NBC Plans 6 1/2 Hours of Preakness Coverage

The two-hour window that will include the race gets underway at 4:30 p.m. EDT Saturday on NBC with the Preakness scheduled to go off shortly after 6 p.m. There will be a two-hour show leading up to the Preakness coverage on the NBC Sports Network from 2:30-4:30 p.m. and a post-race show on that same network from 6:30 to 7 p.m.

NBC Sports Network kicks off its coverage Friday at 3 p.m. for an hour of Preakness Classics. The Black-Eyed Susan Stakes (gr. II) will be shown in the 4-5 p.m. hour.

Not surprisingly, Saturday’s coverage will center on Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (gr. I) winner I'll Have Another  , who drew post 9 in the Preakness at Pimlico Race Course near Baltimore. Feature stories are planned on his jockey, Mario Gutierrez; his trainer, Doug O’Neill; and Dennis O’Neill, who purchased the Derby winner at auction for $35,000.

NBC’s portion of the Preakness coverage Saturday will be streamed live online at NBCSports.com and will include an isolation camera on I’ll Have Another during the race, plus analysis and commentary by NBC on-air talent.

A dedicated social media producer will be on-site for behind-the-scenes content and breaking news. Viewers and tweeters can join the conversation by using the hashtag #PREAKNESS. There will also be a Facebook poll at www.facebook.com/NBCSports.