Well I remember the first Saturday in May Tom Durkin missed something really important, Mine That Bird flying up the inside rail to win the Kentucky Derby.  I personally like Vic Stauffer (not sure if I'm spelling his name correctly), he adds a lot of color to his race calls.

I was at Belmont when DOREMEFASOLATIDO ran and won and Tom Durkin was calling the race and when the horse was coming down the stretch all alone boy did Tom Durkin hit that high note....it was awesome...I love listening to him when he calls his races there is no one out there that can call a race better than him

Durkin is the best in the country..Knows the horses, jockeys..history

You have got to be kidding. Tom "Too Close to Call" Durkin is terrible. His favorite saying is "Too Close to Call" when he tries to call a photo finish. His lack of calling these photos is a huge weakness of his. Trevor Denman calls photos with such frequency that you can take his word and not even look at the replay.

    In addition, Tom usually can't find a horse rallying from the back of the pack until he has already reached the leaders. As for his "ability" to find horses that miss the start or blow the turn, big deal, that is done routinely by even small track guys.

   And his fancy calls of rolling RRRR's for Ramon D or Allen I WIN Ski are annoying.

   He does have the ability to enhance the drama during the race with his pitched tones, but then when things don't go to the script and Birdstone wins the Belmont he falls apart.

   Durkin is overrated and only talked about because he is in New York.

Taxman,

There is a reason why Tom Durkin has been asked for decades to call virtually every major race on TV.  (He doesn't call the Breeder's Cup anymore only because of contractual obligations to NBC.)The vast majority of people think he is great.  You are in a remarkable minority to think otherwise.

And don't talk about him missing Mine That Bird in this year's Derby. Yes, he blew it, but that doesn't make your case.  That's like saying Albert Pujols can't hit because you saw him strike out once.

I love Stauffer, and Denman to a lesser degree. This has nothing to do with being New York. The concensus is, and there is no way to dispute this, the best in the business.

Trevor Denman is the best track announcer. Durkin isn't even 2nd best. Close your eyes and listen to Denman paint the picture of the race. There's accuracy, anticipation and drama. Durkin can't even call all of the horses in a a mile and quarter race.Definitley an eastern bias.

In yeserday's first race, Durkin called 2nd place finisher More than a Reason "More than Ready!".

It was a flashback to 7 years ago when he won the Kings Bishop. Ha ha ha haha.  

I like Tom Durkin, but Dave Rodman is my favorite. I love listening to his Preakness calls!

I like Durkin. He is insightful and usually on with his calls. Did he miss the Mine That Bird call in the Derby? Yes. I would say my top nine for current race callers is:

Tom Durkin

Vic Stauffer   (Hollywood Park)

Kurt Becker    (Keeneland)

Trevor Denman

John Dooley    (Arlington)

Richard Chambelin   (Sam Houston)

Richard Grunder   (Tampa)

John Bogar     (Penn National)

The late, great Luc Krybauch former caller at Churchill Downs.

Each of these race callers have their own distinctive style (from the start of the race until the finish; they are accurate and they add to the enjoyment of watching the race

Get up on the wrong side of the bed? I'd be grumpy too if I were a Taxman.

Agree Vic, I love Tom. No one beat themselves up more than he did for that miss on Mine That Bird. In a race that big I think one probably focuses on those NOT 50-1 and he was a shocker.

My favorite of all time is Harry Henson.  Truthfully I did notice Tom not calling and the other guy is fine, but Tom tries to remember he has an audience NOT just a bunch of us degenerate gamblers and handicappers and tries to make it interesting for the masses. They love it here at the Spa.

Argggggggh!

As a long time California racing supporter, I agree that Denman at one time was great - but now, watch how many times he calls the outside closers when it is obvious they aren't going to get there. It could be a product of the lousy California horse flesh, however. At this point though, you can't compare Durkin and Denman - Durkin is much better entertainment - just like Saratoga racing is far superior to Del Mar. Sad, but true.  

Seriously, Vic Stauffer? Are you his mom or something?

Tom Durkin is fun to listen to.  I liked the story he told in an interview that before the Belmont Stakes now he goes out to the track and measures back 31 lengths from the finish line and marks the fence, just in case somebody finishes way out in front of the field he'll know how far they are away from Secretariat's mark.

Yes, he makes mistakes (don't we all?), but he loves his work and it shows.  Clem McCarthy miscalled the 1947 Preakness and Chic Anderson made a mistake in the Derby (1975, I think).  I do like that he doesn't just do a dry recitation of "this horse is in first, this horse is in second".  Too many people in racing act like they're just going through the motions, but he's having fun and likes to share it.

Wow...I can't believe anyone would slam Durkin.  He is by far, in my opinion, the best at what he does.  Nobody is perfect.  He adds spice and flare to his job.  

Trevor Denman is soooo monotone.  Most often, the races from CA are enjoyed more when the mute button is pressed.  

And, not that anyone mentioned Finger Lakes, but the guy that does the announcing out there is extremely annoying.  

Tom is definitely the best announcer.  

And just for the record, I always notice when Tom is missing and was curious as to why Imbriale was calling the races for a few days.  Now I know.

Both are very good. Denman has a rough time with larger fields and he also blew one of the great up the rail rides when he never saw street sense in the bc juvenile and instead was focused on the outside horse. But as I said, they are both very good.

I agree with the Taxman his calls for the most part are terrible.

Durkin stumbles over horse's names or calls the wrong horse, then suddenly seems surprised that another horse is in front. I'm not referring only to the Derby either.  Often, in an average type of a race, he sounds like he can't wait to get home.  He does still come alive for Stakes races but is that enough?

Overrrrrrrrrated and like the 'old gray mare.......'

I totally agree with you, Taxman!

I miss Luke at Churchill. At least we did get a good replacement with Johnson. He really adds some flare to his calls and I love it. Durkin is good, but I don't think the best by any means. Sometimes borderline annoyance.

Its hard to believe anyone could think Tom Durkin isn't the best at what he does. The only other caller I liked as much as him was Luke Kruytbosch - his Kentucky Derbies will stay with me for many years. But Durkin is just so consistent with his calls, and he adds a nice flair to them. I remember the call for Doremifasolatido's win and it was just hilarious. He's able to convey the crowd's emotions through his calls, i.e. the 2004 Belmont. Tom is just the best at what he does and will be remembered for it for years after he's gone.

Did anyone notice last week when Trevor called "My Secret Weapon" by the wrong name of "My Secret Woman"?  :)  Hopefully his wife didn't pick up on that Freudian slip!

I think John Dooley (Arlington) is the best race caller. No matter what kind of race it is, whether it be a bottom level claiming race or the Arlington Million, he is so excited and expressive in every single stretch call to the finish; and, you can hear it in the fans reaction to his call.  Even when I avert my attention from the tv, I can always tell his races and it will draw my attention back to the TV and I become transfixed to watch the finish. Most of the time, I don't even know the race, yet he calls it as if it is a championship race. He should call the BC or any one of the classics.

Durkin is good, but there are others like Keith Jones and Dave Rodman who are also good, but receive very little notice. Denman is good and Wrona is OK.  It all depends whose style you care for.  They all make mistakes.  Freddy Cap was the best I ever heard.  His distinctive clipped NY nasal accent still resonates.

Thanks Bill Daly for mentioning my favorite Freddy Capaselli(?). His,"It is now post time!" is a favorite childhood memory of mine. Right now Vic in Ca. is my favorite and I do like Trevor and the fellow who calls Monmouth too. Durkin is making too many mistakes and is getting too theatrical for me. But that said, it's not an easy job and I am sure I couldn't do it better than any of them.

Currently, Tom Durkin is good but not the best; he may have been the best at one time.  Trevor Denmen is the best at painting the picture as he describes the pace, how a horse is moving;and if the horse is comfortable.  Nobody does it better,  a close second for me is Vic Stauffer, his calls for ZENYATTA are extrordinary!!

To me the greatest racehorse commentator of all time was Sir Peter O,Sullevan who called the races for the BBC for about 40 years.It is always good to hear Commentators who made it like Trevor Denman and the new race caller at Churchill Downs Mark Johnson give special praise to Sir Peter.I am glad to say he is still with us livlig in his 90,s.

Personally, I can't stand Trevor or Johnson. Trevor is so nasally and has such a high pitched voice with a terrible accent. Johnson at Churchill same thing and he NEVER shuts up. Dave Johnson, Luke who trained under Harry greats who don't do it any more.

If you're someone who is at the races week in and week out,not just a casual fan? Those high pitched nasal twangs are unbearable after about two days straight.

If I have to hear about one more horse needing to "sprout wings" to catch the leader, I'm going to puke. Also, horses are "produced" in a breeding shed, not heading around the far turn. Durkin obviously hits a foul ball now and then, but who doesn't? He's the best in the States, although he takes a back seat to some of the callers they've got in England, France and Australia.

Tom Durkin has got to stop saying every move is DECISIVE when it is not. Last Saturday Rutheriene made a so-called DECISIVE move and lost.  

I grew up watching racing on ABC with Dave Johnson calling.  To me, nothing beats a good "And down the stretch the come!"

Tom Durkin is by far the best. I used to enjoy Dave Johnson, does anybody know why he doesn't call the races anymore???? As for worst, I would have to say Mike Betaglia at Turfway. Boring, boring, boring.

I just love armchair critics, LOL, they are so willing to diss anyone, anytime, horse or human...

Not sure of his name, but the announcer for Pimlico and Laurel does an excellent job. I agree that Durkin has lost a step or two. Glad that he will not be at the BC.

amo5609 - I totally agree with you. That is the one defining statement that is known by anyone old enuf' and lucky enuf' to have heard Mr. Johnson make that KY Derby call.  

I'm sure if you asked any non-racing enthusiast of what they can remember about their experience watching the race, it would be that exciting, hypnotic stretch call.

All race callers are truly talented.  To be able to match the silks, to the jockey, to the horse and full fields is one of the most amazing and wonderous feats performed by a human. I admire them all.  

I just love the armchair critics of the armchair critics.

I thought the call of the Travers was ok but the camera angle was terrible... I couldn't tell what was going on...

I like Tom Durkin.  I think he's a great guy and a good race caller.  He's not perfect but who is?  I also like Trevor Denman, I always have.

keenelandcat, that's Dave Rodman you're thinking of. I like him alot as well.

Tom Durkin is OK but Larry Colmus at monmouth Park is outstanding. He describes the race without trying to be the star. Remember the horses are the stars, not the track announcer. "down the stretch they come" is overworked and sounds as bad as keith berman (espn). Colmus is the man