NBC Heads to the Bluegrass for Fall Stars Weekend
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Silver Max, shown here winning the 2013 Shadwell Turf Mile, will defend his title in this year's edition of the race at Keeneland. (Keeneland photo)
Fans will have even greater access to racing at Keeneland this weekend as NBC airs five stakes races over two days. Opening weekend of Keeneland’s traditional fall meet, known as Fall Stars weekend, features nine graded stakes races worth $3.6 million. Seven of those are Breeders’ Cup Challenge races that secure the winner a spot in the Breeders’ Cup starting gate. NBC will feature five Challenge races in two separate broadcasts.
On Saturday, Oct. 4, NBC Sports Network will air the $1 million Shadwell Turf Mile (G1), $500,000 Claiborne Breeders’ Futurity (G1) and $400,000 First Lady (G1) from 4:30-6 p.m. ET. The Shadwell Turf Mile is the track's first million-dollar race and has drawn reigning Horse of the Year Wise Dan. The Breeders' Futurity features 2-year-olds on the dirt, and the First Lady showcases a top-class field of female turf milers.
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Photo by NYRA
NBC will air two additional races from 5-6 p.m. on Sunday, Oct. 5; the $500,000 Juddmonte Spinster (G1) and the $250,000 Dixiana Bourbon Stakes (G3). Leading older filly Close Hatches will compete in the Spinster while 2-year-olds take to the turf in the Bourbon.
Comprehensive coverage of the Keeneland fall meet will be provided by TVG beginning daily at 1 p.m. FOX Sports affiliates will air additional TVG coverage from Keeneland for the Oct. 3 Darley Alcibiades (G1), Oct. 11 Queen Elizabeth II Challenge Cup presented by Lane’s End (G1), Oct. 18 Lexus Raven Run (G2) and Oct. 25 Hagyard Fayette (G2). These affiliates include FSN Prime Ticket, Fox Sports Ohio, FOX Sports San Diego, SportSouth and Sun Sports-Florida. Click here to find channels and broadcast times.