Where to Tune in for Apple Blossom Weekend

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.

Many racetracks have cancelled or postponed their meets during April, but 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. Two graded stakes are on tap April 18 at Oaklawn Park: the Apple Blossom Handicap (G1) and the Count Fleet Sprint Handicap (G3).

On Saturday and Sunday, live racing coverage will be featured on "America's Day at the Races." The NYRA-produced show will air Saturday on FS1 from 1:30-7 p.m. ET On Sunday, the show will air on FS2 from 1:30-2:30 p.m. and then on FS1 from 2:30-6:30 p.m. "America's Day at the Races" is presented by Runhappy, Claiborne Farm, and America's Best Racing. Hosted by Greg Wolf and Laffit Pincay III, this weekend's broadcast team includes Gary Stevens, Michelle Yu, 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 4-8 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 trainer Mark Casse, who won two legs of the 2019 Triple Crown and is a finalist for the 2020 Racing Hall of Fame. ESPN's Chris Fallica and "Stanford Steve" Coughlin will also preview the NFL Draft.

Here's a rundown of television and radio coverage for the upcoming weekend.

TV Schedule

Note: All times listed are Eastern

Radio Schedule

Note: All times listed are Eastern