# Fred Capossela

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**Fred** "**Cappy**" **Capossela** (1902 – April 3, 1991) was an American thoroughbred race track announcer.

## Early life and career

Capossela was born in [Brooklyn](/source/Brooklyn) in 1902.[1][2] He got his start in thoroughbred racing in 1926 as a writer for the *[New York Evening Post](/source/New_York_Post)*.[2] He also covered the sport for the *[Brooklyn Eagle](/source/Brooklyn_Eagle)*.[1][3] In 1934, Capossela called his first race at [Tropical Park](/source/Tropical_Park_Race_Track), where he filled in for the regular announcer for two weeks.[4]

## Announcing

In 1940, Capossela became assistant track announcer for New York's four thoroughbred race tracks, [Aqueduct Racetrack](/source/Aqueduct_Racetrack), [Belmont Park](/source/Belmont_Park), [Saratoga Race Course](/source/Saratoga_Race_Course), and [Jamaica Race Course](/source/Jamaica_Race_Course).[2][3] Three years later he was promoted to lead announcer.[2] He also called races at Florida's [Hialeah Park Race Track](/source/Hialeah_Park_Race_Track).[3] From 1950 to 1960, Capossela was the "Voice of the Triple Crown" on CBS Radio and Television.[2] He also called televised races on [WNEW-TV](/source/WNYW)'s *Schaefer Circle of Sports*.[5]

Capossela was known for his high-pitched nasal voice, his distinctive style in saying "It is now post time", and his accurate calls.[3][6]

## Late life and death

Capossela retired in 1971.[3] After his retirement, he regularly attended weekend races at Hialeah and later at tracks in Southern California. Capossela died on April 3, 1991, at his home in [Upland, California](/source/Upland,_California), following a stroke.[1][6]

In 1993, the Swift Stakes at Aqueduct Racetrack was renamed the [Fred "Cappy" Capossela Stakes](/source/Fred_%22Cappy%22_Capossela_Stakes) in his honor.

## References

1. Moran, Paul (April 5, 1991). "Capossela Dies Of Stroke at 88". *Newsday*

1. ["History of The Game: Fred Capossela"](https://archive.today/20140608174521/http://www.nyra.com/aqueduct/videos/history-of-the-game-fred-capossela/). The New York Racing Association. March 8, 2014. Archived from [the original](http://www.nyra.com/aqueduct/videos/history-of-the-game-fred-capossela/) on June 8, 2014. Retrieved June 8, 2014.

1. ["Fred Capossela; Race-Track Announcer, 88"](https://www.nytimes.com/1991/04/05/obituaries/fred-capossela-race-track-announcer-88.html). *The New York Times*. April 5, 1991.

1. Byer, Andy (August 19, 1966). "Tension in Calling Races, Says Announcer". *The Boston Globe*

1. Tuite, James (July 30, 1961). "They're Off!". *The New York Times*

1. "Ex-Announcer Dies; Worked at Hialeah". *Sun Sentinel*. April 5, 1991.

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Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Fred Capossela](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fred_Capossela) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fred_Capossela?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.