(Edited HRTV release)
HorseRacing TV's weekly "Pursuit of the Cup, presented by OCD Pellets" show, which provides a comprehensive look at the Breeders' Cup World Championship races, debuts on Thursday, July 23 at 8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT. The Breeders' Cup will be hosted by the Oak Tree Racing Association at Santa Anita on Nov. 6-7.
Co-hosts Laffit Pincay, III and Jeff Siegel, are joined by Gary Stevens, Scott Hazelton, and Millie Ball. Jill Byrne, now Churchill Downs' director of on-air communications, will also contribute with her knowledge of the East Coast contingent, and international correspondent Fanny Salmon will report from Europe on the top foreign-based hopefuls.
"The growth of 'Pursuit of the Cup' has mirrored the growth of the network," said Jim Bates, executive vice president and general manager of HRTV. "The additions of Jill and Fanny to our own stable of experienced analysts will provide for television's most thorough analysis of the 14 Breeders' Cup championship races."
Programming will include previews of the weekend stakes races, as well as race replays of key races, along with interviews with top trainers, jockeys and owners. HRTV announcers will offer insights and commentary associated with the 14 championship races. Michael Canale, HRTV's senior producer for live programming, will serve as the show's producer, as he does for all of the network's major live productions.
Replays of the show, which will re-air several times before Saturday of each week, will also be available on hrtv.com.