HRRN to Broadcast Triple Crown, Breeders' Cup
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After inking deals with Churchill Downs and the Maryland Jockey Club, Horse Racing Radio Network will provide live on-site coverage of all three Triple Crown races this spring. The network also will return to Santa Anita Park Oct. 31-Nov. 1 as the exclusive radio partner of the Breeders' Cup World Championships.
HRRN announced March 31 it has renewed an exclusive agreement with Churchill Downs Inc. to broadcast the 140th Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (gr. I) May 3 and have reached a three-year agreement to be the exclusive radio network of the Preakness Stakes (gr. I) through 2016. This year's edition of the second jewel of the Triple Crown is set for May 17 at Pimlico Race Course. Additionally, HRRN will provide the national broadcast of the 146th Belmont Stakes (gr. I) June 7 at Belmont Park.
HRRN has scheduled more than 30 hours of on-site Kentucky Derby and Triple Crown related coverage with live Derby week coverage beginning Wednesday, April 30 with HRRN's popular "Derby Countdown Show" hosted live from Churchill Downs.
Each of HRRN's Triple Crown broadcasts will air live from 5-7 p.m. ET, and will be carried on HRRN affiliates throughout the country as well as on SiriusXM satellite radio. Coverage will also be broadcast to U.S. service personnel around the globe on the American Forces Network, and streamed live on the HRRN website.
"The Kentucky Derby, Triple Crown and Breeders' Cup represent the very best our sport has to offer and generate a tremendous amount of interest with mainstream audiences well beyond traditional racing fans," said Mike Penna, president of HRRN. "Our team embraces the opportunity to be part of these historic events and we are looking forward to presenting the excitement and pageantry to our listeners around the globe."
"We're thrilled that Mike Penna and the talented HRRN team will once again showcase the Kentucky Derby and the Triple Crown to a national radio and global online audience," said Churchill Downs racetrack president Kevin Flanery.
"The HRRN team delivers a tremendous amount of knowledge and passion for Thoroughbred racing in its broadcast of the Preakness Stakes and the Triple Crown," said Mike Gathagan, Maryland Jockey Club vice president of communications.
"This year's Belmont Stakes will highlight an unforgettable day, and we are very pleased that HRRN will again be on site to cover it," said Chris Kay, chief executive officer and president of the New York Racing Association.
Starting Tuesday, Oct. 28, HRRN will be on-site at Santa Anita with nearly 20 hours of Breeders' Cup coverage culminating with the $5 million Classic (gr. I) in prime time on Saturday, Nov. 1.
In 2013, listeners in 140 countries and all 50 states made HRRN their home for live racing coverage.
A complete broadcast schedule with affiliate information can be found on the HRRN website.