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.