Calling 'Em Like He Sees 'Em

re: Calling 'Em Like He Sees 'Em

normali14 — Fri, 04 Sep 2009 12:26:33 GMT

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

re: Calling 'Em Like He Sees 'Em

Melissa — Wed, 02 Sep 2009 23:45:00 GMT

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

re: Calling 'Em Like He Sees 'Em

MonicaV — Wed, 02 Sep 2009 19:14:17 GMT

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.

re: Calling 'Em Like He Sees 'Em

Bob Z — Wed, 02 Sep 2009 18:24:33 GMT

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

re: Calling 'Em Like He Sees 'Em

Wiseguy — Wed, 02 Sep 2009 18:19:51 GMT

I just love the armchair critics of the armchair critics.

re: Calling 'Em Like He Sees 'Em

New Orleans Lady — Wed, 02 Sep 2009 18:18:20 GMT

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.

re: Calling 'Em Like He Sees 'Em

keenelandcat — Wed, 02 Sep 2009 13:39:19 GMT

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.

re: Calling 'Em Like He Sees 'Em

da3hoss — Wed, 02 Sep 2009 13:27:30 GMT

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

re: Calling 'Em Like He Sees 'Em

MK in FL — Wed, 02 Sep 2009 12:47:23 GMT

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.

re: Calling 'Em Like He Sees 'Em

amo5609 — Wed, 02 Sep 2009 03:06:23 GMT

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

re: Calling 'Em Like He Sees 'Em

Fred P — Wed, 02 Sep 2009 02:14:06 GMT

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.

re: Calling 'Em Like He Sees 'Em

Mike A. — Wed, 02 Sep 2009 01:07:37 GMT

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.

re: Calling 'Em Like He Sees 'Em

Tim G — Wed, 02 Sep 2009 00:55:11 GMT

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.

re: Calling 'Em Like He Sees 'Em

John T. — Wed, 02 Sep 2009 00:18:06 GMT

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.

re: Calling 'Em Like He Sees 'Em

rhoward — Wed, 02 Sep 2009 00:16:26 GMT

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!!

re: Calling 'Em Like He Sees 'Em

RGGC — Tue, 01 Sep 2009 22:45:41 GMT

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.

re: Calling 'Em Like He Sees 'Em

Bill Daly — Tue, 01 Sep 2009 20:53:22 GMT

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.

re: Calling 'Em Like He Sees 'Em

New Orleans Lady — Tue, 01 Sep 2009 20:16:06 GMT

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.

re: Calling 'Em Like He Sees 'Em

scorptraduh — Tue, 01 Sep 2009 19:16:41 GMT

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!

re: Calling 'Em Like He Sees 'Em

Flynne — Tue, 01 Sep 2009 19:13:27 GMT

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.

re: Calling 'Em Like He Sees 'Em

slewed'em — Tue, 01 Sep 2009 18:44:48 GMT

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.

re: Calling 'Em Like He Sees 'Em

ALB — Tue, 01 Sep 2009 18:42:52 GMT

I totally agree with you, Taxman!

re: Calling 'Em Like He Sees 'Em

Overrrrrrrrrated — Tue, 01 Sep 2009 18:29:56 GMT

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.......'

re: Calling 'Em Like He Sees 'Em

MISSEDCALLS — Tue, 01 Sep 2009 17:31:39 GMT

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.

re: Calling 'Em Like He Sees 'Em

John's Call — Tue, 01 Sep 2009 17:23:08 GMT

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.