40 Days of Durkin: August 30, 2014

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.

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As the final day of Durkin approaches, we give you the call that many consider the the highlight of two of the most impressive careers in horse racing. The 2009 Woodward brought together Rachel Alexandra, a fan favorite filly taking on the boys for the 3rd time in her 3 year old season, and Tom Durkin who was about to call one of the most important and best races of his life.

Both Durkin and Rachel were already considered champions. Rachel had decimated the Kentucky Oaks, came back to win the Preakness against the boys two weeks later and beat the boys again in the Haskell. Durkin had called many big races, Derbys and Breeders Cups before this Woodward, but never had a horse in recent memory with  a nationwide following come to the races with so much to prove.

Rachel Alexandra, a 3 year old filly, had proven herself against 3 year old males already, a sign of a champion filly and making her a strong candidate for horse of the year. But her connections were not satisfied, they wanted to prove that she was without a doubt the best horse in he country and the only way to do that was to take on older males.

Rachel’s followers backed her strongly at the window, but any savvy horse fan knew that her 1-4 odds were by no means a lock. At the break she took her usual place at the front of the pack, but as Durkin noted the field gave her “no free ride”, forcing her to go :22 4/5 for the first quarter.

Rachel maintained her lead throughout the backstretch, with each horse giving her a run. As she made the top of the stretch she had already turned back three runners best efforts, but Macho Again and Bullsbay, that year’s Whitney and Stephen Foster winners respectively, still had shots to take at the big filly.

Bullsbay came first, making a move in mid-stretch. However Rachel repulsed it. But Macho Again, who benefitted from the fast fractions, was making a huge run from last. He approached Rachel just outside the 1/16th pole. Calvin Borel implored Rachel for her best run and she responded. You can hear the desperation in Durkin’s voice, as he and the crowd held their collective breath all wanting to see the great filly do the impossible.

At the line “it was going to be desperately close” as Macho Again was relentless but Rachel proved her champion status. She held off Macho Again in a dramatic stretch drive for the ages. It was the loudest crowd and applause I had ever heard at Saratoga. Bigger than any Travers winner, it did indeed “raise the rafters at the Spa”. The applause continued throughout the winner’s circle presentation, and did not end she was well down the stretch on her way to her barn.

The race, visually impressive, allowed Durkin to display all of his dramatic talents. Watch it, enjoy the race. But to truly appreciate all that is Durkin, just listen to the call. Don’t watch the race. Let him paint you the picture. His voice tells the whole story.

 

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40 Days of Durkin: Friday, August 29, 2014

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.

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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!”

 

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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.

 

 

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40 Days of Durkin: Thursday, August 28, 2014

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.

Tom Durkin’s storied career is drawing closer to the wire.  While we have some absolute classic races remaining in our 40 Days series, which we will cover over the weekend, today we look back at a not-so-classic race won by a great racehorse.  But the point of today’s post is to highlight one of the things that made Tom Durkin so great.

Tom Durkin always realized that he was not the show, the story or the attraction for patrons attending the races.  He was there to add to and describe the experience, which he did better than anyone ever has, but it was not about him.  A shining example is found on a Belmont day when Commentator faced an overmatched group of foes, and ran them all off their feet.  After a characteristically perfect Durkin call down to the sixteenth pole, Durkin left the rest to Commentator.  “Just take a look at this horse move!  No need to call it.”

 

 

 

 

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40 Days of Durkin: Wednesday, August 27, 2014

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.

Have you seen the pirate movie?

It’s rated ARRRRRGGGGHHH!  What does that lame joke have to do with Tom Durkin?  Well, on August 16, 2008 at Saratoga, their happened to be a horse entered named Arrrgh.  One of the best things about Tom Durkin is that he can make any race excited, no matter the level, class or competition.  Also, he is always ready, willing and able to take advantage of a unique or funny horse name to spice up what would otherwise be (for him) a mundane call.

That was exactly the situation Tom Durkin faced when Arrrgh was entered.  And, as you can see below, he had fun with it.  Today we look back at a not-so-classic race that yielded and absolutely classic call from Tom Durkin.

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40 Days of Durkin: Monday, August 25, 2014

 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.

Anyone can get excited over a thrilling stretch drive and dramatic finish.  One of the many traits that makes Durkin so great, in our opinion, is his ability add excitement and drama to dominant performances.  It’s telling that two of Durkin’s most famous calls–Arazi’s Juvenile romp and Cigar’s going away win in the 1995 Breeders’ Cup Classic–did not involve a photo finish.  Today, we look at a third example, Borrego’s dominant 2005 Jockey Club Gold Cup win. 

Fresh off a break through win in the Pacific Classic, Borrego headed east to Belmont (home of the 2005 Classic) for the Jockey Club Gold Cup, where he sought to become the first horse to win the Pacifi Classic and Gold Cup in the same year.  Borrego spotted field about a dozen lengths, but thanks to a solid pace prompted by an many as four horses, he was ready to pounce (more like maule) as they entered the far turn. 

We’ll let Durkin take it from here.  Again, amazing to hear how thrilling he makes a race seem where the winner litterally walked home the last 16th of a mile.

Also, good luck to Thorobro Master of Hounds who will be competing in/ reporting on NYRA’s recently added low roller tournament.  Follow our twitter feed today for live updates.

 

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40 Days of Durkin: Sunday, August 24, 2014

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.

We hope everyone enjoyed yesterday’s epic renewal of the Travers.  In watching the two Jimmy Jerkens’ entrants hit the wire together, we couldn’t help but recall another instance where two stable mates dueled to a tantalizingly close finish in a Grade 1 stakes at Saratoga–the 1997 Go For Wand.

Durkin has crowned the battle between John Kimmel’s champion Hidden Lake and Flat Fleet Feet as “the most exciting race I’ve ever called.”

Hidden Lake entered the 1997 Go For Wand as a heavy favorite and considered by many to be the star of the Filly and Mare division.  However, as they entered the stretch of the 1997 Go For Wand, Hidden Lake was passed by Flat Fleet Feet, not once, but twice.

As Durkin recalls:

Hidden Lake did something that I’d never seen before and have never seen since − she lost the lead twice in the stretch and came back to beat Flat Fleet Feet, who was a great filly, a Grade 1 filly. And they were both trained by John Kimmel. It was a very close photo finish, but I could tell that Hidden Lake won, and so did [Richard] Migliore. It was an incredible display of gameness. She extended herself so much that she couldn’t make it back to the winner’s circle. Migliore had to get off her, and they had to hose her down in front of the clubhouse. They finally revived her, and she came back to the winner’s circle to tremendous, crazy applause.

The scene following the race was filled with potentially tragic ironies. Hidden Lake had just expended an incredibly courageous effort, the likes of which had not been seen since the 1990 Breeders’ Cup Distaff, where the namesake of the race Hidden Lake had just captured, Go For Wand, gallantly fought to finish the race despite suffering a catastrophic injury in the final 1/16th.  As an even further reminder, Go For Wand was laid to rest in the Saratoga infield, just yards away from where Hidden Lake appeared to be in distress.  Fortunately, Hidden Lake was revived, and as Durkin notes, returned to a champion’s reception before the appreciative Saratoga crowd.

For those of us lucky to be there that day, it was an unbelievable scene which was undoubtedly enhanced by yet another classic Durkin call.

 

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40 Days of Durkin: Saturday, August 23, 2014

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.

Happy Travers Day everyone!  Its the biggest day of the Saratoga meet, and Tom Durkin generally brings his fastball for the big race.  Today’s 40 Days looks back on one of the most dramatic renewals of the Travers in the race’s 145 year history.

The 1998 Travers featured Victory Gallop, the 1998 Belmont winner and spoiler of Real Quiet’s Triple Crown bid, Coronado’s Quest and longshot Raffie’s Majesty.  Coronado’s Quest came into the race off four straight graded stakes scores, including the Dwyer and the Haskell Invitational.  He was known for his difficult temperament, which had earned him the nickname “The Bad Boy of Racing.”  Coronado’s Quest’s sire, Forty Niner, had also been a Travers winner, prevailing over Seeking the Gold and Brian’s Time in a close three-way finish in 1988.  Raffie’s Majesty was an outsider in the race, having been beaten by others in the race in both the Belmont and the Jim Dandy.   He would relish his role as spoiler, however, and would nearly get the job done.

The race, which was won by Coronado’s Quest in a three-way photo finish by the slimmest of margins, would feature some of Tom Durkin’s best work.  His call was pitch-perfect, as usual, rising in a crescendo as Victory Gallop summoned one more bid and Raffie’s Majesty closed from far back  on the outside.  The call culminated with an iconic Durkin call:  “Coronado’s Quest, Victory Gallop, and Raffie’s Majesty, three noses on the line in a dramatic renewal of the Travers!”

Enjoy this edition of 40 Days of Durkin and, most of all, enjoy your Travers Day.

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40 Days of Durkin: Friday, August 22, 2014

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.

On the morning of November 5, 1988, Personal Ensign had started 12 times, and hit the wire first every single time.  That afternoon would bring the greatest test of her life, however.  She was due to face the Derby winner, Winning Colors, on a sloppy track in the Breeders’ Cup Distaff.  In a race for the ages, Personal Ensign would show just why she was one of the greatest champions the sport has seen.  She would retire with 13 wins in 13 starts — but she would need every inch of the 1 1/8 miles in order to get it done.

Tom Durkin’s call was characteristically spectacular.  From his prerace monologue, in which he set the stage for the clash between these two great fillies, to his closing exclamation that “in those final 110 courageous yards she certainly proved herself a champion this afternoon,” his call matched the high drama of the confrontation.

The feature race at Saratoga today, the Personal Ensign Handicap (GI), also features an epic clash between Close Hatches and Princess of Sylmar.  The race promises to be a fitting tribute to its namesake, who retired undefeated but, as the video below shows, not unchallenged.

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40 Days of Durkin: Thursday August 21, 2014

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.

Dramatic stretch drives have been a huge part of this list, and today’s feature race is among the most dramatic in recent memory. Although the finish of the 2004 Belmont was not “desperately close” (don’t worry that one’s coming), the on-track drama of waiting to see if the undefeated Smarty Jones could become the first Triple Crown Winner since Affirmed made the the 122,000 fans in attendance hold their collective breath.

Smarty Jones took the lead on the backstretch, and the crowd roared.  Tom Durkin noted the history of the moment at every instance. He made reference to Secretariat’s time, and how much longer Smarty had to hold on to the lead for when he hit the 5/8ths pole. Durkin noted the 26 years that had elapsed since the last Triple Crown winner, as Smarty entered the stretch with the lead.

However, Birdstone’s sustained run that began on the far turn was not lost on Durkin in the face of history. Although 4 lengths behind at the top of the stretch, Birdstone was going to make Smarty Jones “earn it”.

Smarty Jones continued to run, but obviously tired. You can hear the desperation in Durkin’s voice, as he too must have been hopeful to call a Triple Crown. But Birdstone was too strong, and passed Smarty Jones to end the historical run.

Those in attendance, including this Thorobro, were deflated. (You can read about my experience here: http://thorobros.com/?p=108)

But Durkin’s call perfectly summed up the experience. A beautiful effort from a tremendous horse to complete the nearly impossible. And Birdstone went on to prove he was a worthy adversary, as he continued his career by winning the Travers later that summer.

Could history repeat itself on Saturday, as Tonalist brings his talents to the Spa after ending Cali Chrome’s Triple Crown bid? We will be there to find out, and no matter what Tom Durkin will be there to provide a voice to what is sure to be a great and historical running of the Mid-Summer Derby.

 

 

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40 Days of Durkin: Wednesday, August 20, 2014

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 Sport of Kings boasts numerous iconic moments, such as Ron Turcotte gazing back 31 lengths, searching for any other horses in the same area code; Carl Nafzger describing Unbridled’s 1990 Kentucky Derby win for 90 year old owner Frances Geneter; and Chris Antley, kneeling on the Belmont dirt, clutching Charismatic’s leg, just moments after a disappointing Triple Crown loss.

Equally deserving of inclusion on this list, in our opinion, is the 1988 Breeders’ Cup Classic.  Dubbed the Midnight Classic, it was held in the rain and under complete darkness beneath Churchill Downs’ fabled twin spires.  Flashbulbs were popping as the horses ran into the night. In the end, Alysheba, literally and figuratively, emerged from the darkness and ran into the national spotlight, crossing the wire victorious.

Of course, in addition to this dramatic backdrop, there was Tom Durkin, who provided the vivid narrative for yet another iconic racing moment.

Alysheba entered the 1988 Breeder’s Cup Classic as the winner of the 1987 Kentucky Derby and tough luck runner up of the 1987 Classic (more on that race soon).  He had already reeled off 5 Grade 1 victories during his four year old campaign and looked to clinch horse of the year honors.  The betting public made him a heavy 3/2 favorite.  The victory was far from easy. Alysheba, piloted for the 16th consecutive time by Chris McCarron, assumed the lead halfway through the stretch, but around the 1/8th pole, it appeared as though Seeking the Gold (this Thorobro’s first ever horse crush-I was 6 years old) and Pat Day had Alysheba measured.

“Alysheba with a short lead.  He’s unyielding! Seeking the Gold, a final move as they come to the wire! And…Alysheba, America’s horse, has done it!”

“Alysheba wins the world’s richest horse race, and he’s now the world’s richest horse.”

It was a surreal moment, nearly impossible to reduce to words; unless, of course, you’re the greatest race caller of our generation.

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