MARK O'KEEFFE

Mark has performed First Call at the following 43 race tracks, in 20 states and Canada.

Click on any logo for more information, memoirs, videos and photos.

Albuquerque, New Mexico

Watch Video

I was the official track bugler for the 1993 season and the 1996 NM State Fair.

Major races include The Lineage Stakes.

Moving back to New Mexico and taking this gig was at the same time smart and foolish. I had some FU money after leaving NYRA and since they were only paying me $69.00 a day (after 5 years!!!) and Albuquerque was offering $110.00 a day, and I had family there, I thought why not. The track made me their TV host, radio host and handicapper and bugling took a back seat, just playing live on weekends. I learned a lot, but I had gone (once again - that's why it was foolish) from NY to NM and the adjustment - no matter how much money I had - was just impossible.

Ozone Park, Queens, New York

Watch Video: 

I was the official track bugler at Aqueduct from September, 1987 through December, 1992.

Major races include The Wood Memorial (G1).

The racing season was 7 months of absolute hell. My "office" was a public toilet which I had to share with 2 other outriders who clearly were not happy about sharing the room with me. The track was too cheap to buy me a proper uniform, so here I am pictured in the uniform of my predecessor, smelly boots and all. In those days, the bugling stage was right up against the grandstand fence and the microphone on the floor, so in most photos at Aqueduct my posture sucks. The morale of the employees sucked too, but I was already aware of that from my first 2 months at Belmont. Here you could be walking down the hall and say hello to the only other visible person there and still be ignored.  Fortunately, I did hit a big pick 6 there and was able to leave NYRA for greener pastures.

McKee City, New Jersey

Since 2003 I am occassionally called upon to

substitute for official track bugler Rich Garrick.

South Sioux City, Nebraska

I performed one time at Horsemen's Atokad Park

in September of 2004. No photo available.

Nice people, but the track itself is the absolute "bottom of the barrell" as far as race tracks go. The place was literally crumbling before my eyes. I recall the weather being very cold and my performance not too good. But then again, none of the 35 patrons there that day was paying attention anyway......

Elmont, New York

Watch Video

I was the official track bugler at Belmont Park from September, 1987 - December, 1992.

At my audition in July of 19987, I received a standing ovation for my first 3 races (performances).

I have performed for every major race run at this track including the final running of

The Marlboro Cup (G1), as well as The Belmont Stakes (G1) and The Breeders' Cup (G1),

 the latter 2 events both as a soloist and as the director of The All-Star Buglers.

On my very first day as the official NYRA bugler, the very first person I met on my way to play the call for the first time was a female outrider.

 I looked at her and said "Hello". She replied "Fuck You!!!" 

It didn't take long for my attitude to fall right in line with hers. On the bright side, I didn't have to wander the crowd begging for tips while performing a clown routine. Rather, I put my brain to use, learned how to handicap the races and eventually made enough money to walk away from the lowest paid bugling gig in North America.

Charles Town, West Virginia

I have performed at Charles Town Races with The All-Star Buglers for the West Virginia Breeders' Classic each year since 2006.

Another track I enjoy visiting. It would be even nicer if the weather were warmer. Nonetheless, the fans there really enjoy our performances.

John Curcio, Jason Rambler, Mark O'Keeffe, James Witherite-Reig.

Chester, Pennsylvania

I performed with The All-Star Buglers for the 2008 Ben Franklin Pace.

Another track fueled by slot dollars, I was fortunate to have a good friend working there as the GM and he hired the All-Star Buglers for this one date. Despite our friendship (he no longer is employed there either) and the fact that I live just 10 minutes from the track, the track still uses a recording.......

            Ed Dougherty, Jason Rambler, Mark O'Keeffe

                                Photo: World Wide Photo

Louisville, Kentucky

No, I've never played for the Kentucky Derby, but I have performed at Churchill Downs on 3 occassions

with The All-Star Buglers: the 1998, 2000 & 2006 Breeders' Cup (G1).

One of my favorite tracks at which to call the horses to post because you are playing from the infield pagoda.

.

Photo: Steve Buttleman

Stanton, Delaware

I was the official track bugler at Delaware Park from April 1997 - October 2000.

Major Races include The Delaware Handicap (G2).

Delaware Park is a bitter sweet story. Getting hired there was my ticket out of the desert, but I was lied to by the track's general manager right from the start, and what should have been a part time seasonal bugling gig turned out to be a full time job doing stuff I had no desire, experience or intention of doing. Fueled by newly available slot revenues, Delaware Park seemed to be the only track in the country moving in the right direction, but soon it was apparrant that racing was just a side show to slots and now, 9 years after my departure, Delaware Park's racing is no better than it was when I first arrived there in 1997.

 Renton, Washington

I performed at Emerald Downs with The All-Star Buglers

for the 2008 and 2009 Longacres Mile (G2).

A beautiful race track with a first class bugler in Dan Harrington.

Dade City, Florida

I have performed at the Little Everglades Steeplechase

with The All-Star Buglers from 2004 - 2009.

This has always been one of my favorite places to perform. Like Churchill Downs, the bugling stage is set in the middle of the race course.

The other great thing about performing at any steeplechase event is that unlike at thoroughbred or standardbred tracks, steeplechase racing in America has no pari mutual wagering. Thus, most race goers at steeplechasing events seem to be in a great mood all day long.  

Farmington, New York

I have performed at Finger Lakes Race Track on 5 occassions with The All-Star Buglers, most

noteably on July 4, 2007 for the final race of 2003 Kentucky Derby and Preakness winner Funny Cide.

I've always enjoyed my trips to Finger Lakes with The All-Star Buglers. It has an old fashioned race track feel to it and the people there are very generous and appreciative of our performances.

John Curcio and Mark O'Keeffe.

Freehold, New Jersey

I have performed solo and with The All-Star Buglers for

The Cane Pace - 2nd leg of the pacing Triple Crown since 2003.

Another gig for which I owe a debt of gratitude to Monmouth bugler Frank Hughes.

John Curcio and Mark O'Keeffe

Photo: World Wide Photo

Cherry Hill, New Jersey

I performed for the final running of

           The Jersey Derby (G2) at Garden State Park in 1997.     

Hallandale, Florida

I have performed at Gulfstream Park with The All-Star Buglers on 10 occassions.

Major Races include The Florida Derby (G1), The Fountain of Youth (G1),

The Breeders' Cup (G1) and The Sunshine Millions. 

Harrington, Delaware

I have performed at Harrington Raceway on numerous occassions.

Major races include The Messenger Stakes and The Governor's Cup.

Vancouver, Canada

Watch Video

I was a guest bugler at Hastings Park in Vancouver, Canada on August 13, 2009.

Inglewood, California

Watch Video

I performed at Hollywood Park for the 2007 Cash Call Futurity (G1), formerly known as

The Hollywood Futurity (G1).

Same deal as the other LA track. $150.00 for the gig and no expenses. Thanks a lot.

Framed by my two lovely nieces

Photo: Sis

Omaha, Nebraska

I performed at Horsemen's Park with The All-Star Buglers

on opening and closing days of the 2008 summer meet.

Tom Damato, Dale Sloman, John Kool, Mark O'Keeffe

Laurel, Maryland

Watch Video

I performed at Laurel Park on numerous occassions both solo and with The All-Star Buglers since 1997.

Major races include The Maryland Million, The Barbara Fritchie (G2), The General George (G2) and The DeFrancis Dash (G2).

        T.J. Lama and Mark O'Keeffe

Bossier City, Louisiana

I have performed for The Super Derby (G2) on 3 occassions.

In 2006, I had a conversation there with a retired hall of fame jockey and we got to talking about "bad luck" and how a particular trainer got robbed out of the Kentucky Derby because another "hall of fame jockey" used a buzzer on the "winner", thus cheating a lot of people out of their money. Well, this hall of famer I was talking too looked at me and actually said "You must be crazy". Coincidentally, not only have I not been called back, the track won't even return a simple phone call. That's what I call  "good 'ol boys networking"!

East Rutherford, NJ

Watch Video

I have been the official track bugler at The Meadowlands since 2003.

Major races include The Meadowlands Cup (G2), The Hambletonian, The Meadowlands Pace and The Breeders Crown.

While it's only weekend bugling, the Meadowlands is absolutely the best track I've ever worked. It has the best "bugler's office" of any track in the country and they often serve great food for free! Nice pool table, ping pong table, televisions etc.  Belmont Park should be so nice. The people at NJSEA are very friendly, helpful, professional, respectful and seem genuinely appreciative of my talents, and they pay me well - unlike my first employer across the river...... And they do not allow the bugler to wander the crowd between races begging for tips while performing a clown routine!

 Photo: Lisa Photo

Oceanport, New Jersey

Thanks to long time monmouth Park bugler Frank Hughes, I was the assistant track bugler there from 2003 - 2008.

 Major races include The Haskell Invitational (G1), The Molly Pitcher (G2) & The Jersey Derby (G2).

Another of my favorite tracks to play at. The people there are very friendly and welcoming. The only drag is waiting for a cue to play from the camera guy. Ahem, I think I've been doing this gig long enough to know when it's time to play.............

Chester, West Virginia

I have performed at The West Virginia Derby twice:

as a soloist in 1998 and with The All-Star Buglers in 1999.

I performed at the 2005 Montpelier Steeplechase.

Hot Springs, Arkansas

I have performed at Oaklawn Park with The All-Star Buglers on 4 occassions.

Major races include The Arkansas Derby (G2), The Oaklawn Handicap (G1) & The Rebel Stakes (G3).

Another gem of a race track. Only problem is that it's a difficult place to fly in and out of making our visits there (apparantly) cost prohibitive. We would love to return to Oaklawn Park at sometime in the furture.

Ocala, Florida

Watch Video

I have performed with The All-Star Buglers at

The Ocala Championships every year since 1998.

Another of my favorite tracks at which to play. This is a one day event and like steeplechase racing,

there is no parimutual wagering, so you guessed it. Everyone is in a great mood!!!!

Dale Sloman, Andy Reese, Mark O'Keeffe

Bensalem, Pennsylvania

Watch Video

I have performed at Philadelphia Park with The All-Star Buglers on 4 occassions.

Major races include The Pennsylvania Derby (G2).

I used to visit Philadelphia Park on my off days when I was bugling at Aqueduct and Belmont.

Here's yet another track with millions of slot dollars rolling in and except for a few big days, they still use a recording......and I live just 30 miles away...........

Photo: Equiphoto

Erie, Pennsylvania

Watch Video

The All-Star Buglers played for the grand opening and closing night of 2007

as well as opening day and the Masters Stakes in 2008.

Mark O'Keeffe and Ed Dougherty

Baltimore, Maryland

No, I've never played for The Preakness(G1), but I did performed at Pimlico on numerous occassions from 1997-2004.

Major races include The Pimlico Special (G1). So why not The Preakness? Well, the folks at Pimlico, in their infinate wisdom sought fit to bring in a "legend' who shall remain nameless. He was a legend alright. A legendary drunk who drank all day long and by post time for the big race he was so sloshed that any high school kid could have done a better job. Fed up with all the negative attention this brought to me, I complained. Big mistake. The drunk is long gone, but I still get passed over for the Preakness, even if it costs Pimlico MORE MONEY to bring someone else in. This is a track that has been crying the finiancial blues for decades, but they apparantly have a few "screw you" dollars handy.

Detroit, Michigan

The All-Star Buglers performed for the grand opening of Pinnacle Race Course.

A personal milestone for me in that I played "First Call" for the 55,000th time in my career.

Ed Dougherty and Mark O'Keeffe

Malverne, Pennsylvania

I have performed at Radnor with The All-Star Buglers twice.

Major race: The National Hunt Cup, 2nd leg of the steeplechase Triple Crown.

Another steeplechase event I love attending at it's only 30 minutes from my home!

What I really love, though is the irony..........This event is run the same day as the Preakness and "Preakness Day" is hands down the longest day for a bugler as post time for the first race is 10:30 AM and the last race is 7:10 PM. Pimlico is 90 minutes from my home. The Radnor Hunt Races begin at 1 PM and end at 4PM. Hmmm...... a 15 hour day vs. a 4 hour day - for the same pay!!!!!

Mark O'Keeffe and Ed Dougherty

Ruidoso, New Mexico

Watch Video

I performed for the All American Futurity in 1995 and 1996

and the Rainbow Futurity and the Ruidoso Futurity in 1996.

These 3 races comprise the Quarter Horse Triple Crown.

 Arcadia, California

I performed with The All-Star Buglers at the 1999 and 2000 Santa Anita Handicap (G1);  the 2008 Malibu Stakes (G1) and the 2008 Breeders' Cup(G1).

Hands down the most beautiful race track in the country - and the cheapest. On 3 of the 4 occassions I played there I netted $450.00 and had to pay for my own plane tickets and hotels.   

Jason Rambler and Mark O'Keeffe @ The 2008 Breeders' Cup (G1)

Photo:

Santa Fe, New Mexico

I was the official track bugler for the 1993 summer meet.

Same deal as Albuquerque as these 2 meets were run under the same racing association.

Same deal as Belmont - too cheap to supply a bugling uniform..........the track folded the following year........

Shawan, Maryland

I performed for the Legacy Steeplechase on 2 occassions.

No Photo available.

Boston, Massachussetts

I have performed at Suffolk Downs on 4 occassions, both solo and with

The All-Star Buglers. Major race: The Mass "Cap (G2).

Another of my favorite tracks at which to play.

John Curcio, Mark O'Keeffe, Jay Rambler, Dale Sloman

Oldsmar, Florida

Watch Video

I have performed at The Tampa Bay Derby (G3) on 10 occassions with The All-Star Buglers.

Other major races include The Florida Oaks (G3).

This was a regular gig (and a favorite!) until the track got sued for playing music between races without paying fees to ASCAP. Couple that with the fact that I had to fire their bugler at the 2007 Breeders' Cup, sadly, it doesn't look like we'll be back at Tampa any time soon.

John Lombard, Mark O'Keeffe, Steve Buttleman

North Randall, Ohio

I have performed for The Ohio Derby (G2) on 6 occassions.

Thistledown gave me the opportunity to spread my wings and become a guest bugler for major racing events. It was through then track announcer John Dooley, a former collegue at NYRA and now the announcer at Arlington that I was able to play at this track. John contacted then track president Mike Mackey and I was on my way to a free lance career performing at more race tracks than any bugler in history. Thank you John and Mike!

Photo: J.J. Zamaico

Unionville, Pennsylvania

I performed for the 2002 Pennsylvania Hunt Cup.

No photo available.

Kennett Square, Pennsylvania

I have performed at The Willowdale Steeplechase both solo and with

The All-Star Buglers since 2003.

 Yonkers, New York

I performed with The All-Star Buglers at the 2007 Night of Champions and the 2009 Art Rooney Pace.

Mark O'Keeffe, Andy Reese, Gene Gurick