Ranking Tom Durkin
 

I wanted to ask how you would rate Tom Durkin as a track announcer. Personally I find his call of the race quite appealing. He doesn't seem to grandstand and I love the way he summarizes what appears to be the eventual winner. Here are a few of my favorites:

2005 Belmont
"And Afleet Alex just ran past Giacomo like he was standing still."

2006 Kentucky Derby
"They're coming to the finish and it's all Barbaro in a sublime performance. He runs away from them all and saves something left for the Preakness."

2007 Kentucky Derby
"And Street Sense has roared from 19th position to first in the Derby. And here is Street Sense, a stretch running sensation to win the Kentucky Derby by 2."

2008 Kentucky Derby
"And it's going to be Big Brown bobbing home to a convincing win in the run for the roses. It is Big Brown by five on the wire."

2008 Preakness
"Big Brown is doing it again. He disappears from the field. He's in front by five. He waltzes home to win the Preakness. No ones ever been close to Big Brown. And now it's on to the Belmont and the elusive triple crown."

And by the way, the butterflies for me watching my horse of choice officially start when I hear Ton Durkin say, "And they're off....in the Kentucky Derby."

past his prime but one of the best, great for the big days.

Whatever floats your boat, ACE.

You fixate on Durkin, I check out the chick sites and love to ride (bike) behind babes with nice asses and calves over at the park. It's all good.

like durkin and hes earned it,but if he does choose to go.. becker

Is it me or is RollerDoc hitting every possible hot internet message board topic possible?

Announcers of races will be a thing of the past once TRAKUS(like) systems are in place.

There's accurate and then there's LESS accurate.

Is that really true? Wouldn't that be trespassing on tradition? Why would they do that. I understand accuracy but couldn't they still have a track announcer?

Durkin is class, one of the best ever.....
 

Vic Stauffer to me has the most excited call these days! His passion for this game comes through in every call he makes! His big race calls are very exciting to here, and are always impressive to hear again, and again in my opinion.

I agree. Durkin is still the best. However I liked Kurt Beckers calls while Tom was away during Derby and Preakness weeks. Becker misjudged the distance between horses a few times but Belmont is a tricky track for a racecaller who is unfamiliar with the track. However he would be a fine choice as the next track announcer at NYRA tracks.

Becker is the best.

Durkin"s best call was the BC a few years back when Dick Mandella wins four on the day, " Man o' man, Mandella today!!"

"Bern-ar-dini...with something in reserve..." Think it was the Jim Dandy.

Edit:
Guess I made that up. Unless it was a different race. Two good performances and calls at Toga though...

Jim Dandy - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d2AdqHEOVns

Travers - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gtq652Uxlqc

Love the Avatar pmacdaddy :D

Thanks. Slapped it on last Sat AM, so I guess it's not bad luck...

He's ok and sometimes I enjoy a good hogging session...but for me nothing beats rollerblading and letting chicks on bikes pass me by so I can get a good look at their asses.

Why did I post this? Because I'm a manly man and this thread makes me uncomfortable.

I think it's written in all of Tom Durkin's contracts that he has to use the word "throatlatch" at least once per race card.

He gets an A on my race call ratings card.

Of all I've ever heard, Denman is my favorite followed by Marshall Cassidy then Durkin.

Durkin and Dooley are my favs...

hilarious, but true. like Peter Galassi at Hawthorne is required to work in at least one "head and head, nose and nose" into every call.

Tampa guy is my fav , followed by Battaglia. Old MNR guy Dolan was a legend.

I love the cartoon character quality of his voice

Tom Durkin should be heard and
not seen.

A fine old aristocratic woman out of the
Victorian era. Who the heck does
his makeup and hair? He is all white
and puffed up.

Get thee to a nunery.

vic stauffer's earthquake call was a classic.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MB9d9Pk48b0

The guy
 

at Freehold is by far the best. Talking about the Yankees losing the night before in the middle of the race.

Is that Letterman ??? the jugheads are so confusing :confused:

In my opinion Tom Durkin is the greatest announcer in horse racing history.

He has an amazing ability to caputre great moments in a way that combines great accuracy as if a reporter while thrilling us with great passion as if a fan.

He changed my profession from a public address medium to a television commentary that caused so many people to want to hear what he had to say next about the stars we love.

His clarity and description was what first made me take note. I used to sit in the paddock at Gulfstream Park and could absolutely know what was happening and perhaps more importantly what might happen each and every race.

When we hear that special intensity in his voice you know that you're listening to the most important racing in the world.

We all have our Durkin favorites.

" The two Derby winners hit the wire together"

" Sunday Silence braces for the oncoming power of Easy Goer"

" Mike Smith lets the Bull roll. But there's casue for Concern"

" A picture is worth a thousand words. This one is worth $5 million dollars"

" Bertrando is a stunned second"

" The unconquerable, invinceable, unbeatable Cigar!"

The bigger the stage the more he steps up and makes calls that are worthy of the moment.

Someone once said to me that I sound a little like Durkin. High praise indeed. The only reason I don't sound exactly like him is that I'm just not good enough.

Horse racing is the only major sport that doesn't honor it's announcers with HOF induction. I think that's a terrible oversight.

What would our memories be without Chic Anderson's " Moving like a tremendous machine"? Or Dave Johnson's " And down the stretch they come"?

Trevor's " They would have to sprout wings!" or Harry Henson's gravely voice saying "here comes Vigors the White Tornado".

Or even Cappy. " The horses are nearing the starting gate. The fan's make their way to the outer rail. That can mean but one thing!. IT IS NOW POST TIME!!"

What a gift from God that they let me go to the races everyday. And get paid to do it.

I should wear a mask when I pick up my paycheck.

Cheers.

VJS

Well said Vic. It's a pleasure to listen to Durkin on a daily basis, sure every now and again he'll fumble one but who doesn't. My favorite announcer trifecta is Durkin over VJS and Becker.

yeah that guy is pretty classic, he used to call Garden States harness and flats back in he day, and maybe AC as well.
He can also be heard in the movie "bronx tale"...... KRYPTONITE!!!!

-bt-

Day in day out, there are better racecallers, but when it comes to the dramatic call, there isn't anyone who can come close to Durkin, and there proibably never will be.

i don't know, dave johnson's derby calls are kinda special as well


-bt-

Vic quoted some of Durkin's all time great race call quotes. For those of you have not heard or not heard in a long time the call of the 1998 Belmont it is a must. Here is the youtube link.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pIRP4UbrCg8


As far as Vic Stauffer is concerned, you are being to humble you add a great element to the races. I don't know what it is but sometimes the passion you bring a stretch drive is just awesome. A few weeks ago the call on Tutta Bella was one of my all time favorites. I guess it didn't hurt I had a large bet on her.

Keep up the good work Vic

The problem with TRAKUS is that I find myself watching those stupid little colored m&m's instead of the actual race.

Wow...I went back and watched that race on the link you sent. So close to the TC. Does anyone have a link to the photo finish.

It prompted me to watch the KYD and Preakness of 1998 too. Victory Gallop looked like a pretty good horse too. Great rivalry. Thanks and enjoyed the call of that Belmont by Durkin.

Incredible!!! Thank you for posting the picture. It makes Birdstone's upset of Smarty seem like a blow out in comparison to the 1998 finish.

I can't wait to see Big Brown go for the TC.

that looks like a pick 6 loser to me!!!:mad:

Durkin's call from the Belmont last year was great. . .

Although I appreciate a great call it's all about the race and the race horses for me Vic. Great calls require great races and "Sprouting Wings, it's post time, and down the stretch" aren't calls they are monikers and taglines of the callers which identify the race caller but do nothing to enhance a call.

I guess it's the difference between a Vin Scully and John Sterling.. To each his own.

The guy has classic shtick

Fair enough. But anybody can have a tagline. You have to make years of great calls which all those guys did. Then people will remember a tagline.