Churchill, NBC partner to air Derby preps

Churchill Downs Inc. and NBC Sports on Monday announced a partnership to

present three broadcasts featuring six Kentucky Derby (G1) and Triple Crown prep

races this spring leading up to the Kentucky Derby on NBC Sports on May 1. The

three one-hour broadcasts, two on NBC and one on USA Network, will include the

Louisiana Derby (G2), Lane's End S. (G2), Santa Anita Derby (G1), Wood Memorial

S. (G1), Blue Grass S. (G1) and Arkansas Derby (G1). The announcement was made

by Bob Evans, President and CEO of Churchill Downs Inc., and Ken Schanzer,

President of NBC Sports.

The shared vision of Churchill Downs and NBC Sports' successful 'Big Event

Strategy' led to the 2009 Kentucky Derby being the most viewed Derby in two

decades with an increase in viewers of more than 26 percent since this strategy

was launched in 2007. Each of the three, one-hour "Road to the Kentucky Derby"

broadcasts will feature the races and handicapping segments in addition to

lifestyle elements designed to broaden the audience for these races and to drive

viewership of the Kentucky Derby and Triple Crown.

"This approach has been effective in bringing new fans to racing, and we hope

to see similar success with the 'Road to the Kentucky Derby' series," Evans

said. "The key difference is that we promote racing to both men and women by

focusing on the fan's entire experience of racing, not just the race itself.

This includes food, fashion and celebrity."

"We value the relationship we have with Churchill Downs immensely," Schanzer

said. "Adding the broadcasts of these important Derby prep races allows us to

introduce key storylines that continue to build the broadest possible audience

for the Kentucky Derby and the sport of Thoroughbred racing."

The first of the three broadcasts will occur on March 27 when the Louisiana

Derby from Fair Grounds and the Lane's End S. from Turfway Park will aired on

the USA Network. On April 3, NBC will broadcast the Santa Anita Derby as well as

the Wood Memorial from Aqueduct. The final NBC broadcast will be on April 10,

when the Blue Grass S. from Keeneland and the Arkansas Derby from Oaklawn Park

will be televised.