Where to Tune in for Key Kentucky Derby Preps and More
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Photo: Coglianese Photos
Racing at Aqueduct Racetrack
The Road to the Kentucky Derby gets crowded March 7, with three prep races scheduled around the country that offer valuable qualifying points to the Derby: the $400,000 Lambholm South Tampa Bay Derby (G2) at Tampa Bay Downs; the $400,000 San Felipe Stakes (G2) at Santa Anita Park; and the $300,000 Gotham Stakes (G2) at Aqueduct Racetrack. Each prep offers qualifying points to the top four finishers on a 50-20-10-5 scale.
Saturday's graded stakes activity not related to the Run for the Roses is highlighted by the 84th running of the $600,000 Santa Anita Handicap (G1) at Santa Anita Park.
The three Kentucky Derby preps will be televised on the FOX Sports program "America's Day at the Races" presented by America's Best Racing, which airs nationally this Saturday on FS2 from 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. Eastern. These races, along with the Big 'Cap, will also be shown live on TVG as part of their comprehensive, coast-to-coast coverage.
A highlight of this week's radio schedule is the season premiere of "The Winner's Circle," America's Best Racing's podcast presented by NYRA Bets. The show, hosted by Bram Weinstein and featuring analysis from Hall of Fame jockey Gary Stevens, airs at noon ET for the next five weeks and then every Saturday at 10 a.m. from April 11 through Nov. 7 on SB Nation Radio. Subscribe to "The Winner's Circle" on Apple Podcasts to listen to archived episodes.
Featured guests on the season premiere podcast are author and columnist Joel Stein, whose new book "In Defense of Elitism" is available here; and turf writer and America's Best Racing contributor Tom Pedulla who previews the upcoming two months of Kentucky Derby prep races.
Here's a rundown of television and radio coverage leading up to March 7's big day in racing:
TV Schedule
|
Date |
Program |
Time |
Network |
|
March 7 |
"America's Day at the Races," featuring live coverage of the Gotham Stakes, the Lambholm South Tampa Bay Derby, and the San Felipe Stakes |
5:30-7 p.m. |
|
|
March 7 |
Live coverage of racing from Aqueduct, Tampa Bay Downs, and Santa Anita Park |
Tampa Bay Downs first post 12 p.m.; Aqueduct first post 1:30 p.m.; Santa Anita Park first post 3 p.m. |
Radio Schedule
| Date | Program | Time | Network |
| March 4 | At The Races with Steve Byk: eNicks' Sid Fernando, Tourney Talk with Pete Fornatale, and more | 9 a.m. | Thoroughbred Radio Network |
| March 4 | Red Brand Radio | 3 p.m. | HRRN |
| March 4 | Trainer Talk Presented by Fasig-Tipton | 6 p.m. | HRRN |
| March 5 | At The Races with Steve Byk: Shedrow Confidential with Steve Haskin, Vegas Racebook with Richard Eng, and more | 9 a.m. | Thoroughbred Radio Network |
| March 5 | Red Brand Radio | 3 p.m. | HRRN |
| March 5 | Brisnet Call-in Show | 6 p.m. | HRRN |
| March 6 | At The Races with Steve Byk: Weekend Preview with Daily Racing Form correspondents, Brisnet's Ed DeRosa, and other guests | 9 a.m. | Thoroughbred Radio Network |
| March 6 | Red Brand Radio | 3 p.m. | HRRN |
| March 6 | Weekend Stakes Preview Presented by NYRA Bets | 6 p.m. | HRRN |
| March 7 | Equine Forum Show | 8 a.m. | HRRN |
| March 7 | Off to the Races on The Racing Biz Radio Network | 10 a.m. | ESPN 950 AM |
| March 7 | "The Winner's Circle" presented by NYRA Bets, with host Bram Weinstein, analyst Gary Stevens, and featured guests Joel Stein and Tom Pedulla |
noon |
SB Nation Radio |
Note: All times listed are Eastern