biography

Jon White owns the distinction of being the first on-air personality hired by the network when it began in 2002. During his decade-long association with HRTV, the knowledgeable White has filled a wide variety of on-air roles. He currently serves as a host and analyst for the network's daily racing coverage. He also is involved with the weekly handicapping show, "The Edge." During a segment of The  Edge in 2012, White's Kentucky Derby pick was I'll Have Another, who won and  paid $32.60. The well-respected White has also been the host of HRTV's award-winning documentary show, “Inside Information,” as well as “Classic Countdown” and “At the Half.”

Jon was also a key member of the Eclipse Award-winning Santa Anita Park Broadcast team.
His involvement with HRTV has taken him to many tracks for key races. He was the first host of an on-site HRTV broadcast at the 2003 Preakness Stakes, and since then has hosted on-site telecasts of the Super Derby (Louisiana Downs), the Summit of Speed (Calder), the Delta Downs Jackpot, and the Claiming Crown at both Canterbury Park and Ellis Park. He also was a member of HRTV’s on-site broadcast team for multiple Breeders’ Cups -- Lone Star Park (2004), Churchill Downs (2006) and Santa Anita in (2008-09).
White developed a love for the sport as a youngster, being drawn to the intricacies of the Daily Racing Form, and he has enjoyed a long career involved in racing. He began his racing career in 1974 with the Daily Racing Form at Playfair Race Course. In all, he spent 24 years with the DRF, serving in a number of capacities all over the country.
In 1979, he was hired as a steward for the Washington Horse Racing Commission at the age of 24, making him the youngest steward in the history of racing in America. He also has held the position of steward in Idaho in the 1990s and in California in 2010.
White began his TV career in 1993 at Santa Anita as a paddock commentator for that track’s simulcast network and continues to offer his expertise in that capacity during live racing at “The Great Race Place.”  He also makes the morning line for all of the  races at Santa Anita. He made the official morning lines for the  2009 and 2012 Breeders' Cups and will be doing so again for the 2013  Breeders' Cup.
 
White was bestowed the Mark Kaufman Media Award in 2003 from the Washington Thoroughbred Breeders and Owners Association for “excellence in reporting on the Thoroughbred industry.” He was recognized for his contributions to racing when asked to be the “honorary steward” for the 2011 Longacres Mile at Emerald Downs.