Trevor Denman

[Charismatic1]

I think Denman missed the Pine Island tragedy because the field was on the backstretch. At that point, he's using his binoculars to see the horses, which I'm assuming gives him a very narrow look at the field. He had just finished calling the 14th place horse and had gone back to the front of the pack. She was about a dozen lengths back at that point. He's probably not going to see her. Obviously, many were left wondering "where's Pine Island", but when you're calling a 14-horse championship race, you don't have time to ask yourself that question. In contrast, Fleet Indian was near the front and in his frame of vision.

I think Denman is a fine caller, but I was worried he wouldn't raise his game. The fact is that the BC is not a state-bred claimer and deserves to be called as such. I think he did an okay job. Sure, he missed a few spots (Street Sense being the notable one), but I kind of expected that for his first time. Like someone else mentioned, it seemed he did pay attention to the favorites a little too much in a couple races.

I don't envy Denman's position. I was pissed that Durkin wasn't going to call this year's Cup. He's THE voice of the Cup. That's what happens when one guy calls it for 22 years. Durkin became as much of the Breeders' Cup's identity as the races. His race calls make those commercials the NTRA was airing pretty neat. It's not going to be easy to get used to the change, but Denman represented himself well for his first time. And this is coming from a guy who initially thought Denaman would be absolutely terrible for the Breeders' Cup.

[Byebyemermaid]

As i said on a thread that i had started is that i don't think Denman prepared the same way as Durkin.Durkin would of had been prepared for certain instances in races in advance.Example Ferdinand and Alysheba where he stated the 2 derby winners hit the wire together.I think that he put that in his mind days before.No matter how long he calls the cup races i don't think you'll ever get any catch phrases from Trevor.the difference as i stated on the other thread,Durkin,race caller/entertainer.Denman,race caller.

[Danzig]

durkin said he planned ahead for things. i remember him talking about it before smartys belmont.

really, missing pine island was my only real beef with denman, so i don't understand why my comments generated to much flak. all in all i guess he did pretty well.