What are The Best Race Calls of All Time?

While I think Tom Durkin has made the greatest race calls from # 2 to #32. # 1 Has to go to Chic Anderson and his call of Secretariat's Belmont. We racecallers go over in our minds many different scenarios so usually very little catches us off guard. I doubt if Chic had prepared for a 31 length win. A 2:24 mile and a half. Sham finally giving up and the racing world being stood on it's head. Even with all his experience he'd never faced anything remotely close to what Big Red did. He described it all with wonderful verbage, accuracy and sense of the moment. His call is part of the legend of that feat. IMO the greatest racecall ever made.

[westcoastinvader]

Originally Posted by v j stauffer

While I think Tom Durkin has made the greatest race calls from # 2 to #32. # 1 Has to go to Chic Anderson and his call of Secretariat's Belmont. We racecallers go over in our minds many different scenarios so usually very little catches us off guard. I doubt if Chic had prepared for a 31 length win. A 2:24 mile and a half. Sham finally giving up and the racing world being stood on it's head. Even with all his experience he'd never faced anything remotely close to what Big Red did. He described it all with wonderful verbage, accuracy and sense of the moment. His call is part of the legend of that feat. IMO the greatest racecall ever made.

Oh yeah, there is many a late night I pull Chic Anderson's call of Secretariat's Belmont up on YouTube.

"He is moving like a tremendous machine!"


And of course, there is always the 19th win of Peppers Pride...



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

[Soaring Softly]

It may not be a race as important as the Triple Crown or Breeders Cup Classic, but honorable mention at least HAS to go to Durkin's call of the 2002 Test Stakes between You and Carson Hollow.

That was a hell of a race, and Tom really did it justice!

[FATPIANO]

The 1980 Woodward, The Walkover

Originally Posted by Soaring Softly

It may not be a race as important as the Triple Crown or Breeders Cup Classic, but honorable mention at least HAS to go to Durkin's call of the 2002 Test Stakes between You and Carson Hollow.

That was a hell of a race, and Tom really did it justice!

Sharp post.

[10 pnt move up]

Trever Denman's best call is the 93 beverly hills with Flawlessly and Jolypha.

I also liked the 93 hollywood gold cup with betrando and best pal. Look at that field!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PclPR4_hIPw

[blackthroatedwind]

I thought Tom's call of last year's Woodward was tremendous. His line as they were readying to turn for home " a dramatic stretch drive awaits " was spectacular.

[Danzig]

i note that trevor denman hasn't got a vote yet. so, i see i'm not alone on that particular score. his growl of 'and away they go' imo is akin to fingernails on a chalkboard.

two worst are mike battaglia and terry wallace. worst on a big day-dave johnson calling the derby. you could have a huge move being made, and he'll forsake talking about it because he just HAS TO get in that 'and down the stretch they come'. he had his hands full one derby in particular with a lot of horses needing discussed at the top of the lane, but cut himself off to get that trademark phrase in. god forbid it get left out, cause it's waaaay more exciting than the race itself.

[DaTruth]

Originally Posted by Danzig

worst on a big day-dave johnson calling the derby. you could have a huge move being made, and he'll forsake talking about it because he just HAS TO get in that 'and down the stretch they come'. he had his hands full one derby in particular with a lot of horses needing discussed at the top of the lane, but cut himself off to get that trademark phrase in. god forbid it get left out, cause it's waaaay more exciting than the race itself.

When Easy Goer goes past Houston late on the far turn of the 1989 Preakness, Johnson actually calls Easy Goer "Dansil."

[Travis Stone]

As a race caller, I listen to calls differently, thinking from a mechanics perspective and how the dynamics of a race are unfolding relating directly to the call.

In that regard, I thought the 2001 Breeders' Cup Classic with Tiznow was the nuts. Every move was nailed, the excitement of the stretch drive, Tiznow fighting back, announcing the finish with an appropriate description, "Tiznow wins it for America!"

The 1989 Breeders' Cup Classic also gets a mention, and as Vic said, Secretariat's Belmont too.

Taking the 'race caller hat' off, from a capturing the moment perspective, I thought Birdstone and Smarty Jones' Belmont Stakes was well done. Let's face it, even though you might have bet Birdstone, part of you wants to see Smarty Jones win, and he almost did, after running so hard. There was no catchy phrase, goofy line, funny script... "Birdstone wins the Belmont Stakes" was appropriately stated and sounded. It recognized Birdstone, while also capturing the emotion of a stunned nation.

[clyde]

Oh my God.

[my miss storm cat]

Originally Posted by Danzig

i note that trevor denman hasn't got a vote yet. so, i see i'm not alone on that particular score. his growl of 'and away they go' imo is akin to fingernails on a chalkboard.

I love Trevor but had to vote "other".

[Rileyoriley]

Originally Posted by clyde

Oh my God.

I don't remember Him calling a race.

[my miss storm cat]

Originally Posted by Rileyoriley

I don't remember Him calling a race.

[Indian Charlie]

How Bill Gahr (Garr?) didn't make this list is beyond me.

[smartbid09]

Originally Posted by Indian Charlie

I was a huge Denman fan.

That call [2009 Breeders Cup Classic] was among his worst ever.

Really? I'm suprised you say that Charlie. What makes that call among his "worst ever" in your opinion?

[smartbid09]

Originally Posted by alysheba4

......was at the wire mid level, remember all those "go smarty go " ping pong paddle things they gave out, went flying.......i laughed and said to myself, i love new york. great day.

Alysheba, I'm confused... are you saying you thought Smarty Jones loseing the Belmont was a "great day"?

[blackthroatedwind]

It was a great day.

[Linny]

It was certainly the most exciting day I've spent at Belmont.

About 8-9 years ago Tom Durkin called a neck and neck stretch duel between Congomambo and Kyungbokkung. He nhever stuttered over either name. Average race, great call.

I love Vic's "earthquake" race and of course, "..moving like a tremendous machine" is part of racing history.

[smartbid09]

Originally Posted by blackthroatedwind

It was a great day.

So it was a great day to see a horse lose the triple crown.... why?