Kentucky Derby prep races on NBC will showcase six races on four consecutive weekends of LIVE racing. The Live racing will be broadcast March 24th through April 14th on the NBC family of networks as part of an agreement between NBC, racetracks and the Jockey Club.
The Jockey Club has taken on an initiative to co-fund the broadcasts as part of a five year plan to broaden the public profile of thoroughbred horse racing. This is recommendation comes from a report prepared for the Jockey Club by McKinsey and Company back in 2011.
Jockey Club spokesperson Bob Curran said that the deal with NBC is for one year with NBC having the ability to pick up the option for a second year. Of course picking up a second year will depend on ratings and the public showing enough interest in live KentuckyDerby Prep racing on the road to the roses.
"We hope it is the beginning of a longer-term relationship," Curran said.
The series will kick offits live broadcasts on Versus which has been renamed NBC Sports Network on March 24th with the Vinery Stakes at Turfway Park. March 31st is the Florida Derby at Gulfstream Park on the NBC Sports Network with live broadcasts moving to NBC for the April 7th Wood Memorial at Aqueduct and the Santa Anita Derby at Santa Anita Park. The final installment of live racing will be April 14th, showcasing the Blue Grass Stakes at Keeneland and Arkansas Derby at Oaklawn Park on CNBC before the Kentucky Derby on May 5th presented by Yum! Brands on NBC.
The Kentucky Derby Prep races on NBC series will also help to promote NBC's coverage of the Triple Crown races, showing the Kentucky Derby, Preakness Stakes and Belmont Stakes through 2015.
March 24th - Vinery Stakes at Turfway Park on NBC Sports Network
March 31st - Florida Derby at Gulfstream Park on NBC Sports Network
April 7th - Wood Memorial at Aqueduct and Santa Anita Derby at Santa Anita Park on NBC
April 14th - Blue Grass Stakes at Keeneland and Arkansas Derby at Oaklawn Park on CNBC











