I could be wrong, but 7-hours of Horse Racing has to be unprecedented on television doesn’t it? Anywho, ESPN has smartly decided center most of it’s coverage this weekend for Big Brown’s run at the Triple Crown. ABC will have 2 hours of live coverage starting at noon on Saturday……
ESPN will offer seven hours of coverage leading up to ABC’s two-hour race broadcast Saturday, June 7, as Big Brown attempts to win the 140th Belmont Stakes, which would make him the first horse to capture the Triple Crown since 1978. ESPN will have programming from noon to 5 p.m., followed by the race coverage on ABC. All Belmont programming on ABC and ESPN will be aired in high definition on ABC HD and ESPN HD, respectively.
Joe Tessitore and Brent Musburger will host the race coverage, with analysts Jerry Bailey and Randy Moss, reporters Jeannine Edwards, Rece Davis, Jay Privman, Steve Cyphers, Tom Rinaldi and Caton Bredar and handicappers Kenny Mayne and Hank Goldberg. Rick Reilly will also provide commentary.
Seems like a pretty good decision given the hype surrounding Big Brown, and I don’t think it would work under any other circumstance, but seven hours? That’s a god awful long time to be talking horses. You can also see the selection show this Wednesday if you care about the post positions and I’ll be sure to have video up shortly following the race on Saturday.
Oh and an FYI to all of you betters out there. Whatever you do….do not listen to Hank Greenberg. The Hammer has gotten killed on the last two telecasts. Here’s the schedule….
Wed., June 4
11a.m.-noon (ESPN)- Belmont Draw
Fri., June 6
5-6 p.m. (ESPN2)- Hill Prince Stakes
Sat., June 7
Noon-3 p.m. (ESPN)- Today at the Belmont Stakes
3-5 p.m. (ESPN)- The Belmont Stakes Special
5-7 p.m. (ABC)- The 140th Belmont Stakes
Sun., June 8
3-5 a.m. (ESPN)- Replay of Belmont Stakes
(Via ESPN PR)
