A Legend Riding Off Into the Sunset

Yeah the title of today's post is very cliché, but well... I don't care. If you where like me and started to follow horse racing in the early 2000's then possibly the first track announcer you heard was Tom Durkin on NBC. Yesterday it was announced that he is retiring from the NYRA announcers booth effective the second to last day of the Saratoga meet this year. The following are just some of my favorite calls of Tom's. Most of these are post 2003, but there are a few that are before then.

2003 Kentucky Derby- Funny Cide: The Gutsy Gelding gets his nickname



2009 Kentucky Oaks- Rachel Alexandra: A Star is Born



2007 Beldame- Unbridled Belle: Beats her stablemate, that year's BC Distaff winner and the older sister to a future legend



2004 Kentucky Derby- Smarty Jones: First undefeated winner of the Derby since Seattle Slew, the start of the Philadelphia area assault on the Triple Crown



2007 Belmont Stakes- Rags to Riches: "A Filly in the Belmont!"



2008 Maiden- Doremifasollatido: Listen to the end



1995 Breeders' Cup Classic- Cigar: Tom's words at the end say it all



1998 Breeders' Cup Mile- Da Hoss: What a finish, Lazerus indeed!



2004 Jockey Club Gold Cup- Funny Cide: "The Gutsty Gelding Indeed!"



2007 King's Bishop- Hard Spun: Turning back challenges



2005 Preakness- Afleet Alex: Dramatic



2005 Riva Ridge- Lost in the Fog: "Undefeated, and it will stay that way!"



2009 Woodward- Rachel Alexandra: "RACHEL WON!"



There are several other races I could include, but this is just a portion. The good news is that Tom will be calling this year's Belmont and Travers, so we'll be able to enjoy him for that. Hopefully NYRA names a stakes race after him.