Classic Race call from Durkin

[ELA]

Originally Posted by 2Hot4TV

Time for new blood Durkin doesnt get through the whole field anymore. He calls three front running horses and then starts singing. He really was never that good.

Comments like this are very transparent and lack substance. On one hand, the comments don't really speak to specific cases or calls, but more to the overall quality of the announcer. The closing statement proves that. On the other hand, comes the effort where one has to grasp at a clearly isolated incident, which virtually everyone would "get" as a joke, done in jest, etc. This is the poor effort at justifying Durkin "really was never that good". It's like the "let me wait for a foolish example in order to validate some slanted opinion"

You want to tell me you don't like his diction, tone, style, specific aspects of his skill set, or something like that -- I'll buy it in a heartbeat. That opinion has substance, and justification. Maybe his style changes over time or his flair has evolved. But to make a blanket statement like "He was never really that good" has no credibility as far as I am concerned. Even those who don't like his style, or other aspects, will set aside their "personal" bias and state that he is one of the best the game has ever seen.

Eric

[Storm Cadet]

They should put him and a few select others in the Racing Hall of Fame...who else would you guys put in with TD?

[2Hot4TV]

Originally Posted by ELA

Comments like this are very transparent and lack substance. On one hand, the comments don't really speak to specific cases or calls, but more to the overal quality of the announcer. The closing statement proves that. On the other hand, comes the effort where one has to grasp at a clearly isolated incident, which virtually everyone would "get" as a joke, done in jest, etc. This is the poor effort at justifying Durkin "really was never that good". It's like the "let me wait for a foolish example in order to validate some slanted opinion"

You want to tell me you don't like his diction, tone, style, specific aspects of his skill set, or something like that -- I'll buy it in a heartbeat. That opinion has substance, and justification. Maybe his style changes over time or his flair has evolved. But to make a blanket statement like "He was never really that good" has no credibility as far as I am concerned. Even those who don't like his style, or other aspects, will set aside their "personal" bias and state that he is one of the best the game has ever seen.

Eric

I dont like the majority of calls. He covers the first few (3) runners and is surprised when a closer hits the front. Now I cant call a race anybody would want to hear, but I can listen to one.

[Linny]

I think Tom has lost a step or two. Some days he seems to be gasping for air and often misses moves and mispronounces names. That said, his campy style is fun and I thought his call on Doremi...was fun.

I think that John I was calling the day that filly made her debut.

BTW, I still think that Durkin's call of the strech run between Congomambo and Kyungbokkung was a great one. He never missed a beat with those two ghastly (to a race caller) names!

[pick4]

Originally Posted by Linny

I think Tom has lost a step or two. Some days he seems to be gasping for air and often misses moves and mispronounces names. That said, his campy style is fun and I thought his call on Doremi...was fun.

I think that John I was calling the day that filly made her debut.

BTW, I still think that Durkin's call of the strech run between Congomambo and Kyungbokkung was a great one. He never missed a beat with those two ghastly (to a race caller) names!

Durkin's been calling horses the wrong name at times lately.
In last Saturday's fourth race he called Good Request Good Reward from his first call until the stretch when he must have realized he was calling a maiden race, looked at his pocket program and saw that the horse who was running was Good Request.

Durkin is one of my top two favorites. In my opinion Vic Stauffer and Tom Durkin are 1-2.

[NTamm1215]

Originally Posted by 2Hot4TV

I dont like the majority of calls. He covers the first few (3) runners and is surprised when a closer hits the front. Now I cant call a race anybody would want to hear, but I can listen to one.

What a ridiculously false generalization.

NT

[ArlJim78]

if you didn't have a good laugh on his Doremi call the other day, you may be wound up a little too tight. the race was over, the winner was clear, and he unexpectedly starts singing the scale, quite well i might add. i burst out laughing.

[ELA]

Originally Posted by 2Hot4TV

I dont like the majority of calls. He covers the first few (3) runners and is surprised when a closer hits the front. Now I cant call a race anybody would want to hear, but I can listen to one.

Not liking the majority of his calls is another issue. For the reason you said, I think is an inaccurate stereotyping. That's fine. I don't think calling the first 3 and then experiencing a moment of surprise is accurate at all as far as a label goes. If you look for is, you'll find it.

On a related note -- and this I know for a fact -- most people would be shocked at what Durkin actually sees. What he sees and what he calls are very often very different. There is very little that happens during a race that he doesn't see and he sees a tremendous amount that we don't. Sure, there is a % of races where we might see something he doesn't -- but that could be because we are looking for the "one" while he is look at the "whole" so to speak. Durkin is very, very keen and has a tremendous eye for what's going on.

I've often noticed that Durking will finish his "roster" of the race, certainly quicker if something significant is going on. He might even abandon the roster. But I've found the significant takes on additional meaning from Durkin. Like the media, his calls are not for "us" -- we are not the audience. It's the masses, it's the majority, who unlike this group needs, wants, etc. a different type of call (or at least they should have one).

Eric

[SOREHOOF]

How can you hate Durkin?

[2Hot4TV]

Originally Posted by SOREHOOF

How can you hate Durkin?

It's not hate, I just like others. Durkin is like going to the circus or listening to mexican music. Now I know you wont like that. I just dont like his lazy style.