NBC to air live coverage of Kentucky Derby preps
November 8, 2011NEW YORK (AP) - NBC will provide live coverage of six major prep races for the Kentucky Derby over four consecutive weekends starting next March.
The series will be highlighted by a 90-minute live broadcast on NBC featuring the Wood Memorial at Aqueduct in New York and the Santa Anita Derby in California on April 7.
The other four Derby preps are the Spiral Stakes from Kentucky's Turfway Park on March 24 and the Florida Derby from Gulfstream on March 31, both of which will air on the NBC Sports Network (the new name for the Versus channel), and the Blue Grass Stakes from Keeneland and the Arkansas Derby from Oaklawn Park, to air on CNBC on April 14.
NBC has long-term deals to air the Triple Crown races, as well as racing from Saratoga and Keeneland. The Jockey Club is partnering with NBC and the six racetracks to increase the presence of racing on national TV.