As we approach the 31st running of the Breeders’ Cup World Championships, each of us will analyze one potential contender per week that we think, based on their campaign and resume, fit the profile of a Breeders’ Cup winner.

In anticipation of next weekend’s QE II Challenge Cup at Keeneland, today’s BC Profile examines “Win and You’re In” Qualified and Filly and Mare Turf Contender Tapestry.

Continue reading Breeders’ Cup Profile: Tapestry, Filly and Mare Turf →

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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.

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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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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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.

Today we look at the 1994 Breeders Cup Classic, won by Concern. In his call, Tom Durkin displays his incomparable skills as a race caller, by identifying Concern’s winning run that began before the half mile pole.

Concern, who placed in the Preakness and Travers earlier that year, was known as a deep closer. In the Classic, he started a sustained run on the backstretch and gained momentum all the way along the far turn. In the stretch he passed Derby winner Go for Gin and battles with Preakness winnerTabasco Cat to the wire in a dramatic last to first victory.

Concern’s run could easily been lost by a less than expert race caller, but Durkin proved his excellence once again. The call at the line, “Concern from out of the clouds” adds a memorable line to a long list of Durkin favorites.

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