George “the king” Anthony

[theokodjak26]

I’m watching the NYRA Saratoga show he other day. Who do I see in the paddock is The King. He recently claimed a thoroughbred for $50,000 with friends and gave the horse to Mike Miceli to train, an ex-jock I think. As far as characters of racing is concerned George is one of my favorites. Now I don’t know George well but over the years we have chatted. Among his experiences he told me he was a NYC cop. He retired and somehow he becomes a harness trainer. Maybe he rode a police horse in Manhattan who knows? From what he told me he did pretty well on the YR/RR circuit. Then I hear he is calling races at Ocean Downs.Then he comes to the Big M with money from Asian owners doing pretty good. We used to race against George and he was always friendly even if we beat him. Years go by and the next time I see him was at Pocono Downs analyzing the races in his colorful ways for their tv show. But he gets fired for some insane reason of getting Brian Sears a discounted rate at the PD hotel, which he still denies he ever did. And who would care anyway. Knowing how cheap the PD management was back then, they were probably looking to cut a salary. Well the final time I saw him before the other day was the last season at Pompano Park. Gabe Prewitt invited George to call a few races in their final season. I ran into George in the grandstand with his wife. It was great seeing him looking pretty well. Have any other Ploppers ever had experience with George?

[bello]

Truly a renaissance man. Spent 3 weeks vacationing in Ocean City MD and they race 1k claimers at OD and George made every call like it was the Hamiltonian. Great nicknames for the drivers who only seemed to race on the OD harrington circuit when the purses where $800 bucks.

[Gaagoots]

He’s a great announcer! Reminds me of late great Jack E Lee!

[LUCPARK]

He’s a great announcer! Reminds me of late great Jack E Lee!

[7minuteAbz]

Jack E Lee despised George, because he believed that he copied his style. Also sent George an interesting gift through the mail.

[theokodjak26]

Jack E Lee despised George, because he believed that he copied his style. Also sent George an interesting gift through the mail.

And what was the gift?

[7minuteAbz]

And what was the gift?

Fecal matter wrapped in a box.

[theokodjak26]

I thought Jack E. Lee had a bit more class than that. I guess not.

[7minuteAbz]

The poor man lost his mind at the end.

[Gaagoots]

Fecal matter wrapped in a box.

WOW!! Jack was right George does mimics him... He should have taken that as a complement.

[wiseowl]

Know George well is a good guy people like him are great for racing .

[Fuguzzi]

I knew George very well when we were racing together at YR/RR. Great guy, smart, inventive. Not your ordinary Standardbred trainer.When he first came to NY one of his best horses was a huge trotter named Lark Hanover. This thing looked like it was one step away from being scratched lame every time he warmed up. Once the gate opened and he came the last half with that one big sweeping move, the race was over and he was jogging to victory after victory.

[Kirbys Ace]

Truly a renaissance man. Spent 3 weeks vacationing in Ocean City MD and they race 1k claimers at OD and George made every call like it was the Hamiltonian. Great nicknames for the drivers who only seemed to race on the OD harrington circuit when the purses where $800 bucks.

We stabled next to him when he had a couple horses and was announcing at Ocean Downs.

[Fuguzzi]

Oh just to be clear George's problem with Jack Lee came from the fact that as first and second announcer they went into business together selling tape recordings of the races they announced. Long story short, jack stole George's half of the proceeds. it was a lot. pretty sure George sued and won damages. jack was a drunken asshole who once said "Fuck you, Carmine" on a hot mic.

[Fuguzzi]

I think it was sometime early 90s that George got in a ferocious claiming war with none other than Brett Pelling. word was he felt he needed to win with Pelling horses off claims to get noticed. I think he won first or second time out with like 10 of them. George was a wild guy. A character in a sport that needs them.