Pete Aiello
Oaklawn has hired Pete Aiello to become the fifth announcer in the history of the track; Aiello will be in the booth when Oaklawn opens for live racing on Jan. 15.
The appointment comes after Frank Mirahmadi announced Tuesday that he was stepping down after four seasons in Hot Springs. Mirahmadi had taken over for Terry Wallace, who had called races at Oaklawn for 37 years.
Announcers from around the country were interested in the position, according to David Longinotti, director of racing.
“The number of talented race callers expressing an interest in this job was astounding,” Longinotti said. “We’ve had our eye on Pete for quite some time. We are always tuned in to young talent in our industry and Pete was at the top of our list. We believe he has the brightest future of any track announcer in the nation and couldn’t be happier to welcome him into the Oaklawn family. We’re confident Arkansas racing fans will greet him with open arms.”
A native of South Florida, Aiello, 30, is a 2007 graduate of the University of Arizona Race Track Industry Program. He holds multiple positions at two different Florida tracks, Hialeah Park and Casino in Hialeah and Gulfstream Park in Hallandale Beach.
“To say that I’m excited about joining the Oaklawn team would be a vast understatement,” Aiello said. “I’ve always heard Hot Springs has some of the best racing fans in the world and now I get to experience it for myself. I’m truly honored to be joining the team and appreciate the entire Oaklawn family for giving me this opportunity.”
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