Presque Isle Downs race caller Bill Downes has been named Ellis Park’s new announcer, replacing Luke Kruytbosch, who died on July 14 at his Evansville, Indiana, apartment.

Downes will make his debut at the Henderson, Kentucky, racetrack on August 6.

“Bill is an incredible announcer and we are very pleased to bring such an up and coming young talent to Ellis Park,” Ellis Park owner Ron Geary said. “Luke was a legend and one of the best announcers in the country. Luke is very difficult to replace, but we feel Bill will be a great addition to the Ellis Park team.”

The Columbus, Ohio, resident is also a successful handicapper, qualifying for the 2008 National Handicapping Championship.

Along with Presque Isle, Downes has called races at Beulah Park and River Downs in Ohio. An announcer has not yet been named to replace him at the Erie, Pennsylvania, track.

Turfway Park announcer Mike Battaglia and Keith Nelson from the Woodlands have been calling races at Ellis Park in the interim.

“We were grateful for Mike to come in at the last minute to fill in for us, and we have been very pleased and impressed with Keith,” Geary said.