Horse racing enters national TV spotlight on NBCSN, FS1
This week, Alex Waldrop, president and CEO of the NTRA, said that "this is a time for racing to distinguish itself." With no other American sports in action this weekend, the industry appears set to do just that, picking up more national TV exposure.
America's Day at the Races, produced by the New York Racing Association, will begin at 1:30 p.m. (all times Eastern) Friday on Fox Sports 2 with coverage shifting to Fox Sports 1 at 3. The show will also air Saturday and Sunday on FS1 from 1:30-6:30 p.m.
"During these uncertain times, our goal this weekend is to provide some normalcy for sports fans and horseplayers," said NYRA Chief Revenue Officer Tony Allevato. "Thoroughbred racing is an economic engine across the country that sustains good paying jobs and hourly workers. These shows are an expression of support for an entire industry."
Additionally, it was announced that NBC Sports Network will simulcast TVG's Trackside Live from 4-8 p.m. on both Saturday and Sunday with Britney Eurton anchoring coverage.
“On behalf of our track and horsemen partners, we are excited to join forces with our friends from NBC Sports to bring horse racing to a broader audience," said TVG CEO Kip Levin. "These are unprecedented times for everyone and we hope that we can provide a safe diversion and some entertainment for people with so much of the regular sports schedule having been canceled or delayed.”
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NBCSN was already scheduled to air Fair Grounds' Louisiana Derby (G2). This TV window will include the 2020 Kentucky Derby prep, plus action at other tracks, including Santa Anita Park.
NBCSN will also simulcast Trackside Live the following weekend – Friday, March 27 through Sunday, March 29 – from 4-8 p.m. on all three days. That coverage will include the Florida Derby (G1) from Gulfstream Park, of course, assuming horse races continue to be held amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
Free TVG account holders can, by the way, live stream in HD all of the network's programming in addition to betting on the races. Individual track feeds and on-demand replays are also available.
Last week, racetracks continued running but largely without their on-site crowds. A guidance issued by the Center for Disease Control on Sunday further tightened restrictions. The CDC recommends no gatherings of 50 or more in a confined space, but said businesses can function; as a result, most racetracks have further barred owners from attending races with only essential personnel allowed on site to prevent the virus' spread.