Durkin Going Downhill

[ArlJim78]

Originally Posted by jballscalls

All great announcers, but "better" is a very subjective thing. what makes them "better" than Tom Durkin. Because i'll bet all of them would tell you he is "better" than they are.

Right, it could actually be that they are better at this point at simply making fewer mistakes. The guys mentioned are all in their prime. But overall better? I don't know about that. Like I said previously, I'll take Durkin with a few miscues anytime.

[The Bid]

Why is Dooley always overlooked, hes fantastic.

Stauffer is a joke

Mike Rona at Golden Gate is good, he used to be the Thistledown caller until he was caught in a love triangel and had the **** beat out of him.

Luke is real good.

Battaglia couldnt call the police if he were getting robbed, hes a sack of dung

[Sightseek]

The guy in CA sounds like he was possessed by a constipated robot.

[The Bid]

Watching him strut around Gulfstream, or talk on TVG, makes me want to vomit. Hes a horrible handicapper, hes a brutal racecaller, and he was a clown jock agent. For some reason he thinks hes important, I havent figured out why yet

[bigjag0716]

He's still a good racr caller but he puts in a half ass effort sometimes. At times it seems like he doesn't want to be there, especially during the winter time. It's going to be weird without calling a breeders cup race but i'm also happy that trevor denman will be calling it.

[jballscalls]

See the great thing about race-calling and handicapping and horse racing in general, is that people have so many differing opinions. Vic Stauffer was one of the reasons i got into race calling. His American Oaks call in 2005 when Cesario won, literally made the hair on the back of my neck stand up. His passion, excitement, and love of the game came through in that call, and made me feel like maybe if someday I give someone that feeling, then i've done my job. Even with the occasional mistake i dont see how anyone couldnt like Tom Durkin, but there are probably people that hate him as a race caller. I know that throughout my career people will like and dislike my calls, and thats fine. I think as callers we do our best to be accurate and passionate at the same time. Just happens to be one of those jobs where people freely praise/criticize you on message boards! LOL

[The Bid]

Where do you call

[Sightseek]

Originally Posted by jballscalls

See the great thing about race-calling and handicapping and horse racing in general, is that people have so many differing opinions. Vic Stauffer was one of the reasons i got into race calling. His American Oaks call in 2005 when Cesario won, literally made the hair on the back of my neck stand up. His passion, excitement, and love of the game came through in that call, and made me feel like maybe if someday I give someone that feeling, then i've done my job. Even with the occasional mistake i dont see how anyone couldnt like Tom Durkin, but there are probably people that hate him as a race caller. I know that throughout my career people will like and dislike my calls, and thats fine. I think as callers we do our best to be accurate and passionate at the same time. Just happens to be one of those jobs where people freely praise/criticize you on message boards! LOL

I've actually seen people criticize Durkin for being over-enthusiastic! To me, a great call whether it is claimers or the classic should be full of energy!

Good luck in your career!

[jballscalls]

Originally Posted by The Bid

Where do you call

Just completed my first meet at River Downs.

[Cajungator26]

Originally Posted by jballscalls

See the great thing about race-calling and handicapping and horse racing in general, is that people have so many differing opinions. Vic Stauffer was one of the reasons i got into race calling. His American Oaks call in 2005 when Cesario won, literally made the hair on the back of my neck stand up. His passion, excitement, and love of the game came through in that call, and made me feel like maybe if someday I give someone that feeling, then i've done my job. Even with the occasional mistake i dont see how anyone couldnt like Tom Durkin, but there are probably people that hate him as a race caller. I know that throughout my career people will like and dislike my calls, and thats fine. I think as callers we do our best to be accurate and passionate at the same time. Just happens to be one of those jobs where people freely praise/criticize you on message boards! LOL

Good luck in your career.

[DiscreetCat=Monster]

He never has and never will have anything on Trevor Denmon! He can spot the horse that is gonna win at the 1/4 pole if the horse is last. Plus I was listening on the internet yesterday (When Desormeaux got DQ'd) and when they came to the finish he never even said who won, he said "And Its a headbob" common give me somthing Denmon always can tell who won even when its a headbob, he is old and over the hill they need some fresh meat up in the booth!!

[Gander]

Durkin has never been one to go out on a limb and call many close photos. Denman does it quite frequently. To not be able to call the horse Desormeaux won on yesterday in the 6th is amateurish. Even my 12 year old nepthew correctly called it.

Hes still a great announcer but you can tell his time is coming. Maybe they'll bring back John Imbriale..."And theyre off".

[bigjag0716]

Originally Posted by jballscalls

Just completed my first meet at River Downs.

I agree Vic Stauffer is awesome, seems like a great guy also. I like when the race is really close and he just let's out a huge yell at the end, I love Hollywood Park Friday Night racing and kicking back and hearing his race calls. By the way Ballscalls are you the one that begins the race saying "and the rrrrrace is on"? Not sure but i've heard some good things about an up and coming race caller at River Downs.

[jballscalls]

Originally Posted by bigjag0716

I agree Vic Stauffer is awesome, seems like a great guy also. I like when the race is really close and he just let's out a huge yell at the end, I love Hollywood Park Friday Night racing and kicking back and hearing his race calls. By the way Ballscalls are you the one that begins the race saying "and the rrrrrace is on"? Not sure but i've heard some good things about an up and coming race caller at River Downs.

That would be I!

[bigjag0716]

That's awesome man, keep up the good work. Yeah i've heard them mention you on TVG a few times about you being an up and coming track announcer, everytime I hear something like that I don't forget.