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.
The only figure perhaps more famous at Saratoga than Tom Durkin is Fourstardave. So, Thorobros would be remiss if we did not include a Fourstardave call in our 40 Days of Durkin series. And is there a more appropriate time to do so than on the day of ‘Dave’s Grade 1 race?
The Sultan of Saratoga won at least one race at the Spa for eight consecutive years spanning from 1987 thru 1994. In doing so, he became a local legend. Fourstardave retired after making 99 starts with a record of 21-18-16 and earnings of $1,636,560. He also owns a mellon turf course record at Saratoga, traveling a mile and sixteenth in 1:38 4/5.
In 1995, following his retirement, Fourstardave was given an edible key to the city of Saratoga and a street, “Fourstardave Way” was named in his honor. On a personal note, two young Thorobros attended the 1995 street naming outside Siros and have signed goggles which Angel Cordero wore that day as he rode ‘Dave over from the barn area.
Today’s clip is of Tom Durkin cheering home the “Old Boy” as he dominates an allowance field for his final Saratoga victory. Enjoy and best of luck to everone wagering on today’s Fourstardave.
