinion. In LV to enjoy competing with fellow riders in the NHC. Humbly appreciate all the best wishes. Our game is the BEST! VJS
– Vic Stauffer (@goofonroof) March 10, 2023
Oaklawn officials did not respond to messages from BloodHorse seeking comment.
Smith told DRF that the search for a new announcer would not begin until the Oaklawn Park meeting was over.
Byers, who has announced at the Lone Star in Dallas since 2016, previously called the races at Remington Park from 1988-99 and at the defunct Hollywood Park from 1984-87. After leaving Remington, he spent more than a decade broadcasting hockey and baseball in Oklahoma City.
Stauffer became an Oaklawn Park announcer in 2017 after visiting numerous racetracks around the country, including Gulfstream ParkHialeah, Golden Gate Fields, and Hollywood Park, where he has been claiming for 13 years. He has also worked as a jockey’s manager and agent.
