Carl Becker Named To Harness Racing Hall of Fame

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Published on September 18 2017 2:39 pm
Last Updated on September 18 2017 2:40 pm
Written by Millie Lange

Carl Becker announcing at the Effingham County Fair this year.

The U.S. Harness Writers Association announced today that Carl Becker has been elected to the Communicators Corner of harness racing's Hall of Fame.

Becker, of Altamont, called his first race professionally in July of 1964 at the Edgar County Fair in Paris, Illinois, and has been the senior track announcer for the Effingham County Fair since 1967. He is remembered nationally for his call of the 1980 Hambletonian--the last to be held at the DuQuoin State Fair--as well as for his role as track announcer at the Illinois State Fair in Springfield, the Indiana State Fair in Indianapolis, and The Red Mile in Lexington, Ky.

During his career, Becker has called races on national television for ESPN, ESPN 2, and PBS. His race calls have been featured on the "Coast to Coast" syndicated radio program hosted by Bob Costas, and his stretch call of the 1980 Hambletonian was featured on the CBS Evening News.

Other highlights of Becker's career include calling Niatross's time trial in 1980, which saw the 1:50 barrier broken for the first time by a Standardbred, as well as calling the inaugural Breeders' Crown for ESPN at Lexington in 1984.

Carl Becker announcing at the 1978 Illinois State Fair harness races.