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From Jerry Bossert of the NY Daily News:

Final Belmont Stakes for veteran announcer Tom Durkin

Quote:

Could California Chrome give Durkin his first Triple Crown victory call in his final assignment? We will find out as the 63-year-old will call his last Belmont.

How awesome would that be?

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cardus (Post 979409)

I didn't see it as genius.

Cool. That's what makes the world go round.

durkin is just the best....period. he just didnt call races. he told stories. he will be missed.(by me anyway)

NY Times : One Last Shot for the Voice of Racing

At Belmont Stakes, Tom Durkin Will Try a Final Time for a Triple Crown Call

Quote:

Originally Posted by TouchOfGrey (Post 979420)

From Jerry Bossert of the NY Daily News:

Final Belmont Stakes for veteran announcer Tom Durkin

How awesome would that be?

It would be a sign of a just universe.

Quote:

Originally Posted by GenuineRisk (Post 981206)

It would be a sign of a just universe.

:tro:

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Originally Posted by casp0555 (Post 977650)

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:

I now beleive we have not heard Tom Durkin's "best" race call yet. I think Saturday will be special...........will be listening for sure

saw the 87 classic last week, gave me goose bumps.

Quote:

Originally Posted by alysheba4 (Post 981243)

saw the 87 classic last week, gave me goose bumps.

Just watched it again. Great race!!!

DRF|Durkin honored with Big Sport of Turfdom award

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Durkin is the first track announcer to receive the Big Sport of Turfdom, which has been awarded annually since 1966.

Durkin, 63, joins a list of winners that includes jockeys Mike Smith, Pat Day, Laffit Pincay Jr., Chris McCarron, Bill Shoemaker, Angel Cordero Jr., Eddie Arcaro, and last year’s winner, Gary Stevens. Trainers Bob Baffert, D. Wayne Lukas, and Jack Van Berg also won this award, as did author Laura Hillenbrand, broadcaster Jim McKay, and actors Tim Conway and Jack Klugman, individuals who may not be involved in the day-to-day aspect of Thoroughbred racing but made significant contributions to the sport.

:tro::tro:

Durkin to Receive Eclipse Award of Merit

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Capping an extraordinary career as one of North America's premier race track announcers and one of the most popular personalities in Thoroughbred racing, Tom Durkin—longtime voice of the New York Racing Association tracks, the Breeders' Cup, and the Triple Crown—will be honored with the Eclipse Award of Merit for a lifetime of outstanding achievement in the Thoroughbred industry.

Durkin, 64, who retired Aug. 30 at Saratoga Race Course in Saratoga Springs, N.Y., after a 43-year-career, will be presented the Award of Merit at The 44th Annual Eclipse Awards dinner and ceremony on Saturday, Jan. 17 at Gulfstream Park in Hallandale Beach, Fla.

"This is quite an honor and quite a surprise," Durkin remarked. "The award has never been given to a track announcer before, and to be singled out when you consider all of the great announcers who preceded me like Fred Capossela, Joe Hernandez, Chic Anderson and Dave Johnson, this is quite a distinction.

Read more on BloodHorse.com: http://www.bloodhorse.com/horse-raci...#ixzz3MHGJaEWB

Retirement is looking good on Tom....

http://www.thoroughbreddailynews.com...ays-the-thing/

Quote:

Originally Posted by casp0555 (Post 1050079)

Retirement is looking good on Tom....

http://www.thoroughbreddailynews.com...ays-the-thing/

Thanks for posting this. Great to see!