Tom Durkin to retire August 31st
 

Sad to see that he is retiring, the absolute best there is. :tro: His race calls turn a race into a story, no video required.

What is your favorite Durkin call? I think recently, the call for the Rags to Riches - Curlin Belmont Stakes or Quality Road's Met Mile would be mine.

kind of an odd date to retire with 1 day of the Spa left.

Article in DRF said that he just wanted the opportunity to enjoy the day.

One last curtain call.

What is he, about sixty?

another reason why he's the best. looks like we'll be up there for the last weekend again. :)

It is sad....I usually spend my lunch hour at work surfing youtube and listening to a lot of races called by Mr. Durkin. There are several, for comedic reasons, that stand out, like "Argh,Argh,Argh" .:)
It will be tough for me to find a "best of". There are so many :tro:

NYRA RELEASE: http://www.nyra.com/belmont/tom-durk...ratoga-aug-31/

63

His 1989 Breeders Cup Classic is a work of art.

Totally agree Billy, very hard to narrow down. A legend, I wish him the best in retirement but will miss his calls so much. :)

who will NYRA replace him with? Doubt John Imbriale wants to do it full time.

His voice was made for the track.

The guy could read the phone book and make it intriguing.

Irreplaceable. Hopefully someone outside of Collmus gets a shot.

Wow! Sensational, race and call! :tro:

That's funny, Steve! When I saw you post a Youtube link that didn't identify the race, I was absolutely certain that it was the 2002 Test Stakes!

Thanks for saving me the trouble. There HAVE been so many iconic calls from Durkin over the years, but that one is the one that continues to stick out in my mind more than any others.

And I guess I know you better than I thought! :D

Well said. I hope it's Dooley.

Durkin should've never been replaced for the Breeders' Cup and Triple Crown. The best there is.

Wasn't that his call? I thought I had heard that he was starting to get uncomfortable calling the big races or something

You're right, I think that was the case with the Triple Crown, but I'm pretty sure he was replaced for the Breeders' Cup.

I might be wrong, but I think I recall that that was a contract conflict. When ESPN took over the Breeders Cup broadcasting from NBC (2006 I think), Tom was under contract with NBC and ESPN couldn't touch him.

I think that's what happened, anyway.

Jerry Bailey...what a set of b$ll$ :tro: sensational race call by TD

For me it's Cigar's BCC win. Durkin's call turned that race into a dramatic work of art.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CpxswmD1LKM

I know everyone knows it, but any excuse to put up the link to it. ;)

Durkin is all class. He is the only announcer IMO whose calls sound natural as opposed to canned or forced. The best that there is, he is an irreplaceable legend who will be sorely missed.

'87 BCC call (Ferdinand & Alysheba) is my favorite of his.
'03 Kentucky Derby ("gutsy gelding") is a great one too.

Hate to see hes leaving, feel bad for whoever tries to fill his shoes. He will be missed, does a great job.

1994 Travers

Good point. It will be important for everyone to stay cognizant of the fact that the next announcer will be a successor, not a replacement. No one could ever "replace" Tom Durkin.

John G Dooley it's your turn now

2004 Belmont was a great call.

Totally agree with you here. Tom Durkin made racing come alive with his story telling of each race as it unfolded. His knowing eye and vocaculary told a story for each race he calls. He never sinks to the commonplace, as more race callers are wont to do now adays, naming each horse entering the gate,nor rely on trite, well worn phrases which are repeated time and again. He is always fresh and unique in his calling with feeling and excitement,z in telling the story of the race he is calling with his excellent vocabulary and well turned phrase. I will really miss hm, much like I miss Harvey Pack. They both are icons of NY racing, simply irreplaceable.

I followed Tom when he left Gulfstream after the 1999 season. Felt like every eye and ear was on me 24/7. Huge responsibility.

I remember a few years ago 'or longer' Dooley in an interview said NY would be his dream job as he's from there.

Hoping he gets his dream and Bill Downes Jr. takes over Arlington, Fairgrounds duties getting his dream.

I agree. He's unbelievable. The annotations he makes in race and the excitement in which he does it makes the whole race come ALIVE. The best ever.

I happen to like Collmus and think he does an excellent job but even as 2nd best he's not even in the same category as Durkin.

And Steve this might be the best interview you have ever had on ATR. Thank you for bringing it to us.

Did Steve interview Tom? If so I'd love to hear it. Can it be linked?

2nd best is a three way tie between denman, Dooley, and Vic

Frank M is third

hope kurt becker gets a shot