THE ALL - STAR BUGLERS

          Over the years there has been a great deal of discussion (and confusion) regarding the proper title of the tune played by race track buglers prior to each race.  Without a doubt the question most often asked of  the bugler is "What 's the name of that song you play?"  The correct and proper title is "First Call". Its roots trace back to the military as it was (and still is today) used as a warning call to prepare for Reveille, Retreat, Parade, Review and field music to Assembly. 

"First Call"  (As performed by James F. Burke on a Bb Trumpet)

   Exactly when its use began at the race track is debatable. According to The American Turf, one Mr. F.A. Heckler is credited with being the first race track bugler in America, performing "First Call" at Monmouth Park in 1885, and he is believed to have continued in that role at all of the other eastern race tracks as well. The earliest known film footage of a live race track bugler was shot during the filming of a documentary about the legendary Seabiscuit in 1938 at Santa Anita Park, in Arcadia, California. There the track bugler dressed in equestrian attire performed "First Call" on a trumpet pitched in Bb as Seabiscuit entered the track for the Santa Anita Handicap.

    Two common (and incorrect) titles are often used when describing the song that race track buglers play.  "The Call to Post" is merely a slang term while "Boots and Saddles" is an entirely different tune  (listen >>>  boots.wav )- although the latter has been performed  for some 35 years at Keeneland Racecourse in Lexington, Kentucky instead of "First Call".  This may explain some of the confusion.

   "First Call" was written to be performed in 3/8 time on a bugle pitched in G, however no active race track bugler in America today plays it on a bugle, and very few play it in 3/8 time. In fact, most buglers use a herald trumpet or a coach horn pitched in Bb and play a "safer" variation of the tune in 3/4 time. The longer horns are designed for better projection of sound, but in reality they just look more appealing. After all, the bugler is usually playing into a microphone and so it really doesn't matter what type of  horn is used, just as long as the crowd gets the message that the horses are about to enter the race track.