Charlsie Cantey (born c. 1946 inRaleigh, North Carolina), one of broadcasting's veteranthoroughbredhorse racing analysts, is an Americansportscaster who worked forESPN (1985–2002),ABC Sports (1986–2000),WOR-TV (1975–1977),CBS Sports (1977–1986),USA Network (2002–2005) andNBC Sports (2000–2005).
Cantey studied for two years atMount Vernon College for Women then two years atGeorge Washington University, graduating in 1968 despite missing class a number of times to ride horses.[1] She was an exercise rider forRuffian whenFrank Whiteley first started training the filly in late 1973 in Camden, South Carolina,[2] and she later became ahorse trainer.[3]
Cantey appeared on TV onWhat's My Line? as the trainer of a thoroughbred named Arlene Francis, which was named after one of the show's stars; the realArlene Francis failed to guess her occupation.
When Cantey was an exercise rider atBelmont Park in 1975,[3]WOR-TV chose her to co-host that station's weekly racing programs with Frank Wright andDave Johnson. WOR, which at the time aired the most sports coverage of any station in the country with 1,000 hours per year, broadcast three thoroughbred racing programs --Racing from Belmont,Racing fromAqueduct andRacing fromSaratoga—reaching 300,000 viewers each week.New York Racing Association executive director for TV and film Bill Creasy wanted to add a woman to the program, but more importantly, someone who could explain horse racing to the audience. Cantey was recommended by Frank Tours, who had played a major role in racing shows forKNXT inLos Angeles for 13 years. She owned thegelding Too Many Chiefs, the oldest horse active on New York tracks.[1]
From 1977 to 1986, she served as aCBS contributor forNFL,NBA,America's Cup and horse racing coverage. She also served as a panel member on CBS'The NFL Today in1984 replacingPhyllis George, who went onmaternity Leave.
From 1985 to 2002, Cantey was a reporter and analyst forRacing Across America forESPN.[3]
Cantey joined ABC Sports in April 1986. In addition to her coverage of theTriple Crown, she served as an expert analyst and reporter forABC's Wide World of Sports' live coverage of majorKentucky Derby prep races from 1986 through 2001.
In November 2000, Cantey joined NBC Sports as its expert analyst during the network's coverage of the 2000Breeders' Cup. She worked forNBC for 5 years (2000–2005).[citation needed]
From 2002 to 2005, Cantey became a reporter forUSA Network coverage of theWestminster Kennel Club. At that time, Cantey had covered Triple Crown races for 17 consecutive years, moving from CBS to ABC Sports and then NBC Sports. Also for NBC, she coveredBreeders' Cup races. Cantey continued to train horses.[3]
Cantey decided to retire from television after the 2005 Breeders' Cup. She was one of several investors from NBC who owned thefilly Conflict of Interest.[4]
Cantey is the younger sister ofBarbara Howar.[5] Charlsie's father Charles Oscar Dearing wanted to name his son after himself, but she turned out to be a girl.
Her first husband wastrainerJoseph B. Cantey whom she married in 1969 inCamden, South Carolina. By 1976, Charlsie was 30, and her husband had been a trainer for five years.[1] They have one son, J.B. Cantey, apediatrician.
Cantey is married to Douglas Davidson and lives inOkatie, South Carolina.[3]
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