The New York Racing Association and the NBC Sports Group May 12 announced a partnership to broadcast “Summer at Saratoga,” live racing from Saratoga Springs, N.Y., over seven weekends beginning July 23 and including the Travers Stakes (gr. I) Aug. 27. The announcement was made by C. Steven Duncker, NYRA chairman and Jon Miller, president of programming at NBC Sports and VERSUS. This agreement marks the most extensive live national television coverage of racing from Saratoga.
“This is a unique opportunity to expand our coverage of Thoroughbred racing with these great races from Saratoga, a truly iconic venue,” said Miller in a release. “This partnership with NYRA cements the NBC Sports Group’s commitment to the sport which already includes long-term deals for the Triple Crown with Churchill Downs for the Kentucky Derby, in addition to the Preakness and Belmont.”
“We are elated to partner with the NBC Sports Group for this landmark agreement,” said Duncker in a statement. “Year after year, Saratoga Race Course is synonymous with the best Thoroughbred racing in the country, and the NBC Sports Group is the perfect family of networks to bring this experience to a national audience. By first uniting the Triple Crown races, and now covering the Saratoga meet in a manner never done before, NBC has demonstrated an incredible commitment to Thoroughbred racing and we are proud to be a part of their team.”
NBC Sports Group "Summer at Saratoga" Coverage (All Times ET)
July 23, Coaching Club American Oaks, 5-6 p.m., NBC
July 30, Diana, 5-6 p.m., VERSUS
Aug. 6 ,Whitney, 5-6 p.m., VERSUS
Aug. 7, Vanderbilt, 5-6 p.m., VERSUS
Aug. 13, Sword Dancer , 5-6 p.m., VERSUS
Aug. 20, Alabama, 5-6 p.m, NBC
Aug. 27, Travers, 5-6 p.m., NBC
Sept. 3, Woodward, 5-6 p.m., VERSUS