Here's the schedule for this weekend's America's Day at the Races
The New York Racing Association will continue its expanded weekend broadcast schedule for America's Day at the Races, the national telecast presenting coverage and analysis of the best racing from across the country.
Produced by NYRA in partnership with FOX Sports, America's Day at the Races will air on FS1/FS2 on Saturday and Sunday for a combined 11 hours of national television coverage.
(All times Eastern)
1:30-6 p.m. (FS1)
6-7 p.m. (FS2)
Sunday, April 5
1:30-2:30 p.m. (FS2)
2:30-6 p.m. (FS1)
6-7 p.m. (FS2)
With racing at Aqueduct Racetrack suspended because of he coronavirus pandemic, live racing from Tampa Bay Downs and Oaklawn Park will feature on the weekend broadcasts, highlighted by Saturday's $100,000 Purple Martin, a 6-furlong sprint for 3-year-old fillies at Oaklawn.
Frank Fletcher Racing Operations' Frank's Rockette, a bay daughter of Into Mischief trained by Hall of Famer Bill Mott, enters the Purple Martin from a dominating 7-length score in the Any Limit at Gulfstream Park. The talented filly was the runner-up in a trio of graded stakes on the NYRA circuit last season, including the Grade 2 Adirondack and Grade 1 Spinaway at Saratoga, as well as the Grade 1 Frizette at Belmont Park.
Steep opposition in the 10-horse field will be provided by David A. Mowat's Kimari. Trained by Wesley Ward, the Munnings bay debuted with aplomb last April at Keeneland when 15 lengths the best in a maiden sprint. Following a narrow head loss in the Group 2 Queen Mary at Royal Ascot, Kimari posted stakes wins in the Bolton Landing at Saratoga Race Course and the Indian Summer at Keeneland. Kimari completed a well-traveled season with a closing fourth in the Grade 2 Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf Sprint at Santa Anita.
She will make her seasonal debut out of the inside post under Hall of Famer Mike Smith.
Slated as Race 9 on Oaklawn's 10-race card, post time for the Purple Martin is set for 6:09 p.m. Eastern.
America's Day at the Races is presented by Runhappy, Claiborne Farm and America's Best Racing. Hosted by Greg Wolf, this weekend's broadcast team includes Gary Stevens, Michelle Yu, Laffit Pincay III, Tom Amoss and Jonathon Kinchen.