NBC’s Steve Kornacki became a star during the 2020 presidential election coverage, and he took the same style of data analysis to cover NFL playoff odds during Football Night in America in December. And on Saturday, NBC put Kornacki’s skills to use to cover horse racing at the 147th Kentucky Derby.
https://twitter.com/NBCSports/status/1388565242565771266
Shortly ahead of the race, 11 NBC personalities made their predictions for the winner, and only Kornacki made the correct pick: Medina Spirit (12-1 odds).
“So, who am I going to go with? I scoured the board. I have 11 different theories. But here’s one: Bob Baffert. Six-time Kentucky Derby winner, has a horse that can get at or near the front of this race, and has double-digit odds: 12-1. I can’t have my King Fury. I’ll take a shot on Baffert at 12-1. Medina Spirit.”
.@SteveKornacki picks the winner of the Kentucky Derby, Medina Spirit. No one else on NBC got the pick right. https://t.co/wTM4YYMZ2G
— Ken Fang — Very Asian (@fangsbites) May 1, 2021
There were 11 NBC personalities (2 not shown here) who gave their picks on the winner of the Kentucky Derby. Only one — @SteveKornacki picked the winner. pic.twitter.com/yaljM0GfWH
— Darren Rovell (@darrenrovell) May 1, 2021
https://twitter.com/thecomeback/status/1388635141879197697
Not only did Kornacki make the prediction, but he also placed $100 on Medina Spirit.
As I said on the air, if you’re giving me double digit odds on Baffert, I’ll take it! pic.twitter.com/0s4UMbNUCA
— Steve Kornacki (@SteveKornacki) May 1, 2021
Well done by Kornacki, and expect NBC to continue finding more use for his analysis.
