Legendary horse race announcer Tom Durkin comes out of retirement for 2023 Belmont Stakes
One of the most iconic voices in all of sports, Tom Durkin, returns on Saturday to call the Belmont Stakes.
Fox Sports made the announcement last month that the race caller will appear again in the booth. Durkin retired in 2014 after a 43-year career. He will call all of Saturday's action, including the main event, which has a post time of 7:05 p.m. ET.
The New York race will be aired for the first time on Fox this year after being on NBC with the other two Triple Crown races — the Kentucky Derby and Preakness Stakes — since 2011.
"The Belmont Stakes has been an iconic part of sports culture for more than 150 years," Durkin, 72, said in a statement. "There is nothing like the energy and enthusiasm around Belmont Park with a Triple Crown on the line. It is the apotheosis of excitement."
"We are honored to have the legendary Tom Durkin return for the Belmont Stakes this year," Fox Sports President of Production/Operations and Executive Producer Brad Zager said. "When it became official that an iconic piece of the historic Triple Crown would air on FOX, we knew it could only be complete with Tom’s voice as the soundtrack."
Durkin said this will be a one-time return and doesn't want to follow the footsteps of a famous quarterback who can't decide if he's really done.
“I was okay with being retired all that time and I think mine is a real retirement,” he said, according to DRF. “It was nine years. It wasn’t like Tom Brady who came out of retirement before you could say Gisele Bundchen.”
This year's running at Belmont Park has been cast in controversy due to the poor air quality in the area because of smoke from Canada wildfires and recent deaths across the sport.
Who is Tom Durkin?
Durkin became one of horse race's most well-known voices as he called the three Triple Crown races from 2001-2014 with enthusiasm and wit that captivated audiences. He built his career spending 24 years on the New York Racing Circuit and established himself with the Breeders' Cup, calling the first race in 1984 and calling every competition through 2005.
Durkin is a Chicago native who started his career in race calling at Wisconsin county fairs in the summer of 1971. He called races at various local tracks before joining the team at Hialeah Race Course in Florida in 1981.
His final race in 2014 was the Spinaway at Saratoga where Condo Commando won on a rainy day. As the horse crossed the finish line with a large lead, Durkin said she was "splash-tastic."
In his time after calling races, he stayed involved in the horse racing community, working with the Racing Hall of Fame and sharing in ownership of 2017 Kentucky Derby winner Always Dreaming.
What are Tom Durkin's best calls?
Of the many races Durkin has called, it's difficult to point out just a few highlights.
His narration of the 1995 Breeders' Cup Classic when Cigar won is widely regarded as one of his most exciting calls. His inflection created excitement for the horse's comeback that secured an undefeated season. "The incomparable, invincible, unbeatable Cigar!"
Another Breeders' Cup Classic call that fans have fond memories of is the 2001 race where Tiznow won. Tiznow not only came from behind in the race, but bounced back from an injury that could have ended his career. The competition was held a month after the 9/11 attacks in New York City only an hour away from the race course. The day was a symbol of hope and resilience. "Tiznow wins it for America!"
The 1994 Travers Stakes shows Durkin's ability to highlight drama, and his clever use of wordplay. Holy Bull got out to a solid lead, before Concern made a late push. "There is cause for Concern!" Durkin shouted, but the frontrunner held on for the win. "What a hero!"
Durkin was on the call at the 2007 Belmont Stakes when Rags to Riches narrowly beat out Curlin to become the first filly to win the esteemed race in more than 100 years. Durkin dubbed it a "battle of the sexes" and expertly narrated the drama.
The 1998 Belmont Stakes was one of nine races where Durkin had the opportunity to call a Triple Crown winner — he struck out each time. Real Quiet had previously won the Kentucky Derby and Preakness Stakes and was looking to make history with a win at the third leg of the series. He had a solid lead through most of the race before Victory Gallop stormed beside him. "Too tight to call! ... That's a photo finish."