Durkin steps down as Triple Crown voice; Collmus takes over

TouchOfGrey · #1 04-26-2011, 08:37 PM

NYRA Spotlight -Track Announcer Tom Durkin

Went to watch my DVR'd Thoroughbred Weekly on MSG+ and they were showing this instead. Pretty cool.

Sightseek · #2 04-26-2011, 08:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TouchOfGrey

NYRA Spotlight -Track Announcer Tom Durkin

Went to watch my DVR'd Thoroughbred Weekly on MSG+ and they were showing this instead. Pretty cool.

I went to the Hall of Fame induction when he was the guest speaker and it was so funny and inspirational you just couldn't wait for that afternoon's races. A lot of passion is put into each and every race he calls and I can understand why he is so stressed.

DaTruth · #3 04-26-2011, 09:47 PM

Mike Battaglia.

'Nearing the wire, Uncle Mo is in front. On the outside, Dialed In is closing. Mucho Macho Man to the inside. At the wire, Dialed In wins by six."

NTamm1215 · #4 04-26-2011, 09:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DaTruth

Mike Battaglia.

'Nearing the wire, Uncle Mo is in front. On the outside, Dialed In is closing. Mucho Macho Man to the inside. At the wire, Dialed In wins by six."

You forgot:

"GGGGGAAAAIIIIINNNNIIIINNNG GGGGRRROOOOUNNNDDD!!!!"

philcski · #5 04-26-2011, 10:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DaTruth

Mike Battaglia.

'Nearing the wire, Uncle Mo is in front. On the outside, Dialed In is closing. Mucho Macho Man to the inside. At the wire, Dialed In wins by six."

He called the Derby in like '95 or '96. Awful

VOL JACK · #6 04-26-2011, 10:41 PM

I vote for Terry Wallace.

DaTruth · #7 04-26-2011, 11:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by philcski

He called the Derby in like '95 or '96. Awful

1986 was just as bad. I don't think Ferdinand got a call until the 1/8th pole.

DaTruth · #8 04-26-2011, 11:34 PM

I've noticed that for some runnings of major Euro races, such as the Arc, the British media have used a racecaller and a commentator during the broadcast of the race. The caller goes through the field for the first half mile or so, the commentator chimes in for a furlong or two, then the caller takes over again.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ctctz...eature=related

Something like that may be appealing to a TV audience. The replacement for Durkin can take the field through the first turn. Byk can provide some perspective as the field runs down the backstretch about the pace and where particular horses are placed. The announcer can take over again as the field hits the far turn.

PatCummings · #9 04-27-2011, 12:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DaTruth

I've noticed that for some runnings of major Euro races, such as the Arc, the British media have used a racecaller and a commentator during the broadcast of the race. The caller goes through the field for the first half mile or so, the commentator chimes in for a furlong or two, then the caller takes over again.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ctctz...eature=related

Something like that may be appealing to a TV audience. The replacement for Durkin can take the field through the first turn. Byk can provide some perspective as the field runs down the backstretch about the pace and where particular horses are placed. The announcer can take over again as the field hits the far turn.

I think it's a unique case as Longchamp is quite difficult from a calling angle, probably a good half of each race is called from a television save the sprinting distances on the backside course. Not sure how much Euro racing you catch now, but the tactic of more than one person calling a race is, to my knowledge, used only amongst French racecallers. In the UK for the Grand National where it is practically impossible for one caller to cover all the action.

In the US, with oval courses, there's really no need for it, and you can almost be assured not all 20 horses would get a call if you were tossing it to someone else. No chance of this happening here.