Future voice of Red Mile?

University of Kentucky graduate and former mutuel clerk at The Red Mile-turned-Standardbred owner Gabe Prewitt will add announcer to his resume when he calls the first two races on the Friday night program at the famed clay oval. Prewitt, who is still two years shy of his 25th birthday, shares ownership in Kentucky Sire Stakes champion filly Otherpeoplesmoney and currently works as assistant manager at a Kroger supermarket in Lexington.

This will actually be the second time Prewitt has made his way to the announcer’s booth, but the first in which his voice will be heard across the country via simulcast signal; he called two races on the all-fair-final-program at The Red Mile earlier this month that wasn’t exported.

“I’ve always had an interest and Kevin (Red Mile general manager/race secretary/announcer Kevin Mack) was nice enough to let me do it the night of the fair finals,” Prewitt told harnessracing.com Friday morning. “It went pretty well but it was my first-ever time. I was totally unprepared. I was told I was doing it about 10 minutes before the race.”

Prewitt said that his only previous announcing practice had been at home while watching videos of races. He said he expects to improve some in his second attempt.

“I think I’ll be a little better tonight because I’ve got that initial stage fright out of the way. The first time I went up there, it’s a lot different than watching a race on the computer,” he said. “The good thing is that I know ahead of time so I can get familiar with the field. Last time I was still unfamiliar with the horses even during post parade. But I love it; it’s a ton of fun.”

Prewitt worked at The Red Mile in the mutuel department while attending UK, and shares ownership of Otherpeoplesmoney with college buddy Tyler Smith. Last year at two the Pro Bono Best filly won the Kentucky Sire Stakes final and Lexington Breeders Classic final on her way to $91,000 in earnings, and this year she has increased her bankroll past the $100,000 mark.

As for his race-calling future, “If I have voice mails after tonight from the Meadowlands, Balmoral, Del Mar or Keeneland, I’ll probably have my resignation turned in Monday,” he said with a laugh. “It’s whoever pays me the most; I’ll have to feel out all the offers.”

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