Classic Race call from Durkin
 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5a3sdADaf5U

He gets really excited with 3/16th to go as he realizes he might be really able to pull this off! CLASSIC:tro:

Thanks . . LOL

I cracked a rib when I heard this for the first time.

but is it better than Vic's earthqauke race call?

That was hilarious. The link led me to this one, which I'd never heard:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hwhcS1VPccA&NR=1

He was right on tune. Very nice.

Got a laugh out of me that's for sure.

WOW Ron , thats a classic :tro:

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.

Show me a better singer calling the races ?

Are you kidding me? He was obviously having fun with this particular call but he never stops with just calling the first three horses.

Of the two announcers who called the Ky Derby this year, Durkin was at least able to get through the whole field there. The guy has been the best announcer in the country for years and if you come up with two memorable calls from a different announcer I can match it with five from Durkin.

NT

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

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

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.

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!

What a ridiculously false generalization.

NT

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.

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

How can you hate Durkin?