Michael Carter has been prominent in harness racing for nearly 20 years, working his way up through the ranks with determination, hard work, sheer talent, and a fierce love for the sport.
With Amelia and Annabelle
From announcing at the Shenandoah County Fairgrounds at a young age, to taking the mic at Buffalo Raceway in 2013 and calling the racing action; to his tenure at Northfield Park, Michael excelled in his job duties, constantly picking up more knowledge along the way. Soon his expertise landed him on-camera for the major stakes days at Yonkers and the Meadowlands. He had previous experience from a wildly popular and entertaining podcast with Harrah’s Philadelphia announcer Mike Bozich, ‘Post Time with Mike & Mike’, which focused on the horses and horsemen, and on-site appearances at race days such as the Breeders Crown at Pocono Downs and more.
Now Pennsylvania racing is excited to welcome Michael to Hollywood Casino at the Meadows, where his successful career road has led him to assume the position of Director of Racing. All of this at the ripe young age of 37!
“When I came back to Northfield in 2020, one of the objectives was to train me to be a leader of a racetrack,” Carter explained, looking back. “They knew that I had that ability in me, it was just a matter of teaching me the skill set, which I had some of it, but to fine-tune some skills and develop additional ones. When the job came open at the Meadows, I figured it would be a good ‘home’ for me.”
Already familar with many of the racing personnel at the Meadows, Michael is confident in his racing team to deliver a top-notch racing season and another memorable marquee event, the Delvin Miller Adios for the Orchids. “It’s funny, but I am extremely nervous about that day, and making sure it is a successful racing event,” he laughed. “I’m thankful to have learned how to put on big events from the management team at Northfield, and am ready to utilize those skills in a new setting. And I’m excited to work with Dawnelle (Mock-Johnston, Executive Director, Meadows Standardbred Owners Association, MSOA) and her team, along with the Pennsylvania Horse Racing Association (PHRA). I’m just thrilled for the opportunity, and can’t wait to see what comes!”
Working many of the major events along the east coast and witnessing the finest in harness racing over the years, it’s not easy to pinpoint which one is his favorite to watch and to cover the action. “There are so many good ones, and it’s difficult to pick one, but Hambletonian day is great, the Little Brown Jug is special, and Grand Circuit week at the Red Mile at Lexington is amazing. But if I had to pick one, it would be Hambletonian day. I did the CBS show three years in a row, my first national television broadcast, and that day will always have a special place in my heart. When my mom was sick in 2020, she and I got to spend her final week watching the Hambletonian together. The day still brings up special memories of us watching races together. Now as the years pass, I go to the Hambo, say a little prayer in the morning, and know that mom and dad are watching.”
With Greg Blanchard and Emily Gaskin
Michael is thankful to a number of people along the way who have taught him, supported him and helped him get to this pinnacle in his career. “I’ve learned so much from the team at Northfield Park,” he said emphatically. “I have to especially thank Mike Colacarro, Dave Bianconi, and Brent Reitz. I owe so much of my management career to them. From a professional standpoint I’d be remiss if I didn’t mention the late Pete Medhurst; he helped get me started in announcing, and he got me my first gig at the Shenandoah County Fair. But the biggest thing he did was, when I got to Buffalo Raceway, was when he said to me ‘you learn, learn, learn, learn learn’. Don’t just be an announcer. That advice has gotten me here today.”
Before jumping in with both feet, he plans to take a deep breath and ease into the new position, with an eye on each department. “I plan to kind of observe for a while. I want to learn the ‘ins and outs’, I want to see how people do their jobs. The Meadows has been successfully run for years and years, and I’m not going to come in and start banging heads. That’s not my style. That’s not how I manage people. I’m more ‘you have a job to do, I trust it will get done’.” He also plans to mingle with the customers, listening to their concerns, suggestions, and gathering their input.
A staunch supporter of exposing the racing product to the younger generation and creating new fans, proud dad Michael shares his love of horses and being at the track with his daughters, Amelia, age 4 and Annabelle, age 2. “They love coming with me to the racetrack! There’s many nights where I have to go in for hour or two, and I’ll take them with me. They’ve sat with me while I’m announcing, and have been with me while I’ve had to work on the track. They love the people and love being around the horses. “Just like their dad!
