Schroon Lake native Travis Stone calls Kentucky Derby

In the world of sports announcers, there are few dream jobs. Calling the Super Bowl. World Series. Indianapolis 500. And the Kentucky Derby. For a Schroon Lake graduate, the dream came true this past Saturday, as Travis Stone called the 141st annual running of the fastest two minutes in sports at Churchill Downs. "It is truly an honor to become the new voice of Churchill Downs and to join a community that shares my passion and enthusiasm for this wonderful sport," Stone said in press release when he was hired in December. "The opportunity to call the Kentucky Derby and all of the prestigious races at Churchill Downs is a dream come true." Travis' mother, Christine, who works at the Schroon Town Hall, said everyone had been asking her about the big moment throughout the weekend. "Everybody has been so excited for him," she said. "He got to call the Kentucky Derby. He has dreamt about this since he was a boy." Stone called all the races at the track during the day, including the first leg of the coveted Triple Crown. While his call went out on several platforms, those watching on NBC heard the voice of his predecessor, Larry Collmus, who is contracted by the national television station to call all three legs of the trifecta, which includes the Preakness and Belmont Stakes. "We had the television on mute and listened to Travis on the internet," Chris Stone said. "He called all the races that day. He did four of the races on television, as well." While Stone did not call the race, he was the featured voice in the leadup to the event, introducing former Louisville football star Teddy Bridgewater who called for, "riders up," asking those in attendance to stand and join in the singing on "My Old Kentucky Home," and leading the crowd in other pre-race traditions. "The Kentucky Derby is the race of all races," Stone's mom said. "Being at Churchill Downs is quite and honor, and it was very exciting for him. He loves what he is doing and he thrives on it." 'Rising star' Stone is the son of Greg and Christine Stone and a graduate of Schroon Lake Central School class of 2002. He graduated from the State University of New York at Oneonta and attended the Missouri Auction School, where he further developed his vocal expression. As a youth, Stone lived for the race track just south of his hometown, and listening to those who called the action. "Living an hour north of Saratoga, my dad was always a fan of horse racing," said Stone. "As a kid I used to use my toys to play races and announce, I announced everything." Stone also wrote a letter to his idol, famed announcer Tom Durkin. "I asked him what courses to take in college to become a race announcer," Stone said. "The unbelievable part is, he wrote me back." In 2006, Stone signed on with Louisiana Downs, where he spent eight years. In 2014, he was hired as the track announced for Monmouth Raceway, replacing 20-year veteran Larry Collmus. "We are excited to have Travis join the Monmouth Park team," said Ben Kulina of Monmouth Park at the time of Stone's hiring. "He's a talented race caller with passion and intelligence for the game." Collmus had left Monmouth to become the track announcer at Churchill Downs, so one year later, Stone would again be replacing the voice of the Triple Crown. "Travis Stone is justly a rising star among the North American announcing ranks," said Kevin Flanery, Churchill Downs Racetrack President in the press release announcing his hiring. "To no one's surprise, numerous race-callers with a wide range of talent and individual style showed interest in our vacant track announcer position. But it became clear to us that Travis' passion for horse racing and charisma resonated through the microphone and made him the ideal fit for our team and racing at Churchill Downs." Flanery added, "We believe he's one of the nation's premier announcers and will be a fabulous ambassador for Churchill Downs Racetrack in a community and region that loves horse racing like no other for years to come." Stone's career had previously taken him to the "Twin Spires," first as a participant in the 2006 All-Star Announcer's Day on the day prior to the 2006 Breeders' Cup World Championships, and as part of a group of five guest announcers during the 2008 Fall Meet.

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Schroon Lake native Travis Stone calls Kentucky Derby

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