11-Year-Old Tyler Smith "Calls" Race During Sunday's Delaware, Ohio Race Program By Jay Wolf 9/20/04 Delaware, OH--Tyler Smith, 11-year-old son of Kathy and Jeff Smith of Washington Court House, OH, had a dream come true Sunday afternoon when he "called" a harness race at the Delaware County Fair. The sixth grader replaced Hall of Fame announcer Roger Huston for one race. "That was real good. I wasn't really nervous but it was great," said the youngster, whose parents train and race Standardbreds.

Tyler called his first harness race two years ago during a matinee at Washington Court House. "I have tried to copy Mr. Houston's style and also some other people."

"Tyler wasn't a bit scared," said Huston. He seemed very comfortable. I was concerned though that he wasn't tall enough to see out of the announcer's stand. I did tell him that he had to quit announcing for free at those county fairs. I gave him a $20 bill and said, "Now you are a professional."

Smith, who is also a pitcher for his Little League baseball team, has worked with the family horses since he was two years old and now helps train them.

"I want to be a driver some day," he said. "I want to be like John Campbell."

Huston, who is from Xenia, OH, announced his first race when he was 17 years old.