Racing's Future: Matt Dinerman

“Racing’s Future” is a Q&A series in which I aspire to help everyone in the industry. In addition to shining a spotlight on youth who plan to have a career in horse racing, I hope that the opinions expressed in their responses will offer industry leaders insight into what a younger audience believes the sport should improve upon.

Meet Matt Dinerman

Born and raised in San Diego, California, 23-year-old Matt Dinerman has been a fan of racing since age 11. He is now the racetrack announcer at Emerald Downs. He is also a trip notes analyst on a new website called OptixEQ, and contributes handicapping analysis to TVG’s online newsletter. Follow him on Twitter, @3coltshandicap.

How did you become interested in horse racing?

Like a lot of people, my dad took me to the racetrack when I was young and started to teach me the basics. We live 10 minutes from Del Mar, so going to the track was an easy trip.  A friend and neighbor, Gayle Van Leer, who is a bloodstock agent, would also take me to the backstretch in the mornings. Learning from Gayle and my dad, I was in awe of everything and wanted to learn more. When I was 16, I got a job working in John Sadler’s barn as a hotwalker, and the wheels were in motion to begin my career.

What do you love about horse racing?

Most of all, I love the horses. They are tremendous athletes and magnificent individuals. I really enjoy the backstretch and try to get back there a few times a week. I’m in this because of the horses. I also really love handicapping. I’m really into the analysis part, trying to solve the puzzle that is each race…trying to predict the outcome, and even what things horses may need to be successful; different distance, the race level, the surface, equipment changes, what should come next. I like to analyze all that stuff. Even when I’m calling races, I usually have thoughts as I’m calling or after calling the race based on what I see.

What career are you pursuing in the horse racing industry?

I love what I’m doing now so I’d like to be an announcer for most of the year. That’s my dream. Some people love to train, some people love to buy horses for owners, and some people love the breeding side of racing… I just love to announce. But I have seen a lot of people start off in one area of the business and move into other areas that are fun and interesting, so I am leaving my options open. I just want to be professional at whatever I am doing so I can make a positive impact in the industry.

Why have you chosen to pursue that career?

I always wanted a job where I could be at the racetrack and watch all the races. I really enjoy analyzing, describing and reporting the races as they happen and entertaining the fans. I think track announcers can be good ambassadors for racing and I want to be a good ambassador for the sport. My job is not only to describe the races well, but to help make the fans’ experience better.

How are you currently pursuing that career?

I got lucky. Emerald Downs took a chance on me, so from April until September, that’s my entire focus. Hopefully, I get a chance to announce at an additional track at some point, to complement my time at Emerald. For now, in the off-season I am at home and working on the trip note analysis for Optix EQ. I write notes on all the races for the New York circuit. I did some practice calling at the Del Mar fall meet and will do that at Santa Anita, too. Just want to stay sharp and improve my pace, vocabulary and voice control all the time.

Who are some of the people you admire in the industry and why?

I admire Dan Smith, who has been a media fixture in horse racing for decades. I worked under him and Mac McBride, the Media Director, in the Del Mar Press Box. Dan is so knowledgeable and has taught me a lot. He also is always thinking about ways to make the racing product better. We talk about that and horses all the time. I also admire Trevor Denman and Robert Geller, two mentors of mine. Trevor and Robert are both great at their craft, very resourceful and intelligent, and above all, good people.

I also, of course, have a great respect for all the other announcers out there. It’s not an easy job. And I very much respect all the backstretch workers and workers on the farms who work long days and do all the dirty work on behalf of the horses and for everyone else who wants to have a good time at the races.

What aspects of horse racing do you wish you knew more about?

I’m really interested in the welfare of the horses, so understanding the various therapies and medications used for various injuries is important to me. I would like to learn more about that. I would also like to dig into the breeding industry a little more.

What racetracks have you been to?

Emerald Downs, Del Mar, Los Alamitos, Santa Anita, Hollywood Park. Can’t wait to expand this list!

What is your favorite racetrack? Why?

Emerald Downs! The racing family at Emerald is terrific. People care a lot about their racing and a lot of fans are regulars, all of who look like they are having a blast. It’s one big family up there and I am very fortunate to be a part of it. I also want to add Del Mar, because it is my home track. Everyone’s home track always holds a special place in their heart, and I’m no different. Plus, Del Mar has some of the best racing in the country and the atmosphere there is so much fun.

Of the racetracks you have not been to, which one do you want to visit most?

Keeneland: it sounds like a fun time! Keeneland has a young demographic there, and I’d like to experience that “young vibe” for myself. It is also in a beautiful area of Kentucky, with stallion farms all around, so it would be fun to tour some big farms. And of course, Keeneland has quality racing.

What are your favorite moments in your “horse racing life” thus far?

Calling my first graded stakes race, The Longacres Mile, was one of my favorite moments. The Longacres Mile is like the Kentucky Derby or Breeders' Cup Classic to the Washington race community, so to be able to be a part of that was exceptional. The only other adrenaline rush I’ve had close to that in racing – and this is another favorite moment of mine – was when I hotwalked my first winner in the Sadler barn, and got to cheer him on as he won the race. His name was Super Strut, and he won by five lengths! That was the first time I experienced that feeling of victory that can only come from being associated with a winner. Amazing. Finally, all the moments of meeting and interacting with so many cool people involved with horse racing are memorable. I have made many friends in the racing industry. Some of my closest friends are in the racing industry and they are just like me: young, enthusiastic people who want to be in the industry and make a positive impact.

Who are your favorite racehorses of your lifetime? Before your lifetime?

Going back a long ways, Dr. Fager, Affirmed, Ruffian and Secretariat. I love Silver Charm and Tiznow because of the determination they had to win. Zenyatta also makes the list. It’s hard not to love her for not only her racing ability but because she brought many new fans to the sport and brought so much attention from the casual fan.  

Topping my list of favorites is Candy Ride. I was there when he won the Pacific Classic and that hooked me right there and then. He was an exceptionally athletic horse too. Sidney’s Candy, one off his sons, is my most favorite horse to have worked with. Candy Ride has turned into a great sire and plenty of his babies have acquired his athleticism and versatility.

If you could change something about the industry, what would you change?

I would like to see a national commission that regulates and oversees common rules and drug use policies, including improving the way drugs are tested. To add a bonus, I would also like to see coordinated post times for races so that tracks, especially major ones, aren’t running races at the same time. That would be a nice improvement.

What do you think is preventing horse racing from being a more popular sport?

“The customer always comes first” is a motto we need to do a better job of embracing, starting with lower takeouts. We need to respect our horseplayers more. It would be great to simplify the handicapping tools as well, because for the average fan, a lot of what we offer is too complicated. It takes too long for most people to learn how to handicap. It’s much easier for somebody to just go to a casino and pull a slot machine lever. I have always believed if handicapping was easier to teach, then so many more people would follow our sport. All my non-racing friends who have decided to commit time to learning how to handicap are avid followers now. I do not believe this is a coincidence. I think there is something about horse racing that can get people really excited and spark a rush in somebody that cannot be found in other sports. And that rush is something many people would love.

What do you think is the most common misconception about horse racing?

That horses are not treated well and that people “only care about making money.” In reality, the vast majority of horses are treated very well and the vast majority of horsemen really care about their horses. It’s a 24/7 job, thinking about those horses and keeping them healthy and happy. I would be confident when taking someone to the backstretch and showing them just how well the horses are cared for.

How would you convince someone who is not an avid follower of horse racing to begin following the sport?

They have marketing people at every racetrack and a lot of high priced consultants trying to figure this out and it’s proven to be very difficult. All I can say is that if you enjoy horses, if you enjoy competition, if you enjoy making an occasional wager here and there, what better way to enjoy yourself than going to the races? I would offer to take anybody who wants to on a tour of the backstretch and I promise them that they will be fascinated by the horses just like I am and was when I made my first trip to the backstretch. I would then offer to take them to the races in the afternoon and show them how things work. With getting new fans, they need to be able to experience the races live at a track, not just on TV, in order to experience just how great horse racing is.

How are you currently contributing to the horse racing industry?

I have my announcing job at Emerald. I also use my Twitter account (@3coltshandicap) a lot to promote the sport and interact with fans. I think social media is very important and something that can be utilized really well to help get new fans and promote the sport for the younger generations and future generations to come. If one uses social media the right way, it can be VERY effective. Tracks and individuals just need to learn how to use it the right way. In my opinion, we’re on our way.

One thing I have used that I think people really enjoy is Periscope. When I am at Emerald, I go on Periscope and have a live broadcast. People can tune and interact and a lot of fans are doing that. So, I see myself as somebody with the ability to use new forms of media to interact with fans and hopefully that will expand the base. I’m happy to play that role. 

What is one thing you aspire to personally accomplish someday in the horse racing industry?

I’ve been very lucky and have been given such wonderful opportunities at such an early age. I have a lot of years ahead of me to see where this might take me and I just try to live in the moment. Right now, I am focused on being the best and most accurate race caller that I can be and doing the best job I can.