Six Kentucky Derby Prep races on NBC in 2012
Kentucky Derby prep races on NBC will showcase six races on four consecutive weekends of LIVE racing. The Live racing will be broadcast March 24th through April 14th on the NBC family of networks as part of an agreement between NBC, racetracks and the Jockey Club.
The Jockey Club has taken on an initiative to co-fund the broadcasts as part of a five year plan to broaden the public profile of thoroughbred horse racing. This is recommendation comes from a report prepared for the Jockey Club by McKinsey and Company back in 2011.
Jockey Club spokesperson Bob Curran said that the deal with NBC is for one year with NBC having the ability to pick up the option for a second year. Of course picking up a second year will depend on ratings and the public showing enough interest in live KentuckyDerby Prep racing on the road to the roses.
“We hope it is the beginning of a longer-term relationship,” Curran said.
The series will kick offits live broadcasts on Versus which has been renamed NBC Sports Network on March 24th with the Vinery Stakes at Turfway Park. March 31st is the Florida Derby at Gulfstream Park on the NBC Sports Network with live broadcasts moving to NBC for the April 7th Wood Memorial at Aqueduct and the Santa Anita Derby at Santa Anita Park. The final installment of live racing will be April 14th, showcasing the Blue Grass Stakes at Keeneland and Arkansas Derby at Oaklawn Park on CNBC before the Kentucky Derby on May 5th presented by Yum! Brands on NBC.
The Kentucky Derby Prep races on NBC series will also help to promote NBC’s coverage of the Triple Crown races, showing the Kentucky Derby, Preakness Stakes and Belmont Stakes through 2015.
March 24th – Vinery Stakes at Turfway Park on NBC Sports Network
March 31st – Florida Derby at Gulfstream Park on NBC Sports Network
April 7th – Wood Memorial at Aqueduct and Santa Anita Derby at Santa Anita Park on NBC
April 14th – Blue Grass Stakes at Keeneland and Arkansas Derby at Oaklawn Park on CNBC
Originally Posted on All Horse Racing
Recent Columns
- Belmont Stakes deny Ill Have Another Triple Crown
Belmont Stakes Betting - Ill Have Another is being denied the use of his nasal strip for the final leg of the Triple Crown by the Belmont Park stewards. - 2012 Preakness: Entries, Post Positions and Morning Line Odds
2012 Preakness Stakes: Entries, Post Positions and Morning Line Odds for Saturday's Preakness Stakes at Pimlico in Baltimore. Second Jewel of the Triple Crown. - Preakness Stakes Odds
- Kentucky Derby Betting: Bet on Kentucky Derby
Kentucky Derby Betting is already underway but it’s not too late to get some last minute advice from the best handicappers in horse racing. Before you bet on the Kentucky Derby with your last minute picks, be sure to read what the professionals are saying and who they are putting their money on. - Kentucky Derby Draw & Morning Line Odds
Kentucky Derby Draw for post positions and the morning line odds took place are official. Bodemeister is your Kentucky Derby 138 favorite after drawing post position #6 and is 4-1 on the morning line odds. Union Rags will be the second favorite at 9-2.
About
Every year Jack McKinney follows the new 2 year olds on the scene through the Breeder’s Cup as maturing 3 year olds.
Follow Jack on Twitter @TripleCrownCapr...