Announcing the End of an Era

Published: July 17, 2014 09:39 am EDT

As a fan of race calling – and the professionals who demonstrate their mastery of this art at racetracks everywhere – I pay homage to a race calling legend: Tom Durkin.

As has been reported on this this site, Tom will be retiring from his position as race caller at New York Racing Association tracks after 24 seasons. His last day at the microphone will be Sunday, August 31, the penultimate day of the Saratoga meet.

You may have a favourite Tom Durkin call. It may be from one of the first 22 editions of the Breeders’ Cup that he called, his humourously creative calls of such horses as Arrrrr or Doremifasollatido, or any of the races he called throughout his 43-year career.

So, why I am writing a blog about a thoroughbred announcer on a standardbred Web site? Tom’s roots in the game go back to the standardbred side: he got his start as an announcer by calling county fairs in the Midwest. Later, he was the voice of harness racing at The Meadowlands, where his calls of such greats as Nihilator and Cam Fella resonate with many of us to this day.

Tom is still involved in standardbred racing as an owner. He currently owns two standardbreds with his friend, Joe Spadaro. One is Coraggioso, a winner of over $650,000. The other is Elettrizzante, a full brother to Coraggioso. Tom and Joe also owned My T Bunny, whose story was reported on this site some time ago.

On a personal level, I have had the pleasure of meeting Tom at Saratoga, where he welcomes fans almost every race day each season into his booth to hear – and watch – him at work during the day’s third race. Proceeds go to a charity which provides much-needed health benefits, insurance and other assistance to backstretch workers. (You can meet Tom, too: just call B.E.S.T. at (516) 488-3434 and ask about the Third Race Call with Tom Durkin. Very few spots are left as I write this.)

Tom has also been kind enough to give me feedback. I am not only thankful that he took the time to listen to one of my calls and provide me with that feedback, but I am also grateful that his guidance was gentle, tactful, and useful – particularly compared to his hilarious critique of another race calling newbie: Bobby Flay.

In all seriousness, Tom will be missed when he steps down from the announcer’s booth for the last time. In a 2011 interview with New York’s off-track betting channel, OTB TV, Tom was asked about his retirement plans, and replied “God laughs at people who make plans". It looks like Tom is getting the last laugh this time. Get out to Saratoga – or tune in via simulcast – and enjoy listening to this true race calling master while you still can. Happy retirement, Tom – or, given Tom’s appreciation for the Italian language and culture, I must say, “in bocca al lupo"! Thanks for all the memories and inspiring calls!


The views presented in Trot Blogs are those of the author and do not necessarily represent those of Standardbred Canada.

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