NBC Sports Group Sets Derby Week Coverage
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Photo: Coady Photography/Churchill Downs
NBC Sports Group on hand at Churchill
NBC Sports Group will present 15 1/2 hours of live coverage of Kentucky Derby (gr. I) week, the network announced May 3.
Racing coverage will begin May 5 from Churchill Downs, with the broadcast of four live races beginning at 4 p.m. EDT on NBC Sports Network. On May 6, seven races will be shown live on NBCSN beginning at 12:30 p.m.
On May 7, nine races will be broadcast on NBCSN beginning at noon, followed by three live races on NBC beginning at 4 p.m. The NBC show will include the Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands.
In addition, on May 4 at 5:30 p.m. NBCSN will broadcast the Kentucky Derby post-position draw.
A news release from the network called the schedule "the most comprehensive coverage plan in Kentucky Derby history" with more than 50 cameras, including a new 360-degree robotic camera on the infield; a new helmet camera on the outrider; a camera suspended 80-feet high on the Churchill video board structure; a robotic camera in the paddock saddling area, and a camera on announcer Larry Collmus. A jockey, trainer, and owner will be wired-for-sound for final jockey's instructions and post-race reactions.
Saturday coverage will include features on Derby favorite Nyquist; a profile of the Keith and Kent Desormeaux, who will team with Exaggerator; Mike Repole, owner of Derby contender Outwork; a visit by Carolyn Manno with American Pharoah at Ashford Stud; and Rutledge Wood's "first Kentucky Derby."
NBC Sports Group will present 29 hours of Triple Crown coverage this season from Churchill, Pimlico Race Course, and Belmont Park, including live racing from all three tracks prior to the Triple Crown races. It's the sixth consecutive year that all three Triple Crown races will air on NBC.