Tom Durkin to retire August 31st

[Chalky]

The 1994 Travers - Holy Bull and Concern

Great race. Great call. Mr. Durkin will be missed and I hate to be the person that tries to fill those shoes.

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

[Travis Stone]

Originally Posted by Chalky

The 1994 Travers - Holy Bull and Concern

Great race. Great call. Mr. Durkin will be missed and I hate to be the person that tries to fill those shoes.

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

The turn for home in this race is very similar to how he handled the turn for home in Rachel's Woodward. He realized - or predicted perfectly - that something dramatic was about to happen and was ready with a line that captured it. It's those types of lines that made his calls so memorable.

I was standing about six feet away from Tom in the booth at CD when Arazi made his move in the BC Juvenile. Frankly any of us would have seen the move Arazi was making. The Red, White and Blue of Allen Paulson's silks literally passing a horse every stride. He caught it perfectly on time and made the proper passionate call. Many of us would have well handled that. It's what he said AFTER the huge move that set him apart.

"Bertrando is a stunned second" What? Are you kidding me? Who the hell thinks to say that? That's what blew me away. Therein lies the genius.

He seamlessly makes calls I wouldn't even think of to try.

"Mike Smith let's the Bull roll but there's cause for Concern"

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

" 28 years in the waiting comes down to a fateful final furlong"

And hundreds more.

When I was evolving as a race caller people would occasionally say I sounded a little like Durkin. Was that my intention? No, Id say. My intention is to sound EXACTLY like him. But I'll never be good enough.

Later I'll post a TD story about the Sunshine Millions at GP that offers insight into the man not just the announcer.

[SundayStar]

it's too bad Tom doesn't get the TV call for the Belmont. he does get the on track call, right? it would be great if he could make a triple crown call in his last year.

[Revidere]

I wished he would have called any of Zenyatta's races including her Breeders Cups (win or lose).


.....cue obligatory laugh track or sustained post about her being overrated.

Originally Posted by SundayStar

it's too bad Tom doesn't get the TV call for the Belmont. he does get the on track call, right? it would be great if he could make a triple crown call in his last year.

Yes. Tom calls on track and for all simulcast outlets. Larry calls for NBC TV. I call for PIZZA.

[freddymo]

Originally Posted by v j stauffer

Yes. Tom calls on track and for all simulcast outlets. Larry calls for NBC TV. I call for PIZZA.

Did you get call from NYRA yet? are you being considered to come east

[Alabama Stakes]

still can't believe they didn't bring Zenyatta to Saratoga. Disgraceful. One would think as good as that hoss was to them, they owed her the priviledge to have run past everyone at the best place on earth. Makes me ill.

Originally Posted by Cardus

Who was Durkin SUPPOSED to call after announcing that Arazi ran past Bertrando, the horse running in 5th???

Of course we was supposed to call Bertrando. He was still running a clear second. It's the way he described the scene that I enjoyed very much.

[TouchOfGrey]

From Jerry Bossert of the NY Daily News:

Final Belmont Stakes for veteran announcer Tom Durkin

Could California Chrome give Durkin his first Triple Crown victory call in his final assignment? We will find out as the 63-year-old will call his last Belmont.

How awesome would that be?

Originally Posted by Cardus

I didn't see it as genius.

Cool. That's what makes the world go round.

[Dunbar]

Originally Posted by Cardus

Who was Durkin SUPPOSED to call after announcing that Arazi ran past Bertrando, the horse running in 5th???

Really? To me, there's a world of difference between "Bertrando is second." and "Bertrando is a stunned second."


--Dunbar