What are The Best Race Calls of All Time?

[Indian Charlie]

Originally Posted by pweizer

I am not a huge Denman fan but the 2009 Breeders Cup Classic was an awesome call.

Paul

I was a huge Denman fan.

That call was among his worst ever.

[largo1]

Easy one for me. 2001 Breeders Cup Classic call by Tom Durkin.

"Tiznow fights on.....desperately close....Tiznow wins it for America"

It was an awesome race and a very masterful call,, especially considering everything that had just happened.

While I think Tom Durkin has made the greatest race calls from # 2 to #32. # 1 Has to go to Chic Anderson and his call of Secretariat's Belmont. We racecallers go over in our minds many different scenarios so usually very little catches us off guard. I doubt if Chic had prepared for a 31 length win. A 2:24 mile and a half. Sham finally giving up and the racing world being stood on it's head. Even with all his experience he'd never faced anything remotely close to what Big Red did. He described it all with wonderful verbage, accuracy and sense of the moment. His call is part of the legend of that feat. IMO the greatest racecall ever made.

[westcoastinvader]

Originally Posted by v j stauffer

While I think Tom Durkin has made the greatest race calls from # 2 to #32. # 1 Has to go to Chic Anderson and his call of Secretariat's Belmont. We racecallers go over in our minds many different scenarios so usually very little catches us off guard. I doubt if Chic had prepared for a 31 length win. A 2:24 mile and a half. Sham finally giving up and the racing world being stood on it's head. Even with all his experience he'd never faced anything remotely close to what Big Red did. He described it all with wonderful verbage, accuracy and sense of the moment. His call is part of the legend of that feat. IMO the greatest racecall ever made.

Oh yeah, there is many a late night I pull Chic Anderson's call of Secretariat's Belmont up on YouTube.

"He is moving like a tremendous machine!"


And of course, there is always the 19th win of Peppers Pride...



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

[Soaring Softly]

It may not be a race as important as the Triple Crown or Breeders Cup Classic, but honorable mention at least HAS to go to Durkin's call of the 2002 Test Stakes between You and Carson Hollow.

That was a hell of a race, and Tom really did it justice!

[FATPIANO]

The 1980 Woodward, The Walkover

[10 pnt move up]

Trever Denman's best call is the 93 beverly hills with Flawlessly and Jolypha.

I also liked the 93 hollywood gold cup with betrando and best pal. Look at that field!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PclPR4_hIPw

Originally Posted by Soaring Softly

It may not be a race as important as the Triple Crown or Breeders Cup Classic, but honorable mention at least HAS to go to Durkin's call of the 2002 Test Stakes between You and Carson Hollow.

That was a hell of a race, and Tom really did it justice!

Sharp post.

[Danzig]

i note that trevor denman hasn't got a vote yet. so, i see i'm not alone on that particular score. his growl of 'and away they go' imo is akin to fingernails on a chalkboard.

two worst are mike battaglia and terry wallace. worst on a big day-dave johnson calling the derby. you could have a huge move being made, and he'll forsake talking about it because he just HAS TO get in that 'and down the stretch they come'. he had his hands full one derby in particular with a lot of horses needing discussed at the top of the lane, but cut himself off to get that trademark phrase in. god forbid it get left out, cause it's waaaay more exciting than the race itself.

[DaTruth]

Originally Posted by Danzig

worst on a big day-dave johnson calling the derby. you could have a huge move being made, and he'll forsake talking about it because he just HAS TO get in that 'and down the stretch they come'. he had his hands full one derby in particular with a lot of horses needing discussed at the top of the lane, but cut himself off to get that trademark phrase in. god forbid it get left out, cause it's waaaay more exciting than the race itself.

When Easy Goer goes past Houston late on the far turn of the 1989 Preakness, Johnson actually calls Easy Goer "Dansil."

[Travis Stone]

As a race caller, I listen to calls differently, thinking from a mechanics perspective and how the dynamics of a race are unfolding relating directly to the call.

In that regard, I thought the 2001 Breeders' Cup Classic with Tiznow was the nuts. Every move was nailed, the excitement of the stretch drive, Tiznow fighting back, announcing the finish with an appropriate description, "Tiznow wins it for America!"

The 1989 Breeders' Cup Classic also gets a mention, and as Vic said, Secretariat's Belmont too.

Taking the 'race caller hat' off, from a capturing the moment perspective, I thought Birdstone and Smarty Jones' Belmont Stakes was well done. Let's face it, even though you might have bet Birdstone, part of you wants to see Smarty Jones win, and he almost did, after running so hard. There was no catchy phrase, goofy line, funny script... "Birdstone wins the Belmont Stakes" was appropriately stated and sounded. It recognized Birdstone, while also capturing the emotion of a stunned nation.

[clyde]

Oh my God.

[my miss storm cat]

Originally Posted by Danzig

i note that trevor denman hasn't got a vote yet. so, i see i'm not alone on that particular score. his growl of 'and away they go' imo is akin to fingernails on a chalkboard.

I love Trevor but had to vote "other".

[Kingturf]

1991 Mother Goose

Meadow Star vs. Lite Lite

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=efSTvXN98A0

[westcoastinvader]

It recognized Birdstone, while also capturing the emotion of a stunned nation.



That's the first time I've read about a horse race and then recollected the John F. Kennedy assassination in Dallas, and the space shuttle Challenger explosion.


I think I'd toss Birdstone versus Smarty Jones in my stunned nation exotics of American History.


But, I do get the sentiment and accept the meaning. I saw the stunned look real time from others.

I didn't bet that race.

[jballscalls]

I'm a big believer that great races and great horses make for great race calls. if you guys look at all the calls listed so far, you dont see many on the list that arent premier horses or premier races. that being said, it takes greatness in racecalling to add something to a spectacular performance.

that being said, my top 5 favorite calls
1. Cesario 2004 American Oaks--VJS
2. Smary Jones/Birdstone--Tom Durkin
3. pyrite personal--matt hook cracking himself up in the stretch
4. some 35 to 1 shot at Arlington---"holy sh...." john dooley
5. Captain Condo--Gary Henson
6. far to many others to name

[westcoastinvader]

Originally Posted by jballscalls

I'm a big believer that great races and great horses make for great race calls. if you guys look at all the calls listed so far, you dont see many on the list that arent premier horses or premier races. that being said, it takes greatness in racecalling to add something to a spectacular performance.

that being said, my top 5 favorite calls
1. Cesario 2004 American Oaks--VJS
2. Smary Jones/Birdstone--Tom Durkin
3. pyrite personal--matt hook cracking himself up in the stretch
4. some 35 to 1 shot at Arlington---"holy sh...." john dooley
5. Captain Condo--Gary Henson
6. far to many others to name

Speaking of Arlington, I loved the call of John Henry'a win in The Arlington Million.

1984


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pzPAMVZ5m-w

[richard burch]

rags to riches over curlin.

it's going to be.....a philly in the belmont.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=URl70KylKZg

[AlreadyHome]

Greetings, i just join yesterday. this look like a great community i'm glad i'm here
i've been doing alot of reading here an i like what i see/read.
I always like Horses. the sport of kings is very exciting

i'll try to learn as much as i can while here, i see alot of very informative post.

About the best call, wow this one is the best of the best 2002 test stakes

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

[OldDog]

BloodHorse just put up this video of Tom Durkin reliving some of his calls of the failed Triple Crown bids in the Belmont. While not favorite calls, they were special calls of special races, and I enjoy Mr. Durkin's comments in hindsight.

http://www.bloodhorse.com/horse-raci...A-A519F2F4A034