Ranking Tom Durkin

[freddymo]

All of the great calls require get races. Save the earthquakes and other extraordinary events. You can't believe in Miracles, unless a miracle is happening. Trying to make a great call without a great race is like trying to make a world class meal with crappy ingredients..No matter how well you cook the food will only be so good.

I believe in the entertainment value of race callers very much always have suggested that callers can greatly enhance the racing experience. I just wish I heard more informative information with a 1/8th to go then the obvious "Sprouting Wings" etc stuff.

PS Nothing against Denman I have found many of his calls tremendous

[MaTH716]

Originally Posted by v j stauffer

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.


VJS

Vic, don't sell yourself too short. The enthusiasim and energy that you and Tom Durkin bring to your calls are incomparable. I have just recently in the past couple of years been able to enjoy your work on a more daily basis and will be ready for you tonight at 10 on the east coast. I am a little impartial to Mr. Durkin, but that only because I grew up in New York.

[Travis Stone]

Originally Posted by v j stauffer

We all have our Durkin favorites.

I'll add the '05 Belmont Stakes to the list. It was such a great depiction of the mood of the moment, the happenings on the track and the overall feeling.

"Birdstone wins the Belmont Stake!"

Such simple words, yet very powerful. His voice was excited yet dissapointed, yet not too much of either one.

Personally, my wanting to call races spawned purely from my passion for the game. If you know me personally, I live and breathe it. Heck my dog is named after a race horse. I also enjoy entertaining and merging the two together ended-up being the ideal recipe.

Hopefully someday I'll get to call the big races and folks can critique me here too!

[ArlJim78]

Originally Posted by Travis Stone

"Birdstone wins the Belmont Stake!"

Such simple words, yet very powerful. His voice was excited yet dissapointed, yet not too much of either one.

thats the thing with Durkin, those little intangibles that add so much. the way he uttered that sentence above spoke volumes. kinda like a lump in the throat when he said "Birdstone" conveying two emotions at once.

[XIIPointStables]

How about the 2007 Preakness...

STREET SENSE WITH THE LEAD
CURLIN GIVE IT HIS ALL
COMING UP TO THE FINISH STREET SENSE THE LEAD
HERE COMES CURLIN
CURLIN SURGING
STREET SENSE IN DEEP WATER...(great line by the way)

TOO CLOSE TO CALL; TOO CLOSE TO CALL!!!

WHO WON THE RACE?

Just a great call. I love Durkin.

[MISTERGEE]

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

thanks for that still gives ya gosse bumps
anyone know where letterman is calling races?
i'll never forget his call of "theyre bungee jumping off the grandstand roof" during one tight stretch drive

[ninetoone]

Originally Posted by Travis Stone
"Birdstone wins the Belmont Stakes!"


I love Durkin also, but it was pretty funny when he mistakenly called Birdstone as winning the Belmont Stakes again at the finish of the Travers...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dg-TQS12M3c

[DogsUp]

Track Announcers are a waste and a bore. I liked when Keeneland went without an announcer. I think track announcers ruin the race.

[mclem10011]

Originally Posted by DogsUp

Track Announcers are a waste and a bore. I liked when Keeneland went without an announcer. I think track announcers ruin the race.

Hope your kidding? If not that is a ridiculous comment! Your entitled to you opinion, but I do not agree at all.

[parsixfarms]

Originally Posted by mclem10011

Hope your kidding? If not that is a ridiculous comment! Your entitled to you opinion, but I do not agree at all.

If I had to listen to Mike Battaglia (voice like nails on a chalkboard) and Luke Kruytbosch (little anticipation) most of the year, I might come to the same conclusion.

Since I don't, I agree that a good race call adds a lot of value to a race.

[Dunbar]

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

Very nice post!

--Dunbar

[kgar311]

I like Durkin everywhere except Saratoga. He calls the races like its everyones first time watching a horse race. I think its insulting that he thinks Saratoga is filled with a bunch of amature horse players. He always says "too close to call" constantly when the horse wins by a head. Annoying.

[ArlJim78]

haha, imagine secretariats belmont without "moving like a tremendous machine". it adds to the history to have the race called, and called well i might add. there are some that detract rather than add any value.

[parsixfarms]

Originally Posted by kgar311

I like Durkin everywhere except Saratoga. He calls the races like its everyones first time watching a horse race. I think its insulting that he thinks Saratoga is filled with a bunch of amature horse players. He always says "too close to call" constantly when the horse wins by a head. Annoying.

It isn't? I'm guessing the guys bringing in the coolers aren't buying "the Sheets."

[kgar311]

Originally Posted by parsixfarms

It isn't? I'm guessing the guys bringing in the coolers aren't buying "the Sheets."

Well guess what, the same Professionals that bet Belmont, Churchill etc still hear these call via simulcast and im sure they dont like his elementary calls either. Why cater to the few Saratoga newbies when when the thousands of faithful have to listen to it also.

[ateamstupid]

Originally Posted by kgar311

Well guess what, the same Professionals that bet Belmont, Churchill etc still hear these call via simulcast and im sure they dont like his elementary calls either. Why cater to the few Saratoga newbies when when the thousands of faithful have to listen to it also.

I've never noticed that. Can you give an example?

[parsixfarms]

Originally Posted by ateamstupid

I've never noticed that. Can you give an example?

Agreed.

[ELA]

Personally, I think Tom Durkin is the best of the best in the game. I've seen the negative comments/posts before about mistakes, slip-ups, etc. -- and my reaction is so what. Do what you do day in and day out, a few hundred thousand times, in the heat of the moment, anyone is bound to make a mistake -- period. Those mistakes don't take away from the overall stature and quality of the man and his performance as a professional.

Now, as far as style, some may not like his style, diction, whatever. That's fine, I understand and accept that. However, that too doesn't take away from the quality aspect. I like chocolate, someone else likes vanilla, and another likes strawberry, and so on. That's what makes the world go 'round -- likes and dislikes.

I've also heard people say that he "misses" things -- moves, nuances, etc. and that he calls things perhaps late, too late, etc. To that, I'll respond with the following: I've heard Tom Durkin speak in public settings and forums regarding racing, calls, horses, etc. More importantly, I've had the honor and privilige to sit and talk with Tom Durkin on many occsaions. Don't ever confuse "what he sees" with "what he calls" -- this guy is extremely sharp. There is very little that he truly misses. He sees things that most of us could only hope and dream about seeing. The fact that it may not be represented in his call, or it's called late -- that is not reflective of whether or not he saw it or when he saw it.

Like I said -- the best of the best.

Eric

[mclem10011]

Originally Posted by parsixfarms

If I had to listen to Mike Battaglia (voice like nails on a chalkboard) and Luke Kruytbosch (little anticipation) most of the year, I might come to the same conclusion.

Since I don't, I agree that a good race call adds a lot of value to a race.

Luke is alright. Mike Battaglia is brutal, and just about as boring as you can get in my opinion.

[stareagle]

Durkin is so good that when he does make a mistake, it is really surprising. On Wednesday, I thought I had missed a horse when I was going over Belmont's second, because I didn't recognize the name of the early leader. It wasn't until the replay that I realized he had reversed Onion Queen's name - he called her "Queen Onion" at least twice.