1 Comment

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  Kathleen Belmonte - 10 years ago

  There are SO many great, wonderful, exciting, entertaining, et al, calls from SO many different announcers, many of whom were unfortunately not iincluded in this poll, but personally I think these 3 are my favorites;
  1. Yes, absolutely, Chick's amazement in his voice when he called, " Secretariat is moving like a TREMENDOUS MACHINE!!!" gave his listeners the gift of realizing that they were witnessing history in the making.
  2. Excuse my ignorance, but was it Trevor Denman who called Zenyatta's winning race (#19?) as she moved from last to first saying,"THIS IS UN-BE-LIEVE-ABLE!!!!!" This too, was a history-making race and 2nd favorite call.
  3. For this call not to have been in the poll of Tom Durkin's Favorites is beyond me. Personally, I would have to say that this was my favorite of all.
  I think they were at Hollywood Park when, a few minutes into this particular race, a pretty strong earthquake began to happen. This was hilarious...the horses kept running, as if this was no big deal, but Tom started freaking out as he called the race. Haha! He told the fans that he enjoyed his job and that he loved them. He mentioned his family too, but I can't remember what he said. But at the end of the race (with an obvious tone of humor in Tom's voice, mixed with honesty and a bit of fear he said something to the tone of, "WELL FOLKS, I DON'T KNOW WHO WON THIS RACE AND I REALLY DON'T CARE!!!!!"
  HAHAHAHAHA....Isn't that just the BEST?

  Mr. Durkin,
  Thank you, thank you, thank you.
  There will be such a void when you leave us in 9 short days and you will be sorely missed. What an extraordinary talent you have, a gift you've shared with us and for that, we are most grateful.

  May your retirement bring happiness, health and joy to you and your family.

  With great fondness, appreciation and admiration,

  Kathleen Cahill Belmonte