Durkin steps down as Triple Crown voice; Collmus takes over

[ateamstupid]

Originally Posted by NTamm1215

There's something to be said about letting the local guy doing it. I think Dave Rodman is an excellent caller and his Preakness calls have always been very solid. It will be tough to listen to anyone but Durkin call the Belmont.

That being said, if it has to go to someone I hope it's Larry Collmus.

I'm no xenophobe, and Johnson is a very good caller, but I'd prefer an American call America's biggest race. Forgot about Dooley, he would absolutely be a great choice and it's overdue he get to call something more significant than the Arlington Million (like that Scav?).

[miraja2]

There are some good options out there (and some bad ones) but for me personally - no matter the choice - it just won't be the same without Tom Durkin. On racing's biggest days, he's the best. My favorite one of his TC calls was probably the '03 Derby, but there have been a lot of good ones over the years (the '04 and '09 Preakness and the '98, and '07 Belmonts come immediately to mind). I hate to see him step down.

The BC certainly hasn't been the same without him, and even if NBC selects a better replacement for the TC than ESPN did for the BC (let's hope) I imagine I'll still miss Durkin when the gates open.

[TouchOfGrey]

NYRA Spotlight -Track Announcer Tom Durkin

Went to watch my DVR'd Thoroughbred Weekly on MSG+ and they were showing this instead. Pretty cool.

[Sightseek]

Originally Posted by TouchOfGrey

NYRA Spotlight -Track Announcer Tom Durkin

Went to watch my DVR'd Thoroughbred Weekly on MSG+ and they were showing this instead. Pretty cool.

I went to the Hall of Fame induction when he was the guest speaker and it was so funny and inspirational you just couldn't wait for that afternoon's races. A lot of passion is put into each and every race he calls and I can understand why he is so stressed.

[DaTruth]

Mike Battaglia.

'Nearing the wire, Uncle Mo is in front. On the outside, Dialed In is closing. Mucho Macho Man to the inside. At the wire, Dialed In wins by six."

[NTamm1215]

Originally Posted by DaTruth

Mike Battaglia.

'Nearing the wire, Uncle Mo is in front. On the outside, Dialed In is closing. Mucho Macho Man to the inside. At the wire, Dialed In wins by six."

You forgot:

"GGGGGAAAAIIIIINNNNIIIINNNG GGGGRRROOOOUNNNDDD!!!!"

[philcski]

Originally Posted by DaTruth

Mike Battaglia.

'Nearing the wire, Uncle Mo is in front. On the outside, Dialed In is closing. Mucho Macho Man to the inside. At the wire, Dialed In wins by six."

He called the Derby in like '95 or '96. Awful

[VOL JACK]

I vote for Terry Wallace.

[DaTruth]

Originally Posted by philcski

He called the Derby in like '95 or '96. Awful

1986 was just as bad. I don't think Ferdinand got a call until the 1/8th pole.

[DaTruth]

I've noticed that for some runnings of major Euro races, such as the Arc, the British media have used a racecaller and a commentator during the broadcast of the race. The caller goes through the field for the first half mile or so, the commentator chimes in for a furlong or two, then the caller takes over again.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ctctz...eature=related

Something like that may be appealing to a TV audience. The replacement for Durkin can take the field through the first turn. Byk can provide some perspective as the field runs down the backstretch about the pace and where particular horses are placed. The announcer can take over again as the field hits the far turn.

[PatCummings]

Originally Posted by philcski

He called the Derby in like '95 or '96.

Mike called the races at Churchill for at least ten years, maybe 15-20. Kurt Becker was there only two years, I believe.

Originally Posted by PatCummings

Mike called the races at Churchill for at least ten years, maybe 15-20. Kurt Becker was there only two years, I believe.

Mike called 22 Derbys.