Hollywood and Horsepower Show, January 22, 2026

Hollywood and Horsepower Show with Mark Otto Guest, Anthony “ Big A “ Stabile Anthony “the Big A” Stabile was born at the racetrack. His parents met at Aqueduct, he worked as a hotwalker, groom and jockey agent at the NYRA tracks throughout high school and college before becoming a writer and handicapper for the New York Post in May 1999. At the Post, Anthony handicapped six or seven tracks a day, covered both the Thoroughbred and harness scenes and shattered all public handicapping records by showing an $88 profit at the 1999 Saratoga meet, his first as a public handicapper. Anthony has contributed to both the Kentucky Derby and Breeders’ Cup editions of The Bloodhorse, was co-host of “Thoroughbred Central” for the New York City OTB Television Network, hosts seminars for some of racings’ biggest days throughout the New York City area and is the Virtual Race Track announcer at Mohegan Sun in Connecticut. Anthony is best known for selecting the New York bred gelding Funny Cide to win the 2003 Kentucky Derby at 12-1. Anthony had “the gutsy gelding” at 150-1 in a Vegas future book as well as in all three Kentucky Derby Future Pools. Anthony was the ghost writer for Funny Cide in a series of columns that appeared in the Post and authored “Through the Binocs,” a daily recap of the day’s action at NYRA racetracks. Hollywood and Horsepower: The Story Behind the Story with Anthony "Big A" Stabile PODCAST TRANSCRIPT#HorseRacing #Broadcasting #Friendship Hollywood & Horsepower: The Big A Story A conversation with Anthony "Big A" Stabile on the art of the race call, iconic Italian dining, and the defining moments of a career. The Origin Story The "Chicken Parm" Incident At Anthony's Runway 84, Mark swapped his massive chicken parm portion with Anthony's smaller one without hesitation. This "romantic gesture" cemented their friendship instantly. Career Pivot Points EARLYAspired to be a writer (NY Post) or announcer. Idolized Tom Durkin & Dave Johnson. CRISISVocal Cord Collapse (2015): Almost quit the industry to become a realtor. Stayed after Tonalist won the Cigar Mile (a "sign"). NOWTrack Announcer at Finger Lakes; NYRA TV Personality. Mentored by Frank Mirahmadi. Big A's Top 4 Tracks 1. Aqueduct ("The Big A")The Namesake / Home 2. SaratogaHistoric Magic 3. Finger LakesFirst Announcing Gig 4. Monmouth ParkChildhood Summers The Racetrack Dining Guide Anthony's Runway 84 (FL) Plane fuselage decor • Meatballs & Chicken Parm Don Peppe (Ozone Park) Near Aqueduct • Baked Clams • No Menu King Umberto's (Elmont) Near Belmont • Fried Capellini (Must try) "If you want to be successful at this, you have to be genuine. I call a race the same way I scream at my TV during a Mets game." — Anthony Stabile on Broadcasting Introduction Host Mark welcomes his long-time friend and new regular contributor, Anthony "Big A" Stabile, to the show. The episode explores the deep bond between the two, forged over a shared passion for horse racing and Italian food, while detailing Big A's emotional journey from a racing fan to a professional track announcer. Detailed Summary The "Chicken Parm" Bond The friendship between Mark and Anthony began long before they met in person, with Mark listening to Anthony's radio shows during long drives. However, their relationship was cemented during their first dinner at Anthony's Runway 84 in Fort Lauderdale. In a moment described as a "romantic gesture," Mark swapped his massive portion of chicken parmesan with Anthony's significantly smaller one, instantly establishing a brotherhood based on generosity and a shared love for food. The two discuss how authenticity is their shared trait—what you see on air is exactly who they are in person. 🍽️ The Racing & Dining Circuit The hosts emphasized that horse racing culture is a triad of Racing, Restaurants, and Music. Here are their "Hall of Fame" spots mentioned: Fort Lauderdale (FL): Anthony's Runway 84 – Famous for its airplane fuselage interior and meatballs. Aqueduct (NY): Don Peppe's – A legendary cash-only spot near the stable gate with a "mafia culture" vibe. Belmont (NY): King Umberto's – Big A's "home base" since 1976, famous for Fried Capellini. Miami (FL): The Palm – Mark's regular spot. The Culture of Tracks and Mentorship Anthony reflects on his favorite racetracks, placing Aqueduct ("The Big A") at number one due to his deep personal history there—it is where his parents met and where he launched his career. He recounts his transition from a writer to a track announcer, crediting mentors like Frank Mirahmadi and John Imbriale. Mirahmadi, in particular, played a pivotal role, training Anthony in the announcer's booth before his radio shows and eventually pushing him to call his first live race. The First Call and Career Milestones Anthony vividly describes his first professional race call on December 13, 2018. Overcome with emotion, he stood alone in the booth realizing he was living his childhood dream. He successfully called the race, adding a signature flourish ("Ajnabeen is on the scene"), which earned him high praise from his mentor. Despite the success, veteran announcer John Imbriale reminded him that the pursuit of perfection is "never over," a sentiment that defines the industry's work ethic. 📅 Big A's Timeline of Destiny Nov 28, 2015Stays in the industry after Tonalist wins the Cigar Mile. Dec 13, 2018Calls his first professional race at Aqueduct. Mar 9, 2019Meets his partner Nicole at Aqueduct. Destiny and Tonalist The conversation concludes with a powerful story about fate. In 2015, suffering from a collapsed vocal cord and financial struggles, Anthony almost left the industry to work in real estate. He decided to stay only after his favorite horse, Tonalist, won the Cigar Mile in a dramatic fashion. Years later, he realized that staying led him to meet his partner, Nicole, at Aqueduct—directly under a photo of Tonalist winning that specific race. This series of events reinforced his belief that everything happens for a reason. Key Data Anthony's Age: 47 years old. First Race Call: December 13, 2018, Race 2 at Aqueduct (5-horse field). Pivotal Date: March 9, 2019 (The day Anthony met Nicole). To-Do / Next Steps Mark plans to have Anthony Stabile return as a regular contributor to the show. The show aims to interview Michael Blowen from Old Friends Farm in a future episode. Mark and Anthony agreed to continue their conversation about personal stories in the next episode. Conclusion This episode highlights the deep emotional connection between racing professionals and the sport itself. Through stories of shared meals, mentorship, and serendipitous moments at the track, Mark and Big A illustrate that horse racing is not just a job, but a lifestyle woven together by community, history, and destiny.