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NBC SPORTS PRESENTS FINAL BREEDERS’ CUP CHALLENGE SERIES RACE LIVE FROM KEENELAND TOMORROW, WEDNESDAY OCT. 13 AT 4 P.M. ET ON NBCSN

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LEXINGTON, Ky. (Oct. 12, 2021) ― Led by unbeaten Turnerloose, an overflow field of 14, including two also-eligibles, has been entered for Wednesday’s $200,000 Jessamine Stakes (G2) at Keeneland Race Course with the final automatic starting position in the $1 million Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf (G1) up for grabs. The 1 1/16-mile race for 2-year-old fillies will be televised live on NBCSN at 4 p.m. ET as a part of the “Breeders’ Cup Challenge Series: Win and You’re In – presented by America’s Best Racing.”

Wednesday program marks the 13th and final show in this year’s “Breeders’ Cup Challenge Series: Win and You’re In – presented by America’s Best Racing” on NBC and NBCSN from some of North America’s most iconic racetracks. The series leads to the 38th Breeders’ Cup World Championships at Del Mar racetrack in Del Mar, California, on Nov. 5-6, which will be shown live on NBC and NBCSN. The Breeders’ Cup World Championships television schedule appears here.

NBC Sports’ coverage will feature commentary and discussion from its International Broadcast Center in Stamford, Conn., led by host Ahmed Fareed, analyst Randy Moss, and handicapper Matt Bernier. Reporters Britney Eurton and Nick Luck will be on-site at Keeneland.

Dawn and Ike Thrash’s Turnerloose has started her career with two wins. Trained by Brad Cox, the daughter of 2015 Breeders’ Cup Juvenile (G1) and 2016 Kentucky Derby (G1) winner Nyquist broke her maiden at 1 mile at Ellis Park on July 16 and then captured the 1-mile Aristocrat Juvenile Fillies Stakes at Kentucky Downs by five lengths on Sept. 6. Florent Geroux rides from post three. Another runner coming off a big effort at Kentucky Downs is Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners’ Dressed, who has won two of her three starts. After breaking her maiden in her second try at Arlington Park, Dressed, trained by Wayne Catalano, came from off the pace to win a 6 ½-furlong allowance optional claiming race at Kentucky Downs on Sept. 12 by 3 ¼ lengths. Dressed will be ridden by Flavien Prat from post 12.

Making a five-wide sweeping move, SF Racing’s Misthaven (IRE) won on debut in a 6 ½-furlong maiden special weight by 1 ¾ lengths on Sept 5 at Kentucky Downs. Breaking from post 10, Misthaven, trained by Joe Sharp, will be ridden by Tyler Gaffalione. Starting just to the outside of Misthaven in post 11 is Teneri Farm and J Stable’s Opalina. Trained by Roderick Rodriguez, Opalina is up from Gulfstream Park in Florida, where she broke her maiden at 1 mile on Sept. 17. Opalina will be ridden by Edgard Zayas.

 

ABOUT NBC SPORTS GROUP

NBC Sports Group serves sports fans 24/7 with premier live events, insightful studio shows, and compelling original programming. The sports media company consists of NBC Sports, NBC Olympics, NBCSN, Golf Channel, Olympic Channel: Home of Team USA, NBC Sports Regional Networks, NBC Sports Audio Network and NBC Sports Digital, which includes NBCSports.com, NBCOlympics.com,GolfChannel.com, the digital assets of the NBC Sports Regional Networks, NBC Sports EDGE, the NBC Sports Talk franchise, multiple apps, and two transactional sports businesses, GolfNow and SportsEngine, and two direct-to-consumer products – NBC Sports Gold and GolfPass. NBC Sports Group possesses an unparalleled collection of media rights agreements, partnering with some of the most prestigious sports properties in the world: the International Olympic Committee and United States Olympic and Paralympic Committee, the NFL, NASCAR, INDYCAR, PGA TOUR, The R&A, PGA of America, USGA, Churchill Downs, Premier League, Tour de France, French Open, and many more.

 

ABOUT AMERICA’S BEST RACING

America’s Best Racing is a multimedia fan development and awareness-building platform, initiated by The Jockey Club, designed to increase the profile and visibility of North America’s best Thoroughbred racing events with a primary focus on the sport’s lifestyle and competition. You can follow America’s Best Racing at AmericasBestRacing.net as well as on social media platforms Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, YouTube, Instagram, and Snapchat.

 

ABOUT BREEDERS’ CUP

Breeders’ Cup Limited administers the Breeders’ Cup World Championships, Thoroughbred horse racing’s year-end Championships, as well as the Breeders’ Cup Challenge qualifying series, which provides automatic starting positions into the Championships races. The Breeders’ Cup is also a founding member of the Thoroughbred Safety Coalition, an organization composed of industry leaders committed to advancing safety measures in Thoroughbred racing and improving the well-being of equine and human athletes.

The 2021 Breeders’ Cup World Championships, consisting of 14 Championship races, is scheduled to be held on November 5-6 at Del Mar racetrack in Del Mar, California. The event will be televised live by the NBC Sports Group. Breeders’ Cup press releases appear on the Breeders’ Cup website, breederscup.com. You can also follow the Breeders’ Cup on social media.

NBC SPORTS PRESENTS THREE BREEDERS’ CUP CHALLENGE SERIES SHOWS LIVE FROM KEENELAND THIS WEEKEND, BEGINNING TOMORROW, FRIDAY OCT. 8 AT 5 P.M. ET ON NBCSN

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LEXINGTON, Ky. (Oct. 7, 2021) ― The “Breeders’ Cup Challenge Series: Win and You’re In – presented by America’s Best Racing” comes to Keeneland Race Course in Lexington, Kentucky for a blockbuster weekend of top Thoroughbreds competing for final automatic berths in the Breeders’ Cup World Championships with three live telecasts on NBCSN. The  action begins on Friday, Oct. 8 (5-6 p.m. ET) featuring the $400,000 Darley Alcibiades (G1) and continues, on Saturday, Oct. 9 (5-6 p.m. ET) with the $750,000 Keeneland Turf Mile (G1) headlined by Order of Australia (IRE), winner of last year’s FanDuel Breeders’ Cup Mile Presented by PDJF (G1). Saturday’s program will also include the $500,000 Claiborne Breeders’ Futurity (G1). The weekend concludes on Sunday, Oct. 10 (4:30-6 p.m. ET) with the $500,000 Juddmonte Spinster Stakes (G1), led by the nation’s top older female Letruska.

The three programs mark the 10th, 11th, and 12th telecasts this year in the “Breeders’ Cup Challenge Series: Win and You’re In – presented by America’s Best Racing” on NBC and NBCSN from some of North America’s most iconic racetracks. The television series, which concludes on Wednesday, Oct. 13 at Keeneland with the JPMorgan Jessamine Stakes (G2) (NBCSN 4-5 p.m. ET), leads to the 38th Breeders’ Cup World Championships at Del Mar racetrack in Del Mar, California, on Nov. 5-6, which will be shown live on NBC and NBCSN. The complete series TV schedule can be accessed here.

NBC Sports’ coverage for all three telecasts feature commentary and discussion from its International Broadcast Center in Stamford, Conn., led by host Ahmed Fareed, analyst Randy Moss, and handicapper Matt Bernier. Reporters Britney Eurton and Nick Luck will be on-site at Keeneland.

A field of 12 has been entered for Friday’s 1 1/16-mile Darley Alcibiades, for 2-year-old fillies,  with the winner receiving an automatic berth into the $2 million Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies (G1). The Albaugh Family Stables’ Juju’s Map is the 5-2 morning line favorite off her commanding 5 ½-length maiden victory at Ellis Park on Sept. 3. Trained by Brad Cox, Juju’s Map will be ridden by Florent Geroux from post one. Breaking from the outside post 12 is Jim McIngvale’s Runup. A daughter of 2015 Breeders’ Cup Sprint (G1) winner Runhappy, the Laura Wohlers-trained Runup won the Sorority Stakes (G3) at Monmouth Park on Sept. 6 for her second victory in three starts. Runup will be ridden by Joseph Ramos. Trainer Kenny McPeek has won the Alcibiades five times. On Friday, he sends out Milam Farm’s Penny Saver, who broke her maiden by a widening 9 ½ lengths at Churchill Downs on Sept. 24. Brian Hernandez Jr. has the mount, breaking from post 10.

A “Win and You’re In” berth in the $2 million Breeders’ Cup Sprint (G1) will be awarded to the winner of the $250,000 Stoll Keenon Ogden Phoenix Stakes (G2), which will be run prior to the Darley Alcibiades. Paradise Farm Corp. and David Staudacher’s Special Reserve, a winner of four races this year, leads the seven-horse field. Trained by Mike Maker and ridden from post six by Joel Rosario, Special Reserve finished second in Keeneland’s Commonwealth Stakes (G3) in April, then won the Maryland Match Series Sprint Stakes (G3) at Pimlico, and the Iowa Sprint Stakes at Prairie Meadows, prior to finishing second in the Grade 1 Alfred G. Vanderbilt Handicap at Saratoga on July 31. Griffon Farms and Michelle Lovell’s homebred Just Might has won his last four races. Trained by Lovell, Just Might comes into the race off a frontrunning victory in the Louisville Thoroughbred Society Stakes at Churchill Downs on Sept. 18. Just Might will be ridden by Colby Hernandez from post four.

Saturday’s card at Keeneland is headlined by the Keeneland Turf Mile, which drew an outstanding field of 13 bidding for an automatic starting position in the $2 million FanDuel Breeders’ Cup Mile Presented by PDJF (G1). Order of Australia returns to Keeneland where last year he came off the also-eligible list to win the FanDuel Breeders’ Cup Mile at 70-1. Trained by Aidan O’Brien for owners Derrick Smith, Mrs. John Magnier, Michael Tabor, and Anne Marie O’Brien, Order of Australia won the Romanised Minstrel Stakes (G2) at The Curragh in Ireland in July, and was second in the prestigious Prix de Moulin de Longchamp (G1) in his most recent start on Sept. 5. John Velazquez has the mount from post 10.

Bonne Chance Farm and Stud R D I’s Ivar (BRZ) is the defending Turf Mile Champion, winning the 2020 race at 14-1. Trained by Pablo Lobo, Ivar finished fourth in last year’s FanDuel Breeders’ Cup Mile. In his lone start of 2021, Ivar finished sixth in the Old Forester Turf Classic (G1) at Churchill Downs on May 1. Joe Talamo has the mount, breaking from post six.  Trainer Mike Maker has entered three runners, including Skychai Racing and Sand Dollar Stable’s Somelikeithotbrown, who won the Dinner Party Stakes (G2) at Pimlico in May and has finished second in his last two starts, the Wise Dan (G2) at Churchill Downs and the WinStar Mint Million Stakes (G3) at Kentucky Downs on Sept. 6. Joe Ortiz will ride, breaking from post 13.

Saturday’s co-feature is the Claiborne Breeders’ Futurity for 2-year-olds at 1 1/16 miles, and the winner receives an invitation to the TVG Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Presented by Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance (G1). Among the 13 entered, Phoenix Thoroughbred’s Double Thunder has won three times in four stats for trainer Todd Pletcher, including the Bashford Manor (G3) at Churchill Downs and the Sapling Stakes at Monmouth Park on Sept. 5. L and N Racing and Winchell Thoroughbreds’ Stellar Tap broke his maiden at Saratoga on Aug. 7 and gave Steve Asmussen his 9,446th victory, setting the all-time mark for most wins by a trainer. Stellar Tap, ridden from post three by Ricardo Santana Jr., will try to improve upon his fifth-place finish as the even-money favorite in the “Win and You’re In”’ Iroquois Stakes (G3) at Churchill Downs on Sept. 18.

St. George Stable’s 5-year-old mare Letruska has had a sensational year, winning five of six races, and is expected to lead Sunday’s Juddmonte Spinster Stakes, which is a “Win and You’re In” for the Longines Breeders’ Cup Distaff (G1). Trained by Fausto Gutierrez, Letruska gained a free berth into the Breeders’ Cup Distaff when she captured the Ogden Phipps Stakes (G1) at Belmont Park in June. She also captured two more Breeders’ Cup Challenge races, taking the Fleur de Lis (G2) at Churchill Downs and the Personal Ensign (G1) at Saratoga. Juddmonte’s Bonny South finished just a half-length behind Letruska in the Personal Ensign. The 4-year-old filly won Keeneland’s Baird Doubledogdare Stakes (G3) in April.

Also on Sunday, the 1 1/16-mile Castle & Key Bourbon Stakes (G2) on turf will give the winner an automatic starting position into the $1 million Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf (G1). Among the expected starters is Silverton Hill’s Red Danger, who won the Global Tote Juvenile Sprint Stakes at Kentucky Downs on Sept. 9 for trainer Bryan Lynch, and Phoenix Thoroughbred’s Tiz the Bomb, winner of the Kentucky Downs Juvenile Mile Stakes on Sept. 6 for trainer Kenny McPeek.

 

ABOUT NBC SPORTS GROUP

NBC Sports Group serves sports fans 24/7 with premier live events, insightful studio shows, and compelling original programming. The sports media company consists of NBC Sports, NBC Olympics, NBCSN, Golf Channel, Olympic Channel: Home of Team USA, NBC Sports Regional Networks, NBC Sports Audio Network and NBC Sports Digital, which includes NBCSports.com, NBCOlympics.com,GolfChannel.com, the digital assets of the NBC Sports Regional Networks, NBC Sports EDGE, the NBC Sports Talk franchise, multiple apps, and two transactional sports businesses, GolfNow and SportsEngine, and two direct-to-consumer products – NBC Sports Gold and GolfPass. NBC Sports Group possesses an unparalleled collection of media rights agreements, partnering with some of the most prestigious sports properties in the world: the International Olympic Committee and United States Olympic and Paralympic Committee, the NFL, NASCAR, INDYCAR, PGA TOUR, The R&A, PGA of America, USGA, Churchill Downs, Premier League, Tour de France, French Open, and many more.

 

ABOUT AMERICA’S BEST RACING

America’s Best Racing is a multimedia fan development and awareness-building platform, initiated by The Jockey Club, designed to increase the profile and visibility of North America’s best Thoroughbred racing events with a primary focus on the sport’s lifestyle and competition. You can follow America’s Best Racing at AmericasBestRacing.net as well as on social media platforms Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, YouTube, Instagram, and Snapchat.

 

ABOUT BREEDERS’ CUP

Breeders’ Cup Limited administers the Breeders’ Cup World Championships, Thoroughbred horse racing’s year-end Championships, as well as the Breeders’ Cup Challenge qualifying series, which provides automatic starting positions into the Championships races. The Breeders’ Cup is also a founding member of the Thoroughbred Safety Coalition, an organization composed of industry leaders committed to advancing safety measures in Thoroughbred racing and improving the well-being of equine and human athletes.

The 2021 Breeders’ Cup World Championships, consisting of 14 Championship races, is scheduled to be held on November 5-6 at Del Mar racetrack in Del Mar, California. The event will be televised live by the NBC Sports Group. Breeders’ Cup press releases appear on the Breeders’ Cup website, breederscup.com. You can also follow the Breeders’ Cup on social media.

NBC SPORTS PRESENTS BREEDERS’ CUP CHALLENGE SERIES “WIN AND YOU’RE IN” RACES LIVE FROM KENTUCKY DOWNS TOMORROW, SATURDAY, SEPT. 11 AT 5 P.M. ET ON NBC

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FRANKLIN, Ky. (Sept. 10, 2021) ― The “Breeders’ Cup Challenge Series: Win and You’re In – presented by America’s Best Racing” comes to Kentucky Downs tomorrow, Saturday, Sept. 11 on NBC from 5-6 p.m., with live coverage of the $1 million FanDuel Turf Sprint Stakes (G3) and the $1 million Calumet Turf Cup Stakes (G2).

Saturday’s program marks the sixth telecast this year in the “Breeders’ Cup Challenge Series: Win and You’re In – presented by America’s Best Racing” on NBC and NBCSN from some of North America’s most iconic racetracks. The series leads to the 38th Breeders’ Cup World Championships at Del Mar racetrack in Del Mar, California, to be held Nov. 5-6 on NBC and NBCSN. The complete series TV schedule can be accessed here.

NBC Sports’ coverage will feature commentary and discussion from its International Broadcast Center in Stamford, Conn., led by host Ahmed Fareed, and analysts Randy Moss and Hall of Fame jockey Jerry Bailey, who won 15 Breeders’ Cup races including five victories in the Longines Breeders’ Cup Classic (G1). Reporter Britney Eurton and handicapper Matt Bernier will be on-site at Kentucky Downs.

The FanDuel Turf Sprint Stakes, to be run at 6 furlongs, gives the winner a free berth into the $1 million Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint (G1). The race is headlined by the outstanding 5-year-old mare Got Stormy, who is seeking her second Breeders’ Cup Challenge Series win this year. Owned by MyRacehorse and Spendthrift Farm, and trained by Mark Casse, Got Stormy secured a free berth into the $2 million FanDuel Breeders’ Cup Mile presented by PDJF (G1) when she defeated male rivals in the Fourstardave Handicap (G1) at Saratoga on Aug. 14. A 12-time winner, Got Stormy finished second in the 2019 Breeders’ Cup Mile and was fifth in last year’s Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint. Tyler Gaffalione will ride Got Stormy from post nine.

LRE Racing and JEH Racing Stable’s 5-year-old Casa Creed, trained by Bill Mott, already earned an automatic starting position into the Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint when he captured the Jackpocket Jaipur Stakes (G1) at Belmont Park on June 5. In his most recent start, Casa Creed finished third in the Fourstardave Handicap (G1) at Saratoga on Aug. 14. Ricardo Santana Jr. has the mount breaking from post seven. Breeze Easy’s 7-year-old gelding Imprimis won last year’s race by a neck and earned a free berth into the Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint. Trained by Joe Orseno, Imprimis got caught in traffic on the turn for home in the Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint, and finished 13th. This year, Imprimis won the Janus Stakes at Gulfstream Park in January, and was fourth in the Troy Stakes (G3) at Saratoga on Aug 6.

The past two winners of the Calumet Turf Cup Stakes ― Arklow and Zulu Alpha ― are among 12 horses entered for the 1 ½-mile race, with the winner gaining a free starting position into the $4 million Longines Breeders’ Cup Turf (G1), which will also be run at 1 ½ miles. Donegal Racing, Joseph Bulger and the Estate of Peter Coneway’s 7-year-old gelding Arklow won last year’s race by 1 ¼ lengths. Trained by Brad Cox, Arklow has one win in three starts this year, taking the Louisville Stakes (G3) at Churchill Downs on May 15 for his ninth career victory. Arklow will be ridden from post 5 by Florent Geroux. Michael Hui’s Zulu Alpha, won the 2019 Turf Cup by 1 ¾ lengths, and finished third behind Arklow in last year’s renewal. A leg injury prevented Zulu Alpha from running in last year’s Breeders’ Cup. This year, the 8-year-old gelding, trained by Mike Maker, has been winless in two starts, registering a seventh-place finish last time out in the Mr. D. Stakes (G1) at Arlington Park. Ricardo Santana Jr. rides Zulu Alpha from post 11.

Calumet Farm’s homebred Channel Cat has a Grade 1 victory this year, taking the Man o’ War Stakes at Belmont Park on May 8. Channel Cat, a 6-year-old son of 2007 Breeders’ Cup Turf winner English Channel, is trained by Jack Sisterson, and will be ridden from post three by John Velazquez.

ABOUT NBC SPORTS GROUP

NBC Sports Group serves sports fans 24/7 with premier live events, insightful studio shows, and compelling original programming. The sports media company consists of NBC Sports, NBC Olympics, NBCSN, Golf Channel, Olympic Channel: Home of Team USA, NBC Sports Regional Networks, NBC Sports Audio Network and NBC Sports Digital, which includes NBCSports.com, NBCOlympics.com,GolfChannel.com, the digital assets of the NBC Sports Regional Networks, NBC Sports EDGE, the NBC Sports Talk franchise, multiple apps, and two transactional sports businesses, GolfNow and SportsEngine, and two direct-to-consumer products – NBC Sports Gold and GolfPass. NBC Sports Group possesses an unparalleled collection of media rights agreements, partnering with some of the most prestigious sports properties in the world: the International Olympic Committee and United States Olympic and Paralympic Committee, the NFL, NASCAR, INDYCAR, PGA TOUR, The R&A, PGA of America, USGA, Churchill Downs, Premier League, Tour de France, French Open, and many more.

 

ABOUT AMERICA’S BEST RACING

America’s Best Racing is a multimedia fan development and awareness-building platform, initiated by The Jockey Club, designed to increase the profile and visibility of North America’s best Thoroughbred racing events with a primary focus on the sport’s lifestyle and competition. You can follow America’s Best Racing at AmericasBestRacing.net as well as on social media platforms Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, YouTube, Instagram, and Snapchat.

 

ABOUT BREEDERS’ CUP

Breeders’ Cup Limited administers the Breeders’ Cup World Championships, Thoroughbred horse racing’s year-end Championships, as well as the Breeders’ Cup Challenge qualifying series, which provides automatic starting positions into the Championships races. The Breeders’ Cup is also a founding member of the Thoroughbred Safety Coalition, an organization composed of industry leaders committed to advancing safety measures in Thoroughbred racing and improving the well-being of equine and human athletes.

The 2021 Breeders’ Cup World Championships, consisting of 14 Championship races, is scheduled to be held on November 5-6 at Del Mar racetrack in Del Mar, California. The event will be televised live by the NBC Sports Group. Breeders’ Cup press releases appear on the Breeders’ Cup website, breederscup.com. You can also follow the Breeders’ Cup on social media.

NBC SPORTS PRESENTS BREEDERS’ CUP CHALLENGE SERIES “WIN AND YOU’RE IN” RACES LIVE FROM SARATOGA THIS SATURDAY, SEPT. 4 AT 6 P.M. ET ON NBCSN

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Automatic Berths on the Line for Breeders’ Cup World Championships in Saturday’s Jockey Club Gold Cup and Flower Bowl

SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. (Sept. 2, 2021) ― The “Breeders’ Cup Challenge Series: Win and You’re In – presented by America’s Best Racing” returns this Saturday, Sept. 4 on NBCSN from 6-7 p.m. ET from Saratoga Race Course with live coverage of the $1 million Jockey Club Gold Cup (G1) and the $600,000 Flower Bowl (G1).

Saturday’s program marks the fifth telecast this year in the “Breeders’ Cup Challenge Series: Win and You’re In – presented by America’s Best Racing” on NBC and NBCSN from some of North America’s most iconic racetracks. The series leads to the 38th Breeders’ Cup World Championships at Del Mar racetrack in Del Mar, California, to be held Nov. 5-6 on NBC and NBCSN. The complete series TV schedule can be accessed here.

NBC Sports’ coverage will feature commentary and discussion from its International Broadcast Center in Stamford, Conn., led by host Britney Eurton, and analysts Randy Moss and Hall of Fame jockey Jerry Bailey, who won 15 Breeders’ Cup races including five victories in the Longines Breeders’ Cup Classic (G1). Reporter Laffit Pincay and handicapper Matt Bernier will be on-site at Saratoga.

The Jockey Club Gold Cup, which had been run at Belmont Park and Aqueduct Racetrack since 1919, and the Flower Bowl, which had been held at Belmont since 1978, will be run at historic Saratoga Race Course for the first time. The Jockey Club Gold Cup winner will gain an automatic berth into the $6 million Longines Breeders’ Cup Classic, and the winner of the Flower Bowl will earn a free berth into the $2 million Maker’s Mark Breeders’ Cup Filly & Mare Turf.

Run at 1 ¼ miles, the Jockey Club Gold Cup drew a six-horse field and is led by Wertheimer and Frere’s Happy Saver, who won his first five races before finishing third in the Suburban Stakes (G2) at Belmont Park in his last start on July 3. The 4-year-old son of Super Saver concluded a 4-for-4 first season of racing when he won the Jockey Club Gold Cup at Belmont last year for trainer Todd Pletcher, who opted to bypass the Longines Breeders’ Cup Classic at Keeneland and point to a 2021 campaign.

George Hall and SportBLX Thoroughbred Corp.’s Max Player upset Happy Saver in the Suburban and received a free berth into the Longines Breeders’ Cup Classic. Trained by Steve Asmussen, the 4-year-old Max Player, who ended a six-race losing streak in the Suburban, is 3-for-10 lifetime.

Don Alberto Stable’s Forza Di Oro, a winner four times in six starts, easily captured his lone start of the year in a local allowance optional claiming race on July 21 for trainer Bill Mott. A son of 2004 Breeders’ Cup Sprint winner Speightstown, Forza Di Oro won Aqueduct’s Discovery Stakes (G3) in November before going on an extended layoff. The Estate of James J. Coleman Jr.’s Chess Chief won the New Orleans Classic Stakes (G2) at the Fair Grounds in New Orleans in March for trainer Dallas Stewart.

The Flower Bowl, run at the Maker’s Mark Breeders’ Cup Filly & Mare Turf distance of 1 3/8 miles, is headlined by George Krikorian’s War Like Goddess. The 4-year-old daughter of 2007 Breeders’ Cup Turf winner English Channel has won two straight graded stakes at 1 ½ miles for trainer Bill Mott, and also won the Orchid Stakes (G3) at Gulfstream Park in March at 1 3/8 miles. War Like Goddess is 5-for-6 lifetime and enters off an easy win in the Aug. 7 Glens Falls Stakes (G2) at Saratoga, in which she unleashed a devastating turn of foot that saw her go from last-to-first while looping the field through the far turn.

Trainer Chad Brown has won the Flower Bowl six times and will look to add to that mark with Peter Brant’s My Sister Nat (FR) and Alpha Delta Stables Great Island. My Sister Nat finished  second, defeated by a head, in the Flower Bowl last year before running ninth in the Maker’s Mark Breeders’ Cup Filly & Mare Turf at Keeneland. Seeking her first win this year, My Sister Nat finished second in the Glens Falls. Great Island is two for three this year, winning the Grade 3 WinStar Matchmaker Stakes at Monmouth Park in her most recent start on July 17. Brant also has an international starter in the race with American Bridge (GB). Trained by Jean-Claude Rouget, American Bridge won the 1 1 /4-mile Premio del Giubileo (G3) by 2 ¼ lengths at Milan on June 27.

 

ABOUT NBC SPORTS GROUP

NBC Sports Group serves sports fans 24/7 with premier live events, insightful studio shows, and compelling original programming. The sports media company consists of NBC Sports, NBC Olympics, NBCSN, Golf Channel, Olympic Channel: Home of Team USA, NBC Sports Regional Networks, NBC Sports Audio Network and NBC Sports Digital, which includes NBCSports.com, NBCOlympics.com,GolfChannel.com, the digital assets of the NBC Sports Regional Networks, NBC Sports EDGE, the NBC Sports Talk franchise, multiple apps, and two transactional sports businesses, GolfNow and SportsEngine, and two direct-to-consumer products – NBC Sports Gold and GolfPass. NBC Sports Group possesses an unparalleled collection of media rights agreements, partnering with some of the most prestigious sports properties in the world: the International Olympic Committee and United States Olympic and Paralympic Committee, the NFL, NASCAR, INDYCAR, PGA TOUR, The R&A, PGA of America, USGA, Churchill Downs, Premier League, Tour de France, French Open, and many more.

 

ABOUT AMERICA’S BEST RACING

America’s Best Racing is a multimedia fan development and awareness-building platform, initiated by The Jockey Club, designed to increase the profile and visibility of North America’s best Thoroughbred racing events with a primary focus on the sport’s lifestyle and competition. You can follow America’s Best Racing at AmericasBestRacing.net as well as on social media platforms Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, YouTube, Instagram, and Snapchat.

 

ABOUT BREEDERS’ CUP

Breeders’ Cup Limited administers the Breeders’ Cup World Championships, Thoroughbred horse racing’s year-end Championships, as well as the Breeders’ Cup Challenge qualifying series, which provides automatic starting positions into the Championships races. The Breeders’ Cup is also a founding member of the Thoroughbred Safety Coalition, an organization composed of industry leaders committed to advancing safety measures in Thoroughbred racing and improving the well-being of equine and human athletes.

The 2021 Breeders’ Cup World Championships, consisting of 14 Championship races, is scheduled to be held on November 5-6 at Del Mar racetrack in Del Mar, California. The event will be televised live by the NBC Sports Group. Breeders’ Cup press releases appear on the Breeders’ Cup website, breederscup.com. You can also follow the Breeders’ Cup on social media.

BREEDERS’ CUP CHALLENGE SERIES “WIN AND YOU’RE IN” RACING CONTINUES THIS SATURDAY AT 5 P.M. ET ON NBC WITH TVG.COM HASKELL STAKES LIVE FROM MONMOUTH PARK

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OCEANPORT, N.J. (July 15, 2021) — Hot Rod Charlie, a hard-fought second in the Belmont Stakes (G1), headlines a seven-horse field of 3-year-olds set for Saturday’s 1 1/8-mile, $1 million TVG.com Haskell Stakes (G1) live on NBC beginning at 5 p.m. ET. The winner of the TVG.com Haskell Stakes gains a  “Win and You’re In” berth into the $6 million Longines Breeders’ Cup Classic (G1) through the Breeders’ Cup Challenge Series.

The Haskell Stakes broadcast is the fourth program this year in the “Breeders’ Cup Challenge Series: Win and You’re In – presented by America’s Best Racing” on NBC and NBCSN from some of North America’s most iconic racetracks. The series leads to the 38th Breeders’ Cup World Championships at Del Mar racetrack in Del Mar, California, to be held Nov. 5-6 and televised live on NBC and NBCSN. The complete series TV schedule can be accessed here.

The one-hour broadcast also will include the $500,000 United Nations Stakes (G1) on turf.

NBC Sports’ coverage will feature commentary and discussion on-site at Monmouth led by host Britney Eurton, analysts Randy Moss and Hall of Fame jockey Jerry Bailey, who won 15 Breeders’ Cup races including five victories in the Longines Breeders’ Cup Classic, reporter Laffit Pincay, and handicapper/reporter Eddie Olczyk.

Hot Rod Charlie, owned by Boat Racing, Gainesway Stable, Roadrunner Racing, and William Strauss, and trained by Doug O’Neill, is the 6-5 morning line favorite in the 54th TVG.com Haskell Stakes. Winner of the Louisiana Derby (G2) at the Fair Grounds in New Orleans in March, Hot Rod Charlie finished third in the Kentucky Derby (G1), losing by just a little over 1-length. In the most exciting finish of this year’s Triple Crown races, Hot Rod Charlie battled Essential Quality on even terms through the stretch of the Belmont Stakes in a gallant effort and finished 1 ¼ lengths behind the winner. Hot Rod Charlie will be ridden by Flavien Prat, who won this year’s Preakness Stakes on Rombauer, from post position four.

Two other second-place finishers from the Triple Crown races, Juddmonte’s Mandaloun and Winchell Thoroughbreds’ Midnight Bourbon, should also figure prominently in the Haskell.  Mandaloun, the 2-1 second choice, trained by Brad Cox, was forwardly placed in the Kentucky Derby and finished just a half-length behind Medina Spirit. He resurfaced next on June 13 in the 1 1/16-mile TVG.com Pegasus Stakes. After a poor start, Mandaloun rallied to win by a neck. Florent Geroux has the mount on Mandaloun, breaking from post three.

Hall of Famer Steve Asmussen, trainer of Midnight Bourbon, has enjoyed great success at Monmouth Park. In 2007, Asmussen saddled Curlin to a third-place finish in the Haskell, but came back to Monmouth in the fall and won the Breeders’ Cup Classic, clinching the Horse of the Year title. Two years later, the Asmussen-trained filly Rachel Alexandra captured the Haskell by 6 lengths and was later voted the 2009 Horse of the Year.

On Saturday, Midnight Bourbon, ridden by Paco Lopez from post six, is seeking his second win of the year since he captured the Lecomte Stakes (G3) at the Fair Grounds in January. Following a sixth-place finish in the Kentucky Derby, Midnight Bourbon delivered a solid performance in the Preakness Stakes (G1), taking the lead in the stretch before being overtaken by Rombauer and losing by 3 ½ lengths.

An intriguing starter now joining the 3-year-old scene is Spendthrift Farm’s Following Sea. Trained by Hall of Famer Todd Pletcher, Following Sea, the 3-1 third choice, broke his maiden in a 6-furlong race at Oaklawn Park on April 10 by 5 ¾ lengths. He started next in a 6 ½-furlong allowance race at Belmont Park on June 3 and rolled to victory by 6 ½ lengths. Joel Rosario will ride Following Sea from post one.

The rest of the field is comprised of locally-based runners Antigravity (David Cohen, post two); Pickin Time (Nik Juarez, post five), and Basso (Isaac Castillo, post seven).

The 1 3/8-mile United Nations Stakes, which drew 10 starters, is led by the Cox-trained 7-year-old Arklow, who finished fourth in last year’s race. Owned by Donegal Racing, Joseph Bulger, and the Estate of Peter Coneway, Arklow comes into this year’s renewal off a win in the Louisville Stakes (G3) at Churchill Downs on May 15. Michael Dubb, Madaket Stables, Wonder Stables, and Michael J. Caruso’s Tribhuvan (FR), trained by Chad Brown, has made two starts this year at Belmont Park. He won the Fort Marcy Stakes (G2) on May 1, and finished second in the Resorts World Casino Manhattan Stakes (G1) on June 5.

 

ABOUT NBC SPORTS GROUP

NBC Sports Group serves sports fans 24/7 with premier live events, insightful studio shows, and compelling original programming. The sports media company consists of NBC Sports, NBC Olympics, NBCSN, Golf Channel, Olympic Channel: Home of Team USA, NBC Sports Regional Networks, NBC Sports Radio and NBC Sports Digital, which includes NBCSports.com, NBCOlympics.com, GolfChannel.com, the digital assets of the NBC Sports Regional Networks, Rotoworld, the NBC Sports Talk franchise, multiple apps, and two transactional sports businesses, GolfNow and SportsEngine. NBC Sports Group possesses an unparalleled collection of television rights agreements, partnering with some of the most prestigious sports properties in the world: The International Olympic Committee and United States Olympic Committee, the NFL, NHL, NASCAR, INDYCAR, PGA TOUR, The R&A, PGA of America, Churchill Downs, Premier League, Tour de France, French Open, and many more.

ABOUT AMERICA’S BEST RACING

America’s Best Racing is a multimedia fan development and awareness-building platform, initiated by The Jockey Club, designed to increase the profile and visibility of North America’s best Thoroughbred racing events with a primary focus on the sport’s lifestyle and competition. You can follow America’s Best Racing at AmericasBestRacing.net as well as on social media platforms Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, YouTube, Instagram, and Snapchat.

ABOUT BREEDERS’ CUP

The Breeders’ Cup administers the Breeders’ Cup World Championships, Thoroughbred horse racing’s year-end Championships, as well as the Breeders’ Cup Challenge qualifying series, which provides automatic starting positions into the Championships races. The Breeders’ Cup is also a founding member of the Thoroughbred Safety Coalition, an organization composed of industry leaders committed to advancing safety measures in Thoroughbred racing and improving the well-being of equine and human athletes.

The 2021 Breeders’ Cup World Championships, consisting of 14 Championship races, is scheduled to be held on November 5-6 at Del Mar racetrack in Del Mar, California. The event will be televised live by the NBC Sports Group. Breeders’ Cup press releases appear on the Breeders’ Cup website, breederscup.com. You can also follow the Breeders’ Cup on social media.

BREEDERS’ CUP CHALLENGE SERIES “WIN AND YOU’RE IN” RACING RETURNS THIS SATURDAY AT 5 P.M. ET ON NBC & SUNDAY AT 5 P.M. ET ON NBCSN LIVE FROM BELMONT PARK

By

STAMFORD, Conn. – July 1, 2021 – The “Breeders’ Cup Challenge Series: Win and Your In – presented by America’s Best Racing” returns to Belmont Park in Elmont, N.Y., with two programs of top flight Thoroughbred racing this weekend. On Saturday, July 3, at 5 p.m. ET, NBC will broadcast live the $400,000 Suburban (G2), led by Dubai World Cup winner Mystic Guide, with the race winner earning an automatic berth into the $6 million Longines Breeders’ Cup Classic (G1). On Sunday, July 4, at 5 p.m. ET, multiple graded-stakes winning sprinter Firenze Fire headlines the $250,000 John A. Nerud Stakes (G2), which offers a “Win and You’re In” starting position into the $2 million Breeders’ Cup Sprint (G1).

The two weekend programs mark the second and third telecasts this year in the “Breeders’ Cup Challenge Series: Win and You’re In – presented by America’s Best Racing” on NBC and NBCSN from some of North America’s most iconic racetracks. The series leads to the 38th Breeders’ Cup World Championships at Del Mar racetrack in Del Mar, California, to be held  Nov. 5-6 on NBC and NBCSN. The complete series TV schedule can be accessed here.

NBC Sports’ coverage of both programs will feature commentary and discussion led by host Ahmed Fareed and analysts Randy Moss and Hall of Fame jockey Jerry Bailey, who won 15 Breeders’ Cup races, including five victories in the Breeders’ Cup Classic (G1), from NBC Sports Group’s International Broadcast Center in Stamford, Conn. Reporters Britney Eurton and Matt Bernier will be on-site at Belmont Park.

In the 1 ¼-mile Suburban, Godolphin’s Mystic Guide, trained by Mike Stidham and ridden by Luis Saez, has won both his starts this year. A 4-year-old son of 2004 Breeders’ Cup Classic winner Ghostzapper, Mystic Guide captured the Razorback Handicap (G3) at Oaklawn Park in March and then took the $12 million Dubai World Cup at Meydan in the United Arab Emirates on March 27, which was his most recent start.

Among the challengers facing Mystic Guide is the Todd-Pletcher trained 4-year-old Happy Saver, who is undefeated in five starts. A son of 2010 Kentucky Derby winner Super Saver, Happy Saver, ridden by Irad Oritz Jr., has won three races at Belmont, including last year’s 1 ¼-mile Jockey Club Gold Cup (G1). Pletcher also has entered Repole Stable and Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners’ 5-year-old Moretti, who finished second in last year’s Suburban. Moretti finished third in the Brooklyn Stakes (G3) on June 5 in his first start of the year. Flavien Prat will ride Moretti.

Owner and trainer Uriah St. Lewis is starting the 4-year-old Informative, who came from last in a 10-horse field to win the Salvator Mile (G3) at 79-1 on June 12 at Monmouth Park. Manny Franco has the mount on Informative.

Mr. Amore Stable’s 6-year-old Firenze Fire tops Sunday’s John A. Nerud Stakes at 7 furlongs. Trained by Kelly Breen, Firenze Fire has won 14 races in 33 starts, and nine of those victories were in graded stakes. A son of Poseiden’s Warrior, Firenze has two wins at Belmont this year, taking the 6-furlong Runhappy Stakes on May 8 and the 6 ½-furlong True North Stakes (G2) on June 4.

Red Oak Stable and Madaket Stables’ 5-year-old Mind Control is seeking his first win this year for new trainer Todd Pletcher. A seven-time winner, Mind Control finished second in the 7-furlong Carter Handicap (G1) at Aqueduct on April 3 and seventh in the 7-furlong Churchill Downs Stakes on May 1.

The 6-year-old American Power, owned by Sanford Goldfarb, Irwin Goldfarb and the Estate of Ira Davis, finished third in the True North. Trained by Rob Atras, American Power has won two of four starts this year, both at 7 furlongs, taking the Toboggan Stakes (G3) on Jan. 30 at Aqueduct and the Caixa Electronica, also at Aqueduct, on March 27.

NBC SPORTS GROUP AND HORSE RACING: NBC Sports Group is the exclusive home to the most important and prestigious events in horse racing, including the Triple Crown, the Breeders’ Cup World Championships, Royal Ascot, and Pegasus World Cup Invitational Series. NBC has been the exclusive home of the Kentucky Derby and the Preakness Stakes since 2001, and the Belmont Stakes since 2011, when NBC Sports Group reassembled the Triple Crown.

ABOUT AMERICA’S BEST RACING

America’s Best Racing is a multimedia fan development and awareness-building platform, initiated by The Jockey Club, designed to increase the profile and visibility of North America’s best Thoroughbred racing events with a primary focus on the sport’s lifestyle and competition. You can follow America’s Best Racing at AmericasBestRacing.net as well as on social media platforms Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, YouTube, Instagram, and Snapchat.

ABOUT BREEDERS’ CUP

The Breeders’ Cup administers the Breeders’ Cup World Championships, Thoroughbred horse racing’s year-end Championships, as well as the Breeders’ Cup Challenge qualifying series, which provides automatic starting positions into the Championships races. The Breeders’ Cup is also a founding member of the Thoroughbred Safety Coalition, an organization composed of industry leaders committed to advancing safety measures in Thoroughbred racing and improving the well-being of equine and human athletes.

The 2021 Breeders’ Cup World Championships, consisting of 14 Championship races, is scheduled to be held on November 5-6 at Del Mar racetrack in Del Mar, California. The event will be televised live by the NBC Sports Group. Breeders’ Cup press releases appear on the Breeders’ Cup website, breederscup.com. You can also follow the Breeders’ Cup on social media.

–NBC SPORTS–

NBC SPORTS PRESENTS DAILY LIVE COVERAGE OF THE PRESTIGIOUS ROYAL ASCOT HORSE RACING MEET, BEGINNING TOMORROW, TUES., JUNE 15 AT 8:30 A.M. ET ON NBCSN

By

Final Day of Royal Ascot This Saturday, June 19 at 9 a.m. ET on NBC & 11 a.m. ET on CNBC

Nearly 25 Hours of Coverage Over Five Days of Royal Meeting

Coverage Streamed Live on NBCSports.com and the NBC Sports app

STAMFORD, Conn. – June 14, 2021 – NBC Sports presents daily live coverage of the Royal Meeting in Ascot, England, beginning tomorrow, Tuesday, June 15, at 8:30 a.m. ET on NBCSN. Daily telecasts of the full five-day Royal Meeting will air on NBCSN through Friday, June 18, and conclude this Saturday, June 19 on NBC (9 a.m. ET) and CNBC (11 a.m. ET).

In total, NBC Sports will present nearly 25 hours of coverage over the five days.

Royal Ascot is Britain’s most valuable race meeting and features more than 30 races, including eight at the world championship “Group One” level. Highlighting this year’s American contingent are Extravagant Kid and Maven, a son of Triple Crown-winner American Pharoah, who are both expected to run in tomorrow’s G1 King’s Stand Stakes.

Throughout the week, coverage of The Royal Meeting features four live “Breeders’ Cup Challenge Series – Win and You’re In” races: The Queen Anne Stakes (Tues., June 15), Prince of Wales’s Stakes (Wed., June 16), The Norfolk Stakes (Thurs., June 17), and The Diamond Jubilee Stakes (Sat., Jun 19).

The Royal Meeting is the center of the British social season and a pivotal week in the calendar of the Royal Family. Queen Elizabeth II has attended Royal Ascot every year since 1945, except for 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

NBC Sports’ Nick Luck will host Saturday’s coverage.

Following is NBC Sports’ schedule for the Royal Ascot this week:

Date Time (ET) Network
Tues., June 15 8:30 a.m. NBCSN
Wed., June 16 8:30 a.m. NBCSN
Thurs., June 17 8:30 a.m. NBCSN
Fri., June 18 8:30 a.m. NBCSN
Sat., June 19 9 a.m. NBC
Sat., June 19 11 a.m. CNBC

 

ROYAL ASCOT COVERAGE ON NBCSPORTS.COM & THE NBC SPORTS APP

NBCSports.com and the NBC Sports app will stream live coverage to desktops, mobile, tablets, and connected TVs via “TV Everywhere,” giving consumers additional value to their subscription service, and making high-quality content available to MVPD customers both in and out of the home and on multiple platforms. The full HD-quality video stream will come directly from NBC’s broadcasts. NBCSports.com and the NBC Sports app are available on the iTunes App Store, Google Play, Windows Store, Roku Channel Store, Apple TV, Amazon Fire, Samsung Smart TVs, Xbox, and Chromecast. NBC Sports.com and the NBC Sports app will provide a full race replay of the Preakness Stakes.

NBC SPORTS GROUP AND HORSE RACING: NBC Sports Group is the exclusive home to the most important and prestigious events in horse racing, including the Triple Crown, the Breeders’ Cup World Championships, Royal Ascot, and Pegasus World Cup Invitational Series. NBC has been the exclusive home of the Kentucky Derby and the Preakness Stakes since 2001, and the Belmont Stakes since 2011, when NBC Sports Group reassembled the Triple Crown.

–NBC SPORTS–

NBC SPORTS PRESENTS THE BELMONT STAKES, THE FINAL JEWEL OF THE TRIPLE CROWN, FEATURING PREAKNESS STAKES WINNER ROMBAUER, THIS SAT., JUNE 5 LIVE AT 5 P.M. ET ON NBC

By

Coverage from Belmont Park Begins This Friday at 5 p.m. ET on NBCSN & Continues Saturday at 3 p.m. ET on NBCSN

Saturday’s Coverage Includes Features on Rombauer Jockey John Velazquez and Trainer Michael McCarthy

NBC Sports Presents Two “Breeders’ Cup Challenge Series – Win and You’re In” Races on Saturday

Game 4 of Boston Bruins-New York Islanders NHL Stanley Cup Playoff Series Follows Belmont Stakes at 7:15 p.m. ET on NBC

STAMFORD, Conn. – June 2, 2021 – NBC Sports’ Triple Crown horse racing concludes this weekend with live coverage of the 153rd Belmont Stakes this Saturday, June 5 at 5 p.m. ET on NBC featuring Preakness winner Rombauer (3-1) and 2-1 morning line favorite Essential Quality.

Game 4 of the Second Round of the NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs between the New York Islanders and the Boston Bruins will air on NBC immediately following the Belmont Stakes. The Islanders will host the Bruins at Nassau Coliseum, which is less than eight miles away from Belmont Park.

The Belmont Stakes is referred to as the “Test of the Champion” for its 1.5-mile distance, the longest of the three Triple Crown races. Essential Quality is one of five horses who competed in the Kentucky Derby that will run in Saturday’s Belmont Stakes: Hot Rod Charlie (7-2), Known Agenda (6-1), Bourbonic (15-1) and Rock Your World (9-2).

Coverage from Belmont Park begins this Friday, June 4, at 5 p.m. ET on NBCSN and continues Saturday at 3 p.m. ET on NBCSN with two “Breeders’ Cup Challenge Series – Win and You’re In” races. Over the two days, NBC Sports will cover seven races live.

Highlights of NBC Sports’ Belmont Stakes coverage include:

    • Seven live races on Friday and Saturday (two in the NBC Belmont Stakes show)
    • A feature on Rombauer jockey John Velazquez, who won this year’s Kentucky Derby atop Medina Spirit and has won two career Belmont Stakes (2007, 2012)
    • A feature on Rombauer trainer Michael McCarthy, who won his first career Triple Crown race at this year’s Preakness Stakes
    • On Saturday, NBC Sports presents two races in the “Breeders’ Cup Challenge Series – Win and You’re In,” including the Hill ‘N’ Dale Metropolitan Handicap and the Ogden Phipps Handicap.

 

COMMENTATORS:  NBC Sports’ coverage of the Belmont Stakes features host Mike Tirico; analysts Randy Moss and Hall of Fame jockey Jerry Bailey, a two-time Belmont Stakes winner; insights analyst Steve Kornacki, who correctly picked Media Spirit as this year’s Kentucky Derby winner; host/reporter Ahmed Fareed; reporters Donna Brothers, Britney Eurton, Laffit Pincay III, and Kenny Rice; and race caller Larry Collmus. Reporter/handicapper Eddie Olczyk will join coverage from Las Vegas, where he’s calling the Colorado Avalanche-Vegas Golden Knights Stanley Cup Playoff series.

The Belmont Stakes is produced by Lindsay Schanzer and is directed by Sunday Night Football and NBC Sports’ horse racing director Drew Esocoff. The coordinating producer of NBC’s horse racing coverage is Rob Hyland. Executive producer and president, production, NBC Sports and NBCSN is Sam Flood.

BELMONT STAKES
Date Time Event Network
Fri., June 4 5 p.m. Belmont Stakes Access NBCSN
Sat., June 5 3 p.m. Belmont Stakes Prep NBCSN
Sat., June 5 5 p.m. Belmont Stakes NBC

 

PREAKNESS STAKES COVERAGE ON NBCSPORTS.COM & THE NBC SPORTS APP

NBCSports.com and the NBC Sports app will stream live coverage to desktops, mobile, tablets, and connected TVs via “TV Everywhere,” giving consumers additional value to their subscription service, and making high-quality content available to MVPD customers both in and out of the home and on multiple platforms. The full HD-quality video stream will come directly from NBC’s broadcasts. NBCSports.com and the NBC Sports app are available on the iTunes App Store, Google Play, Windows Store, Roku Channel Store, Apple TV, Amazon Fire, Samsung Smart TVs, Xbox, and Chromecast. NBC Sports.com and the NBC Sports app will provide a full race replay of the Preakness Stakes.

NBC SPORTS AUDIO BELMONT STAKES COVERAGE

In partnership with Horse Racing Radio Network (HRRN), NBC Sports Audio will present live Belmont Stakes coverage beginning Saturday, June 5 at 5 p.m. ET featuring host Mike Penna and analysts Kurt Becker, Tom Leach, and Anthony Stabile. The broadcast will include a simulcast of the live race call by NBC Sports’ Larry Collmus. This is the seventh consecutive year HRRN and NBC Sports have teamed to produce radio coverage of the Triple Crown, which will be available throughout North America on NBC Sports Audio channel on SiriusXM channel 211 along with terrestrial affiliates throughout the United States.  Live streaming and a listing of affiliates can also be accessed via the HRRN website, www.horseracingradio.net. HRRN is available on SiriusXM channels 209 and 201.

NBC SPORTS GROUP AND HORSE RACING: NBC Sports Group is the exclusive home to the most important and prestigious events in horse racing, including the Triple Crown, the Breeders’ Cup World Championships, Royal Ascot, and Pegasus World Cup Invitational Series. NBC has been the exclusive home of the Kentucky Derby and the Preakness Stakes since 2001, and the Belmont Stakes since 2011, when NBC Sports Group reassembled the Triple Crown.

–NBC SPORTS–

NBC SPORTS’ PREAKNESS STAKES IS MOST-WATCHED SINCE 2018 & LEADS INTO NBC SPORTS’ MOST-WATCHED NHL STANLEY CUP PLAYOFF FIRST-ROUND OPENER EVER

By

NBC’s Preakness Stakes Coverage Peaked at 8.6 Million Viewers as Rombauer Crossed Finish Line

Bruins-Capitals Overtime Thriller on NBC Registers Total Audience Delivery of 2.31 Million Viewers, Network’s Most-Watched First Round Game 1 on Record; Playoffs Continue with Three Games Tonight    

The Belmont Stakes is Sat., June 5 at 5 p.m. ET on NBC

STAMFORD, Conn. – May 18, 2021 – NBC Sports’ Saturday late afternoon and evening coverage of the 146th Preakness Stakes on NBC followed by the opening game of the NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs delivered a pair of viewership milestones.

The 146th Preakness Stakes averaged a Total Audience Delivery (TAD) of 7.0 million viewers on Saturday – marking the most-watched broadcast of the event since Triple Crown-winner Justify’s victory in 2018, according to official national data provided by Nielsen and digital data from Adobe Analytics. The 2021 Preakness Stakes TAD nearly tripled last year’s viewership (2.4 million viewers on Oct. 3, 2020) and is up 29% from the last Preakness Stakes held in May (5.4 million on May 18, 2019).

The Preakness Stakes, which peaked at 8.6 million NBC-TV viewers from 6:45-7 p.m. ET as Rombauer ran to victory, led into the Boston Bruins-Washington Capitals opening game of the NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs.

The Capitals’ thrilling 3-2 overtime victory registered a TAD of 2.31 million viewers, ranking as the most-watched Game 1 on record in the first round of the NHL Playoffs since 1995 (regionalized game window on FOX). The game broadcast peaked with 3.14 million TV-only viewers.

Caps-Bruins also ranks as the most-watched game at any point in a First-Round series since Game 6 of the Penguins-Flyers in 2018 (2.4 million on April 22, 2018). NHL Stanley Cup Playoff coverage continues tonight on the networks of NBCUniversal.

NBC presents The 153rd Belmont Stakes on Saturday, June 5 at 5 p.m. ET, with coverage beginning at 3 p.m. ET on NBCSN.

TOP METERED MARKETS FOR 2021 PREAKNESS STAKES (Race Portion)

1. Baltimore 13.8/37
2. Ft. Myers 9.8/20
3. Louisville 9.3/20
4. West Palm Beach 8.9/21
5. Buffalo 8.7/20
6. Knoxville 7.6/14
7. Providence 7.4/17
T8. Indianapolis 7.0/18
T8. Washington, DC 7.0/20
T10. Austin 6.8/20
T10. Pittsburgh 6.8/17

 

TOP METERED MARKETS FOR BRUINS-CAPITALS GAME 1

1. Boston 9.2/21
2. Providence 8.9/18
3. Ft. Myers 4.2/8
4. Pittsburgh 3.9/8
5. Baltimore 3.7/9
6. Washington, DC 3.4/9
7. Buffalo 3.1/6
8. Las Vegas 2.8/7
9. Tampa 2.7/6
10. West Palm Beach 2.5/5

 

–NBC SPORTS–

KENTUCKY DERBY WINNER MEDINA SPIRIT CONTINUES TRIPLE CROWN QUEST AS NBC SPORTS PRESENTS 146th PREAKNESS STAKES THIS SAT., MAY 15 AT 5 P.M. ET ON NBC

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Coverage from Pimlico Begins This Friday at 5 p.m. ET on NBCSN & Continues Saturday at 2 p.m. ET on NBCSN

In-Depth Coverage of Medina Spirit Story, Including Breeding of a $1,000 Horse & Impact of Failed Drug Test on Bob Baffert

Music Sensation 2 Chainz Headlines the Infield at Pimlico

First Game of NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs Immediately After Preakness on NBC as Washington Capitals Host Boston Bruins

STAMFORD, Conn. – May 12, 2021 – NBC Sports’ Triple Crown horse racing returns this weekend with live coverage of the 146th Preakness Stakes this Saturday, May 15, at 5 p.m. ET on NBC as Kentucky Derby winner Medina Spirit, the 9-5 morning line favorite, attempts the next step in his Triple Crown quest.

Game 1 of the First Round of the NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs between the Washington Capitals and the Boston Bruins will air on NBC immediately following the Preakness Stakes.

Coverage from Pimlico Race Course in Baltimore, Md., begins this Friday, May 14, at 5 p.m. ET on NBCSN with the 97th running of the Black-Eyed Susan Stakes, and continues Saturday at 2 p.m. ET on NBCSN. Over the two days, NBC Sports will cover nine races live.

On Saturday, NBC Sports will cover all angles of the Medina Spirit story, including:

    • The impact of the recent news on Hall of Fame trainer Bob Baffert, who will not travel to Baltimore for Saturday’s race
    • Medina Spirit, who was first bought for $1,000 as a yearling and then purchased for $35,000 as a two-year-old, and gave Baffert his seventh career Kentucky Derby win, the most ever by a trainer
      • Baffert also trains Concert Tour (5-2), whose most recent win came in the March 13 Rebel (G2) at Oaklawn
    • Feature on Medina Spirit breeder Gail Rice
    • A Tim Layden essay on all that has gone wrong in horse racing, including issues within the sport and possible solutions
    • Craig Fravel, CEO of 1/ST Racing, will discuss the decision to allow Medina Spirit to run in Saturday’s Preakness Stakes

 

Three horses from the Kentucky Derby will run in Saturday’s Preakness Stakes: winner Medina Spirit, Midnight Bourbon (5-1) and Keepmeinmind (15-1). Ram (30-1), a son of 2015 Triple Crown winner American Pharoah, will also run in Saturday’s Preakness field.

Additional highlights of Preakness Stakes coverage Saturday on NBC include:

    • Seven live races on Saturday (two in the NBC Preakness Stakes show)
    • Celebrity picks for the 146th Preakness Stakes
    • A look at the Woodlawn Vase, which is awarded for winning the Preakness Stakes and is the most expensive trophy in North America
    • A camera focused on race caller Larry Collmus

 

In addition, musicians 2 Chainz and D-Nice will rock the infield with performances of their biggest hits throughout the broadcast.

COMMENTATORS:  NBC Sports’ coverage of the Preakness Stakes features host Mike Tirico; analysts Randy Moss and Hall of Fame jockey Jerry Bailey, a two-time Preakness Stakes winner who earned his first Triple Crown victory 30 years ago, in 1991, aboard Hansel; reporter/handicapper Eddie Olczyk; insights analyst Steve Kornacki, who correctly picked Media Spirit as this year’s Kentucky Derby winner; host/reporter Ahmed Fareed; reporters Donna Brothers, Britney Eurton, Laffit Pincay III, and Kenny Rice; and race caller Larry Collmus.

The Preakness Stakes is produced by Lindsay Schanzer and is directed by Sunday Night Football and NBC Sports’ horse racing director Drew Esocoff. The coordinating producer of NBC’s horse racing coverage is Rob Hyland. Executive producer and president, production, NBC Sports and NBCSN is Sam Flood.

PREAKNESS STAKES  
Date Time Event Network  
Fri., May 14 5 p.m. Black-Eyed Susan Stakes NBCSN  
Sat., May 15 2 p.m. Preakness Prep NBCSN  
Sat., May 15 5 p.m. Preakness Stakes NBC  
 

BELMONT STAKES
Date Time Event Network
Fri., June 4 5 p.m. Belmont Stakes Access NBCSN
Sat., June 5 3 p.m. Belmont Stakes Prep NBCSN
Sat., June 5 5 p.m. Belmont Stakes NBC

 

PREAKNESS STAKES COVERAGE ON NBCSPORTS.COM & THE NBC SPORTS APP

NBCSports.com and the NBC Sports app will stream live coverage to desktops, mobile, tablets, and connected TVs via “TV Everywhere,” giving consumers additional value to their subscription service, and making high-quality content available to MVPD customers both in and out of the home and on multiple platforms. The full HD-quality video stream will come directly from NBC’s broadcasts. NBCSports.com and the NBC Sports app are available on the iTunes App Store, Google Play, Windows Store, Roku Channel Store, Apple TV, Amazon Fire, Samsung Smart TVs, Xbox, and Chromecast. NBC Sports.com and the NBC Sports app will provide a full race replay of the Preakness Stakes.

NBC SPORTS AUDIO PREAKNESS STAKES COVERAGE

In partnership with Horse Racing Radio Network (HRRN), NBC Sports Audio will present live Preakness Stakes coverage beginning Saturday, May 15 at 5 p.m. ET featuring host Mike Penna and analysts Kurt Becker, Tom Leach, and Jeff Bloom. The broadcast will include a simulcast of the live race call by NBC Sports’ Larry Collmus. This is the seventh consecutive year HRRN and NBC Sports have teamed to produce radio coverage of the Triple Crown, which will be available throughout North America on NBC Sports Audio channel on SiriusXM channel 211 along with terrestrial affiliates throughout the United States.  Live streaming and a listing of affiliates can also be accessed via the HRRN website, www.horseracingradio.net. HRRN is available on SiriusXM channels 209 and 201.

NBC SPORTS GROUP AND HORSE RACING: NBC Sports Group is the exclusive home to the most important and prestigious events in horse racing, including the Triple Crown, the Breeders’ Cup World Championships, Royal Ascot, and Pegasus World Cup Invitational Series. NBC has been the exclusive home of the Kentucky Derby and the Preakness Stakes since 2001, and the Belmont Stakes since 2011, when NBC Sports Group reassembled the Triple Crown.

–NBC SPORTS–