Ranking Tom Durkin

[AeWingnut]

Originally Posted by Zaf

Tampa guy is my fav , followed by Battaglia. Old MNR guy Dolan was a legend.

I love the cartoon character quality of his voice

Tom Durkin should be heard and
not seen.

A fine old aristocratic woman out of the
Victorian era. Who the heck does
his makeup and hair? He is all white
and puffed up.

Get thee to a nunery.

[hi_im_god]

vic stauffer's earthquake call was a classic.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MB9d9Pk48b0

[asudevil]

at Freehold is by far the best. Talking about the Yankees losing the night before in the middle of the race.

[Zaf]

Originally Posted by asudevil

at Freehold is by far the best. Talking about the Yankees losing the night before in the middle of the race.

Is that Letterman ??? the jugheads are so confusing

In my opinion Tom Durkin is the greatest announcer in horse racing history.

He has an amazing ability to caputre great moments in a way that combines great accuracy as if a reporter while thrilling us with great passion as if a fan.

He changed my profession from a public address medium to a television commentary that caused so many people to want to hear what he had to say next about the stars we love.

His clarity and description was what first made me take note. I used to sit in the paddock at Gulfstream Park and could absolutely know what was happening and perhaps more importantly what might happen each and every race.

When we hear that special intensity in his voice you know that you're listening to the most important racing in the world.

We all have our Durkin favorites.

" The two Derby winners hit the wire together"

" Sunday Silence braces for the oncoming power of Easy Goer"

" Mike Smith lets the Bull roll. But there's casue for Concern"

" A picture is worth a thousand words. This one is worth $5 million dollars"

" Bertrando is a stunned second"

" The unconquerable, invinceable, unbeatable Cigar!"

The bigger the stage the more he steps up and makes calls that are worthy of the moment.

Someone once said to me that I sound a little like Durkin. High praise indeed. The only reason I don't sound exactly like him is that I'm just not good enough.

Horse racing is the only major sport that doesn't honor it's announcers with HOF induction. I think that's a terrible oversight.

What would our memories be without Chic Anderson's " Moving like a tremendous machine"? Or Dave Johnson's " And down the stretch they come"?

Trevor's " They would have to sprout wings!" or Harry Henson's gravely voice saying "here comes Vigors the White Tornado".

Or even Cappy. " The horses are nearing the starting gate. The fan's make their way to the outer rail. That can mean but one thing!. IT IS NOW POST TIME!!"

What a gift from God that they let me go to the races everyday. And get paid to do it.

I should wear a mask when I pick up my paycheck.

Cheers.

VJS

[pgiaco]

Well said Vic. It's a pleasure to listen to Durkin on a daily basis, sure every now and again he'll fumble one but who doesn't. My favorite announcer trifecta is Durkin over VJS and Becker.

[-BT-]

Originally Posted by asudevil

at Freehold is by far the best. Talking about the Yankees losing the night before in the middle of the race.

yeah that guy is pretty classic, he used to call Garden States harness and flats back in he day, and maybe AC as well.
He can also be heard in the movie "bronx tale"...... KRYPTONITE!!!!

-bt-

[ateamstupid]

Day in day out, there are better racecallers, but when it comes to the dramatic call, there isn't anyone who can come close to Durkin, and there proibably never will be.

[-BT-]

Originally Posted by ateamstupid

Day in day out, there are better racecallers, but when it comes to the dramatic call, there isn't anyone who can come close to Durkin, and there proibably never will be.

i don't know, dave johnson's derby calls are kinda special as well


-bt-

[Blinkers Off]

Vic quoted some of Durkin's all time great race call quotes. For those of you have not heard or not heard in a long time the call of the 1998 Belmont it is a must. Here is the youtube link.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pIRP4UbrCg8


As far as Vic Stauffer is concerned, you are being to humble you add a great element to the races. I don't know what it is but sometimes the passion you bring a stretch drive is just awesome. A few weeks ago the call on Tutta Bella was one of my all time favorites. I guess it didn't hurt I had a large bet on her.

Keep up the good work Vic

[herkhorse]

Originally Posted by the_fat_man

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.

The problem with TRAKUS is that I find myself watching those stupid little colored m&m's instead of the actual race.

[RollerDoc]

Originally Posted by Blinkers Off

Vic quoted some of Durkin's all time great race call quotes. For those of you have not heard or not heard in a long time the call of the 1998 Belmont it is a must. Here is the youtube link.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pIRP4UbrCg8


As far as Vic Stauffer is concerned, you are being to humble you add a great element to the races. I don't know what it is but sometimes the passion you bring a stretch drive is just awesome. A few weeks ago the call on Tutta Bella was one of my all time favorites. I guess it didn't hurt I had a large bet on her.

Keep up the good work Vic

Wow...I went back and watched that race on the link you sent. So close to the TC. Does anyone have a link to the photo finish.

It prompted me to watch the KYD and Preakness of 1998 too. Victory Gallop looked like a pretty good horse too. Great rivalry. Thanks and enjoyed the call of that Belmont by Durkin.

[ateamstupid]

Originally Posted by RollerDoc

Wow...I went back and watched that race on the link you sent. So close to the TC. Does anyone have a link to the photo finish.

It prompted me to watch the KYD and Preakness of 1998 too. Victory Gallop looked like a pretty good horse too. Great rivalry. Thanks and enjoyed the call of that Belmont by Durkin.

[RollerDoc]

Originally Posted by ateamstupid

Incredible!!! Thank you for posting the picture. It makes Birdstone's upset of Smarty seem like a blow out in comparison to the 1998 finish.

I can't wait to see Big Brown go for the TC.

[hoovesupsideyourhead]

Originally Posted by ateamstupid

that looks like a pick 6 loser to me!!!

[hockey2315]

Durkin's call from the Belmont last year was great. . .

[freddymo]

Originally Posted by v j stauffer

In my opinion Tom Durkin is the greatest announcer in horse racing history.

He has an amazing ability to caputre great moments in a way that combines great accuracy as if a reporter while thrilling us with great passion as if a fan.

He changed my profession from a public address medium to a television commentary that caused so many people to want to hear what he had to say next about the stars we love.

His clarity and description was what first made me take note. I used to sit in the paddock at Gulfstream Park and could absolutely know what was happening and perhaps more importantly what might happen each and every race.

When we hear that special intensity in his voice you know that you're listening to the most important racing in the world.

We all have our Durkin favorites.

" The two Derby winners hit the wire together"

" Sunday Silence braces for the oncoming power of Easy Goer"

" Mike Smith lets the Bull roll. But there's casue for Concern"

" A picture is worth a thousand words. This one is worth $5 million dollars"

" Bertrando is a stunned second"

" The unconquerable, invinceable, unbeatable Cigar!"

The bigger the stage the more he steps up and makes calls that are worthy of the moment.

Someone once said to me that I sound a little like Durkin. High praise indeed. The only reason I don't sound exactly like him is that I'm just not good enough.

Horse racing is the only major sport that doesn't honor it's announcers with HOF induction. I think that's a terrible oversight.

What would our memories be without Chic Anderson's " Moving like a tremendous machine"? Or Dave Johnson's " And down the stretch they come"?

Trevor's " They would have to sprout wings!" or Harry Henson's gravely voice saying "here comes Vigors the White Tornado".

Or even Cappy. " The horses are nearing the starting gate. The fan's make their way to the outer rail. That can mean but one thing!. IT IS NOW POST TIME!!"

What a gift from God that they let me go to the races everyday. And get paid to do it.

I should wear a mask when I pick up my paycheck.

Cheers.

VJS

Although I appreciate a great call it's all about the race and the race horses for me Vic. Great calls require great races and "Sprouting Wings, it's post time, and down the stretch" aren't calls they are monikers and taglines of the callers which identify the race caller but do nothing to enhance a call.

I guess it's the difference between a Vin Scully and John Sterling.. To each his own.

[freddymo]

Originally Posted by asudevil

at Freehold is by far the best. Talking about the Yankees losing the night before in the middle of the race.

The guy has classic shtick

Originally Posted by freddymo

Although I appreciate a great call it's all about the race and the race horses for me Vic. Great calls require great races and "Sprouting Wings, it's post time, and down the stretch" aren't calls they are monikers and taglines of the callers which identify the race caller but do nothing to enhance a call.

I guess it's the difference between a Vin Scully and John Sterling.. To each his own.

Fair enough. But anybody can have a tagline. You have to make years of great calls which all those guys did. Then people will remember a tagline.