Michael Wrona, one of horse racing’s preeminent race-callers and the voice of Santa Anita Park, has been named track announcer for Kentucky Downs’ live meet.

Kentucky Downs’ 2019 meet is Aug. 31 and Sept. 5, 7, 8 and 12 over North America’s only European-style turf course in Franklin. The showcase race meet, which offers the world’s largest purses outside Japan, falls when Southern California thoroughbred racing is at Del Mar and Los Alamitos, making Wrona available.

The 52-year-old Australian-born Wrona was named Santa Anita’s permanent announcer in 2016 following that track’s international search to replace the iconic Trevor Denman, who wanted a reduced work schedule while retaining his Del Mar post.

Wrona’s simple proclamation of “Racing!” as the horses spring from the gate is among the best known race-call signatures in the sport.

Wrona said he was surprised but delighted to be offered the Kentucky Downs position.

“It has struck me since receiving this offer that I’m going to be entrusted with the responsibility of calling America’s two most unique and challenging turf courses,” he said. “Because Santa Anita has its famous downhill course with the right-hand turn behind the trees, and the European-style layout and undulations of Kentucky Downs makes it extremely challenging and unique. I feel quite humbled really. And with the stratospheric purse money and the nationally prominent stables, it’s apparent that Kentucky Downs has quickly carved an indelible niche in the turf-racing calendar. So it’s tremendously exciting.”