Ranking Tom Durkin

[RollerDoc]

I wanted to ask how you would rate Tom Durkin as a track announcer. Personally I find his call of the race quite appealing. He doesn't seem to grandstand and I love the way he summarizes what appears to be the eventual winner. Here are a few of my favorites:

2005 Belmont
"And Afleet Alex just ran past Giacomo like he was standing still."

2006 Kentucky Derby
"They're coming to the finish and it's all Barbaro in a sublime performance. He runs away from them all and saves something left for the Preakness."

2007 Kentucky Derby
"And Street Sense has roared from 19th position to first in the Derby. And here is Street Sense, a stretch running sensation to win the Kentucky Derby by 2."

2008 Kentucky Derby
"And it's going to be Big Brown bobbing home to a convincing win in the run for the roses. It is Big Brown by five on the wire."

2008 Preakness
"Big Brown is doing it again. He disappears from the field. He's in front by five. He waltzes home to win the Preakness. No ones ever been close to Big Brown. And now it's on to the Belmont and the elusive triple crown."

And by the way, the butterflies for me watching my horse of choice officially start when I hear Ton Durkin say, "And they're off....in the Kentucky Derby."