Where to Tune In for the Weekend Action
Image:
Description:
Photo: Coady Photography
Racing at Oaklawn Park
The horse racing world like all other areas of society continues to make changes in response to the COVID-19 pandemic and public health crisis. Racetracks across America have either postponed live racing or prohibited anyone other than essential employees from entering. Charities are ramping up services to help track workers during these hard times, including the Race Track Chaplaincy, New York Division, while many other organizations including the Jockey Club Safety Net Foundation are redirecting resources to support medical efforts to combat the spread of the virus and support backstretch workers.
The original trio of major Kentucky Derby Presented by Woodford Reserve (G1) prep races—the Wood Memorial (G2), Santa Anita Derby (G1), and Toyota Blue Grass Stakes (G2)—have been canceled for April 4 (the Santa Anita Derby may run at a later date). Still, racing continues at a few tracks across the country that have instituted strict safety screening protocols for essential employees who are already on the grounds to provide daily care for horses.
Television coverage of horse racing is highlighted by two 5 1/2-hour broadcasts of "America's Day at the Races." The NYRA-produced show will air on FS1 from 1:30 p.m.-6 p.m. ET and FS2 from 6 p.m.-7 p.m. ET on Saturday. On Sunday, "America's Day at the Races" will air on FS2 from 1:30-2:30 p.m. ET, on FS1 from 2:30 p.m.-6 p.m. ET, and then back on FS2 from 6 p.m.-7 p.m. ET. The show will present live racing from Oaklawn Park and Tampa Bay Downs.
"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.
Racing coverage from NBCSN will also be offered this weekend via a simulcast of TVG's program "Trackside Live" from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. ET on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. "Trackside Live" will be available on its home network as well, along with coast-to-coast coverage of racing on TVG as per usual starting earlier in the day as part of its comprehensive package.
A don't-miss highlight of this weekend's radio coverage is "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 10 a.m. ET on Saturdays through Nov. 7 on SB Nation Radio. Subscribe to "The Winner's Circle" on Apple Podcasts to listen to archived episodes.
This Saturday's featured guest is Hall of Fame and two-time Triple Crown winning trainer Bob Baffert, who will discuss racing's response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the postponement of Santa Anita Park's meet, and the rescheduling of the Kentucky Derby, among other topics.
Here's a rundown of television and radio coverage for the upcoming weekend.
TV Schedule
|
Date |
Program |
Time |
Network |
|
April 3 |
Live coverage of racing from tracks around the country |
post time varies |
|
|
April 3 |
TVG's "Trackside Live," featuring live coverage of racing from tracks around the country |
4 p.m.-7 p.m. |
|
|
April 4 |
"America's Day at the Races," featuring live coverage of racing from Oaklawn Park and Tampa Bay Downs |
1:30-6 p.m. on FS1; 6-7 p.m. on FS2 |
|
|
April 4 |
TVG's "Trackside Live," featuring live coverage of racing from tracks around the country |
4 p.m.-7 p.m. |
|
|
April 4 |
Live coverage of racing from tracks around the country |
post time varies |
|
|
April 5 |
"America's Day at the Races," featuring live coverage of racing from Oaklawn Park and Tampa Bay Downs |
1:30-2:30 p.m. on FS2; 2:30-6 p.m. on FS1; 6-7 p.m. on FS2 |
|
|
April 5 |
TVG's "Trackside Live," featuring live coverage of racing from tracks around the country |
4 p.m.-7 p.m. |
|
|
April 5 |
Live coverage of racing from tracks around the country |
post time varies |
Radio Schedule
| Date | Program | Time | Network |
| April 3 | 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 |
| April 3 | Red Brand Radio | 3 p.m. | HRRN |
| April 3 | Weekend Stakes Preview Presented by NYRA Bets | 6 p.m. | HRRN |
| April 4 | Equine Forum Show | 8 a.m. | HRRN |
| April 4 | Off to the Races on The Racing Biz Radio Network | 10 a.m. | ESPN 950 AM |
| April 4 | "The Winner's Circle" presented by NYRA Bets, with host Bram Weinstein, analyst Gary Stevens, and featured guest Bob Baffert | 10 a.m. | SB Nation Radio |
Note: All times listed are Eastern