Odds On Racing - Harness Racing

Odds On Racing's

Personality
of the Month
for November 2005

Frank Salive

Frank Salive is a longtime Standardbred announcer who began calling races with the Ontario Jockey Club in 1991 following stints with Sudbury Downs, Leamington and Windsor Raceway.

The 50-year-old broadcaster is now announcing the harness races at Western Fair Raceway in London, Ontario.

Frank Salive

Frank has announced more than an estimated 58,000 races for a number of programs including: Woodbine Entertainment Group (1991-fall 2005), Ontario Sires Stakes (since the program's inception 1974) as well as Breeders Crown, North America Cup, Canadian Pacing Derby, Metro Stakes, Maple Leaf Trot and all of the Toronto circuit's major stakes finals.

When Mohawk's 2005 meeting wrapped up on October 8, Frank made the tough decision to step down and announce at Western Fair.

"This was far from an overnight decision," Frank said. "It's difficult to leave after having the best seat in the house to watch the nation's best racing for 14 years. Announcing at Woodbine and Mohawk was an extraordinary privilege. For me, it's a lifestyle decision."

Besides race calling, Salive has provided commentary at non-racetrack functions and fundraisers. He's announced at 60 major harness venues over the years and has called over one hundred $1 million races.

"One of the best things I did in my career was speak with John Campbell, Steve Condren and Doug Brown a few years ago about getting on in age," Frank noted. "I asked them, 'How do you get ready for age 50 in this business?' They each told me to get my financial house in order and put myself in a position to retire sound and healthy. I moved to London last year to be near my daughter, who's now in her second year at the University of Western Ontario."

"I had worked here on three occasions in recent years and liked it more and more each time I returned to London," Frank added. "This permanent position will allow me to alter my lifestyle enormously, from driving thousands of kilometres to tracks all over Ontario to walking five city blocks to work. Western Fair is a first rate organization with some of the best people in the business."

Salive is also a winner of the Standardbred Breeders Of Ontario's prestigious Lloyd Chisholm Award.

Salive's career in sports broadcasting dates back to the 1976 Montreal Summer Olympics. From 1972-75, Frank was a junior hockey goalie for the late Roger Neilson and the Peterborough Petes. During 1973-74, the Petes represented Canada at the 1st World Junior Hockey Tournament in Leningrad, USSR where Frank was chosen top goalie. He was a 10th round NHL draft choice in 1975 by the Pittsburgh Penguins, but declined the offer in favor of racing and broadcasting.

Western Fair’s website also has a “Race In Focus” live television show nightly with Salive. As well, his handicapping picks will be posted for fans to view on the WFR home page. Not only will Salive’s picks be displayed on the website, but they will be included as part of the TV show.