Tom Durkin to retire August 31st

[pointman]

Durkin is all class. He is the only announcer IMO whose calls sound natural as opposed to canned or forced. The best that there is, he is an irreplaceable legend who will be sorely missed.

[miraja2]

'87 BCC call (Ferdinand & Alysheba) is my favorite of his.
'03 Kentucky Derby ("gutsy gelding") is a great one too.

[Danzig]

Hate to see hes leaving, feel bad for whoever tries to fill his shoes. He will be missed, does a great job.

1994 Travers

[GoIrish]

Originally Posted by helicopter11

1994 Travers

I second this.

[NTamm1215]

Originally Posted by Danzig

Hate to see hes leaving, feel bad for whoever tries to fill his shoes. He will be missed, does a great job.

Good point. It will be important for everyone to stay cognizant of the fact that the next announcer will be a successor, not a replacement. No one could ever "replace" Tom Durkin.

Originally Posted by NTamm1215

Good point. It will be important for everyone to stay cognizant of the fact that the next announcer will be a successor, not a replacement. No one could ever "replace" Tom Durkin.

I followed Tom when he left Gulfstream after the 1999 season. Felt like every eye and ear was on me 24/7. Huge responsibility.

[Cannon Shell]

Originally Posted by miraja2

'87 BCC call (Ferdinand & Alysheba) is my favorite of his.
'03 Kentucky Derby ("gutsy gelding") is a great one too.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rk8G8AR7TaM

[Cannon Shell]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lSpBui9UIkM

[Benny]

Originally Posted by pointman

Durkin is all class. He is the only announcer IMO whose calls sound natural as opposed to canned or forced. The best that there is, he is an irreplaceable legend who will be sorely missed.

Totally agree with you here. Tom Durkin made racing come alive with his story telling of each race as it unfolded. His knowing eye and vocaculary told a story for each race he calls. He never sinks to the commonplace, as more race callers are wont to do now adays, naming each horse entering the gate,nor rely on trite, well worn phrases which are repeated time and again. He is always fresh and unique in his calling with feeling and excitement,z in telling the story of the race he is calling with his excellent vocabulary and well turned phrase. I will really miss hm, much like I miss Harvey Pack. They both are icons of NY racing, simply irreplaceable.