A native of Idaho, Aaron Vercruysse graduated from the same Boise, Idaho-area high school as Hall of Fame jockey Gary Stevens. That doesn't mean Vercruysse can ride horses or act, so he's found another niche in the racing industry as one of HRTV's freshest hosts.

Vercruysse graduated from the University of Arizona Racetrack Industry Program, with a major in Animal Science. His first job in racing was with Magna Entertainment Corp. as the Assistant to the Director of Simulcasting.

"My dream was to call races and to be an analyst on TV," he says. "I'd talk racing for hours with you if you'd let me."

Vercruysse called races at Bay Meadows in San Mateo, CA and worked as a contestant/handicapper on a racing show hosted by HDNET. In 2004 he was promoted to Simulcast Coordinator for MEC California, including Santa Anita, Golden Gate and Oak Tree at Santa Anita.

He soon joined HRTV in the Host/Analyst role.

Vercruysse brings a youthful energy and a fresh outlook to the game and considers himself both an employee and a fan.

"When I sit down at the HRTV desk, I don't feel like I'm working," says Vercruysse. "I feel like a very fortunate fan."