Ranking Tom Durkin

[DogsUp]

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.

What I posted has been bothering me all day. It sure does come across bad. I apologize if I offended anyone. I should have said this: a race caller does not add any value to a race for me. I rarely listen to the call when I am at the race track. When I am home, I do not listen to the call at all. The race call may add some excitement, but it doesnt really do anything for my horse. I do think an announcer is important for scratches, inquiries, etc etc. But during the race, I do not notice the call at all.

[Bravado2112]

Durkin has had some absolutely classic calls in some of the great Breeders Cup races and really made them even more special with his calls. He does such a great job of capturing the drama of a rivalry within a race, or of a particularly momentus situation. For a true racing fan, some of his calls in these races just give you goosebumps. For some good strolls down memory lane involving some Durkin classics:

1989 Breeders Cup Classic - Absolutely Perfect. "Sunday Silence bracing for the ONCOMING POWER OF EASY GOER who's right at his neck...and the stage is set with 3 furlongs to run in the Breeders' Cup Classic..."

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cKR3_shx7p4

1987 Breeders' Cup Classic - "Ferdinand has the lead. Alysheba, a final surge...and the 2 Derby winners HIT THE WIRE TOGETHER!"

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


1988 Breeders Cup Distaff: "And the Derby winner is loose on the lead." "Winning Colors is there...Personal Ensign, a dramatic finish..."
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d2vKTJ69z0I

[KirisClown]

Ive always enjoyed this call... shows Durkin does a great job even when it's not a big event...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nqsRc9O9dHg

[letswastemoney]

When I'm at an off track place and they forget to turn on the volume, I get bored easily during the race.

I mean if my horse is winning, the whole damn room better know that horse is winning Of course I assume they all have eyes and can see but still...I want them to hear it.

[Bigsmc]

Originally Posted by KirisClown

Ive always enjoyed this call... shows Durkin does a great job even when it's not a big event...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nqsRc9O9dHg

I miss Harvey Pack doing the replay show....

[KirisClown]

Originally Posted by Bigsmc

I miss Harvey Pack doing the replay show....

So do I.. he could have made a replay of paint drying interesting...