HRTV will offer on-site coverage of the March 20 Florida Derby (gr. I), a key prep race for the May 1 Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (gr. I).
The HRTV show will be hosted by Laffit Pinacy III, Hall of Fame jockey Gary Stevens, Jeff Siegel, and Scott Hazelton, who will provide information, insights and analysis throughout the card. Gulfstream’s Caton Bredar and Alyssa Ali will also contribute to the telecast.
“The Florida Derby has an outstanding tradition of producing winners of Triple Crown races,” said Amy J. Zimmerman, HRTV’s executive producer.
The $750,000 Florida Derby is slated for 6:20 p.m. ET. HRTV will devote a half-hour beginning at 6 p.m. to in-depth coverage of the race. The Florida Derby will be the 11th race on the 12-race card, with first post at 1:15 p.m. ET. The Florida Derby undercard will include two grade II events: the $150,000 Swale Stakes, and the $200,000 Bonnie Miss, and a pair of grade III races: the $100,000 Appleton Stakes and the $150,000 Rampart Stakes.
HRTV will remain in Florida the following day, hosting the show’s twice-weekly “Pursuit of the Crown”, a program that chronicles Triple Crown happenings throughout the winter racing season. “Pursuit of the Crown” will air March 21 at 8 p.m. ET.