In honor of Tom Durkin’s retirement from race calling on August 31, we are taking a look back at 40 of his most memorable calls–one for each day of the 2014 Saratoga meet.
In many ways, it’s almost unfair to designate the 1987 Breeders’ Cup Classic as one of Durkin’s greatest calls. The plot lines were obvious and dramatic. The race involved the last two Kentucky Derby winners, Alysheba and Ferdinand. The latter was ridden by the legendary Bill Shoemaker, 56 years old at the time of the race, and in the twilight of his career. At stake was the world’s richest purse. More importantly, the race far exceeded the storylines as Ferdinand finally assumed the lead in the final sixteenth but had to hold off the younger Derby winner, Alysheba, who was closing with every stride as they reached the shadow of the wire.
As Durkin admitted in an article with DRF, “There was a lot to work with in that race, but that stretch drive! That stretch drive! No announcer could have ever had it fall into his lap any better than when you get to say…’two Derby winners hit the wire together.’”
While it may be true that Durkin had the perfect set up for this race (similar to being lone speed in a six furlong sprint at Calder), he still had to deliver. And true to form, he did, with arguably the most iconic one liner in the sport’s history (with apologies to “He’s moving like a tremendous machine.”).
“Ferdinand has the lead. Alysheba, a final surge! And the two Derby winners, hit the wire togetherrr!”
Only three days left in Durkin’s historic career. We encourage everyone to visit the Spa or tune in remotely to watch these final 30 plus calls.
