100 not out - Gulfstream dream team defy burnout to keep global fans entertained

When racing was suspended in Britain and Ireland in March, racefans and punters had only one option for their fix, to look overseas.

Fortunately, there was plenty of choice. One such was Gulfstream Park, whose festivals put the likes of Listowel and Galway firmly in the shade. Since March 18, when racing was suspended in Britain, Gulfstream has hosted 100 days of action.

Meaning its core broadcasting team of Jason Blewitt, Ron Nicoletti and Pete Aiello leave in their dust equivalents such as ITV Racing’s duo of Ed Chamberlin, Jason Weaver and Richard Hoiles – despite the welcome impression they are on our screens constantly.

Remember, too, cards at Gulfstream, as is typical in the US, tend to have between nine and 12 races – every one live on the track’s website and covered in detail on air.

The presentation is led by host Blewitt, who is joined by pundit Nicoletti – both are always immaculately attired in suit and tie – and commentator Aiello, and is slick and informative.

But what does it take to maintain standards and enthusiasm over such a long time? Gulfstream tends to race four days a week in its summer season and five in the winter, although with public holidays it can be more.

Jason Blewitt (left) and Ron Nicoletti: co-hosts at Gulfstream Park in FloridaCredit: Gulfstream Park

“There are times when a touch of burnout sets in and becomes a real factor,” admits Blewitt, “but I try to keep gratitude in front of my face; having your career of choice is a big deal and I know I’m in a spot thousands of racing fans would love to be in.

“It may sound corny but there’s also the ongoing mastery of television, and horseracing, and I try to improve in both areas each day. Also, this game has been exceptionally good to me and I never want to take that for granted.”

Nicoletti says: “You have to love the game. Of course there are days that are tougher than others to be totally enthused, but there’s nothing better than racing, and the colourful people involved. If you can’t enjoy that you’re in the wrong field.”

Fields are Aiello’s forte, his commentaries a key part of the show’s attraction. His enthusiasm stems from his childhood.

“My background is a huge motivating factor,” he says. “I was raised a horseracing fan but knew nobody in the industry. Trainers and jockeys were rock stars to me, so the mere idea I’d even have a chance to work in racing was a really exciting, motivating proposition.

“When at college, essentially majoring in horseracing, at the University of Arizona’s Race Track Industry Program, I didn’t care at all about what level of racing I was working in. In the context of the UK, it didn’t matter to me whether I was at Ascot or Goodwood or calling point-to-point races in the countryside. Just so long as I was part of the game.”

'Surreal feeling'

After catching a break in his home state of Florida at Hialeah Park in 2009, Aiello now finds himself calling some of the biggest races in the US and interacting with childhood heroes – “a pretty surreal feeling and damn motivating,” he says, though, like his colleagues, he admits to bumps in the road.

“You’re not human if you don’t have off days; you can’t bring your A game all the time,” he says. “Being candid, I went through a period recently where I just wasn’t happy with my work. But that in itself is motivating.

“I’ve always been my own worst critic and know when I’m not up to standard. And trust me when I tell you, my standard for myself is far higher than anyone else can set for me.

“As far as enthusiasm and excitement goes, that’s the very easy part because it’s natural. The passion I try to exude with my race calls isn’t manufactured, it’s truly how I feel.

“I feel like racing is the greatest game on earth and every time I watch a race I can’t help but be engaged and excited. I’m just a big fan who got lucky and I try to never lose sight of that.”

GULFSTREAM PARK FACTFILE

Opened 1939

Owner Stronach Group

Location Hallandale Beach, Florida

Biggest races Pegasus World Cup, Pegasus World Cup Turf, Florida Derby

Breeders’ Cup host 1989, 1992, 1999

While entries and declarations in the US are made early by European standards, with four meetings a week – Thursdays to Sundays is the regular summer diet – containing at least 40 races, there is plenty of homework to be done.

Acacia Courtney shares the load and is an integral part of the team, although her analyst and interviewer role is one she splits between Florida and the New York Racing Association tracks of Saratoga, Belmont and Aqueduct, so at certain times of the year she has to leave the lads to it.

Blewitt says of his schedule: “In addition to television, I write an analysis/selection page for the physical Gulfstream programme, as well as on the website. I’m always working two days ahead while on deadline for the programme.

“Outside of the obvious handicapping/analysing aspect of my job, I produce the daily morning show ‘Gulfstream Park Today’. I take my hosting role very seriously and work hard at perfecting it. Quarterbacking Gulfstream’s presentation is a big deal and something I take a lot of pride in.”

Nicoletti makes clear that the workshy need not apply should a vacancy on the presenting team arise, saying: “A typical work week starts with me arriving at the track about 9:30am, waiting for scratches, and getting primed and ready for the 11am morning handicapping show. The show is 30 minutes long.

“Jason and I then do our on-air segments between the races. We’re on the air from 11am to about 5pm. Of course, we have time between races, so our faces might not be on the screen, but we’re always ready to go. During the afternoon we try to find interesting videos and stats to use for the next day’s broadcast.

“Then it’s home to handicap the following day’s races. We have a 48-hour deadline to go to print – Saturday’s analysis is due on Thursdays, etc. It’s not for the faint of heart!”

Commentating on so many races for months on end – October and November is the only respite – is not for the faint of voice, but ‘the big man upstairs’, as Aiello is often introduced by Blewitt, is not prone to building to a crescendo that leaves you thinking ‘calm down’, as can be the case in Britain and Ireland.

Commentator Pete Aiello has an enjoyable and distinctive style

“I’m somewhat a creature of habit and routine.” says Aiello, as no doubt many in his profession are. “I get to the track about two hours before racing starts. Once here, I head to the booth and start to prep for the day. Getting scratches and changes, checking social media and promoting exciting or intriguing storylines, and working on simulcast-related matters if any – I double up as the simulcast assistant.

“This is the most important part of my day. I have to clear my head and get in the zone. I’m like a baseball pitcher. If the fastball isn’t working early in the game, it’s going to be a long afternoon.

“After the races are over, I either head home to dinner with the girlfriend Lindsay before starting on the morning line odds – another duty of mine - or stay in the booth and begin working on the odds before heading home.

“I’d say on average I call between 40 and 60 races a week, so on days off I try to do as many non-racing activities as I can. My second love, as well as my mental and physical release, is badminton. I played religiously once a week before the pandemic started.”

Different atmosphere

The Covid-19 pandemic is, of course, the reason why overseas racing and the personalities in front of the camera and behind the mic have become much more familiar since the spring. But what difference has no spectators made to Gulfstream’s dream team?

“I do miss interacting with the fans on-track,” answers Blewitt. “That’s always been a highlight of the gig, whether you’re running into the usual faces or people that are visiting while on vacation. I make sure to stay extremely active on Twitter – it is part of the job now – but have made even more of an effort to tweet daily videos from different spots throughout Gulfstream, as well as horses training in the morning.

“Fans have been vocal to me about missing the on-track experience and I’ve tried to fill that void as best I can with my social media presence.”

Aiello adds: “I used to ‘make my rounds’ and talk with friends and co-workers before the start of the races every day, but now head up to the announcer’s booth and pretty much stay put for the day. I miss meeting and interacting with fans and the crowd energy from below but I try not to let that impact my delivery and passion for the sport.”

Passion is plainly one thing that unites the hard-working trio. If you haven’t already, check them out online before their short, but thoroughly deserved and needed, hibernation.

What’s your story?

Jason Blewitt; “I’ve worked at Gulfstream for nearly three and a half years. Prior, I worked for the New York Racing Association for 17 years. I started as a press box intern at NYRA in the summer of 1996 and eventually did a mix of writing and television. I switched entirely to TV hosting for NYRA in 2008.”

Ron Nicoletti: “I launched a Manhattan boutique in my 20s, Jenny Waterbags. We had seven stores through the US at our peak, and made clothes for John Lennon, Paul McCartney and David Bowie, among others. I ‘retired’ to Florida and have been working at Gulfstream for 34 years now, the last 15 or so doing on-air broadcasting.”

Pete Aiello: “I started as summer announcer when Gulfstream first attempted summer racing in 2013. I was just in the right place at the right time. Before that, I spent six years as the voice of ‘Cincinnati’s Racetrack’ River Downs. That was my first full-time position in the industry and I began there in June 2008.”

If you could bring a guest presenter/pundit/commentator from anywhere to join the team, who would it be?

JB: “Hockey is the only pro sport I follow outside of racing and being a lifelong [struggling] New York Rangers fan I’d probably choose Sam Rosen, who has called Rangers games on television for seemingly forever I always admired Sam’s talents and warmth on the air but have an even greater appreciation for his skills now I do television for a living.”

RN: “I’ve had the honour of working with some of the brightest handicappers when they start their broadcasting careers: Gabby Gaudet, Acacia Courtney and Christina Bossinakis, to name just a few. There’s nothing better than watching them grow with every broadcast, and eventually leaving me in the dust. Give me a newbie to work with every time.”

PA: “If it were just a guest scenario, so they don’t steal my job, I’d love to interact with some of the Australian callers. To be able to narrate and stay calm in Australia and Hong Kong, with so much happening, is really amazing. I’m not sure I could keep my own emotions in check and stay laser-focused like that. I’m going to go with Greg Miles.”

Which celebrity would you love to do the next ‘riders up’ at the Pegasus World Cup?

JB: “Slash from Guns N’ Roses and Velvet Revolver. No question. I’ve always loved rock music and Slash has been one of my heroes since a friend lent me the first GNR album on cassette in 5th grade more than 30 years ago. There’s no one on the planet as cool as Slash. I’d also get to ask him when GNR plans on releasing some new [overdue] material!”

RN: “In a perfect world it would be the doctors who find a cure for Covid-19. Otherwise, I’m a big fan of Rock & Roll Hall of Fame singer Dion [DiMucci], who brought his beautiful mother to Gulfstream every year on her birthday.”

PA: “The angle I would want to take with it is to go for someone to deliver it uniquely, and also someone with ties to our local community. With that in mind, I’m going with Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson . . . if you smell what I’m cooking!”

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