Triple Crown Horse Racing: Larry Collmus Impression by Tyler Wong

The horse racing community is preparing for the upcoming Triple Crown season, bringing renewed attention to Larry Collmus, the voice of the events for NBC Sports. Collmus serves as the race caller for the network’s coverage of both the Triple Crown and the Breeders’ Cup, making him one of the most recognized voices in the sport.

Collmus currently holds the position of track announcer for the Del Mar Thoroughbred Club, a role he assumed after taking over the booth from Trevor Denman.

Career Beginnings and the Maryland Circuit

A native of Baltimore, Maryland, Collmus began his professional journey in horse racing at the age of 18. He called his first race at Bowie Race Track in 1985.

During 1985 and 1986, he expanded his experience by serving as the assistant announcer at several Maryland venues, including Timonium Racetrack, Bowie, Pimlico, and Laurel Park. His passion for the sport was sparked early through a summer job assisting his father at the Timonium Fairgrounds.

In 1987, Collmus achieved a significant milestone when he was named the announcer for the Birmingham Turf Club in Alabama, becoming the youngest announcer in the country at that time.

National Progression and Track Appointments

Following his tenure in Alabama, Collmus moved to California to serve as the announcer at Golden Gate Fields in the San Francisco area. He remained in this position until 1991, when he relocated to East Boston, Massachusetts, to lead announcing duties at Suffolk Downs.

Collmus transitioned to a major summer racing circuit in 1994 upon becoming the announcer at Monmouth Park. This venue later hosted the Breeders’ Cup in 2007.

His career continued to evolve with a period spent as the winter announcer at Aqueduct. By 2007, he became the full-time announcer at Gulfstream Park.

NBC Sports and Iconic Calls

Beyond his track-specific roles, Collmus has become synonymous with the Triple Crown through his work with NBC Sports. He describes the experience of calling his first Kentucky Derby in 2011 as a nerve-wracking thrill.

One of the most defining moments of his career occurred when he called the victory of American Pharoah, who ended a 37-year drought to win the Triple Crown. Collmus delivered the line, American Pharoah wins the Triple Crown!

For more than three decades, Larry has been the soundtrack to some of horse racing’s most iconic moments, from his early days on the Maryland circuit to calling history on NBC Sports.

My Fame, Explained

Collmus has attributed the success of his career to a combination of timing, emotion, and precision in the art of race calling.

Professional Legacy

Throughout his tenure, Collmus has called races at numerous tracks across the United States, including NYRA and various Maryland circuits. His progression from an 18-year-old novice at Bowie Race Track to the primary voice of the Triple Crown highlights a career spanning more than 40 years.

As the 2026 Triple Crown season approaches, Collmus continues to represent the intersection of live track announcing and national broadcasting, maintaining his role at the Del Mar Thoroughbred Club while preparing for the high-pressure environment of NBC Sports’ live coverage.