Durkin steps down as Triple Crown voice; Collmus takes over

[Travis Stone]

Tom Durkin largely defined what race calling has become. Dave Johnson started to turn the corner, and Durkin just took the idea and ran with it.

The lines he's delivered over the years are not by accident, they are the result of hours of hard work and preparation, just like any sportscaster prepares for a big game.

If you look back at the last 25 years of horse racing, we've had some awesome races, and nothing will ever take away from what happens on the track. But when you took Durkin at his best, and piled his way with words, drama and excitement on top of it, it was awesome. And hopefully will still be for years to come in NY.

Nothing lasts forever though... Larry gave me my start -- he let me call two races at Suffolk Downs in January 2005 -- and since we've been good friends. We became even better friends after I spent the winter at Gulfstream Park last year. He's a pro, he'll do an awesome job and I'm really excited for him!