NBC Sports

LOUISVILLE, KY - Beautiful spring weather, enthusiastic racing fans dressed to impress and the GI Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs on the first Saturday in May. This, of course, wasn't the case last year, far from it, as the COVID-19 pandemic turned the world upside down and forced both the GI Kentucky Oaks and Derby to be held spectator-free over Labor Day weekend. Masks, temperature checks and social distancing are more of the norm these days as limited crowds of between 40,000-50,000 (40-50% reserved seating, 60% premium dining areas and...

Steve Kornacki, who has gained a cult following as the national political correspondent for MSNBC, will join NBC Sports' coverage of Saturday's GI Kentucky Derby beginning at 2:30 p.m. ET. Kornacki, who has been praised for his ability to explain the complicated election process, will apply his analytical perspective in segments entitled "Meet the Contenders." He will also offer insights on notable betting trends. Kornacki also contributed to NBC's Football Night in America programming over the winter, where he broke down the oft-confusing NFL playoff scenarios. "After successfully tackling FNIA,...

With one month to the running of the GI Kentucky Derby, NBC Sports presents live coverage of the GII Wood Memorial, GII Blue Grass S. and GI Santa Anita Derby Saturday at 5:30 p.m. ET. This weekend's "triplecast" continues NBC Sports' "Road to the Kentucky Derby" coverage on four consecutive Saturday afternoons, which also includes next weekend's GI Arkansas Derby. NBC Sports will present the 147th Kentucky Derby Saturday, May 1 at 2:30 p.m. ET on NBC. Saturday's live coverage begins from Aqueduct Racetrack with the Wood Memorial, which has...

Fair Grounds announced a 10% across-the-board purse increase--the third of the New Orleans track's current meeting--Wednesday. The purse increase goes into effect for the final 13 days of the meet, beginning with the Mar. 11 card. "Our handle has continued to be strong and we are pleased to be able to raise purses for the third time this meet," Fair Grounds' racing secretary Scott Jones said. "We'd once again like to thank the owners, trainers and fans who have been supporting our day-to-day racing product. $60,000 for a maiden special...

NBCUniversal and PointsBet announced a multi-year partnership by which PointsBet becomes the official sports betting partner of NBC Sports. As part of the agreement, NBC Sports will provide PointsBet with year-round, multi-platform media and marketing opportunities across its unmatched portfolio of events. Included among the new agreement: PointsBet will be incorporated in exclusive multiplatform gameday integrations across the eight NBC Sports Regional Networks, which are the exclusive regional homes to MLB, NBA and NHL teams, and deliver more than 2,200 live sporting events. Exclusive PointsBet odds integrations will be incorporated...

"Born to Run," a one-hour documentary focusing on the first crop of horses by 2015 Triple Crown winner American Pharoah, will debut on NBC Sunday at noon ET. Narrated by actress Ashley Judd, the film chronicles American Pharoah's foals, from their births in the spring of 2017, to the sales ring at Keeneland, to the farms of Florida, and on to their first races. The NBC Sports Film is presented by MassMutual.

   This is the first in a series of monthly columns focused on Sports Business and Marketing and how we can learn from it in horse racing. As I discussed the concept with the TDN, I quickly realized that the best format would be through interviews of individuals I have had the pleasure to work and learn from over my career as their insight would be more meaningful than any of my opinions. Selecting my first guinea pig for this new experiment was easy, as I have had the privilege...

Breeders' Cup in conjunction with The Jockey Club are launching a new national advertising campaign called 'Still. Running. Strong." to promote Thoroughbred racing as spectator-free racing resumes in various markets around the country during this time of the COVID-19 pandemic. "As more of our major venues get back to live racing and with people at home seeking diversion and entertainment, we wanted to be proactive about promoting the sport to a broader audience," said Drew Fleming, President and CEO of the Breeders' Cup. "Horse racing has a unique opportunity to...

Belmont will reopen June 3 for a 25-day meet with a stakes schedule that includes a number of purse cuts and the cancellation of several stakes traditionally run in the spring at the NYRA tracks. Spectators will not be allowed to attend the races throughout the spring season at Belmont. Following the opening week, racing will be held Thursdays through Sundays with closing day scheduled for July 12. "The resumption of live racing at Belmont Park June 3, with all appropriate health and safety protocols in place, will support the...

What has traditionally been the final leg of the Triple Crown will now be the first. The GI Belmont Stakes will be run June 20 at the distance of a mile and an eighth, NYRA announced Tuesday. In a year where the coronavirus has caused tracks across the country to scramble and adjust their racing calendars and stakes schedules, the Triple Crown, in order, will now consist of the June 20 Belmont, the GI Kentucky Derby Sept. 5 and the GI Preakness Oct. 3. "The Belmont Stakes is a New...

Stronach Group Chairman and President Belinda Stronach and Maryland Governor Larry Hogan will announce the rescheduled date for the 145th GI Preakness S. on NBC Sports Saturday. NBC Sports will present a special show on NBC at 5 p.m. ET this Saturday, May 16--the original date for the race--headlined by American Pharoah's memorable Preakness S. win five years ago. The one-hour special--The Middle Jewel: American Pharoah's Run to the Triple Crown--will look back at American Pharoah's dominating win in the 140th Preakness S. Just prior to post time in 2015,...

TVG will partner with NBC Sports to bring live horse racing into the homes of fans across the country for the fourth consecutive weekend with 12 hours of coverage, including the GI Apple Blossom H. and GIII Count Fleet Sprint H. from Friday, Apr. 17 through Sunday, Apr. 19 from 4-8 p.m. ET all three days. In addition to Oaklawn Park, TVG will also be showing racing from Gulfstream Park and Tampa Bay Downs. "Trackside Live" will be hosted by Todd Schrupp and will include expert analysis and exclusive interviews....