(Edited press release)
ESPN and ABC will offer seven hours of Belmont Stakes (gr. I) coverage starting at noon ET--including ABC’s two-hour race broadcast June 6 at 5 p.m.--as jockey Calvin Borel attempts to complete an unprecedented personal Triple Crown.
Borel will be back on board Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (gr. I) winner Mine That Bird in the Belmont, having switched for the Preakness Stakes (gr. I), where he rode the filly Rachel Alexandra to the winner's circle.
All Belmont programming on ABC and ESPN will be aired in high definition on ABC HD and ESPN HD, respectively.
Overall, ESPN will provide Belmont Stakes coverage on: ABC, ESPN, ESPN2, ESPN.com, ESPN360.com, ESPN International, and ESPN Mobile TV.
Joe Tessitore will host the programming with analysts Jerry Bailey and Randy Moss, reporters Jeannine Edwards, Rece Davis, Jay Privman, Steve Cyphers, Tom Rinaldi, and Caton Bredar, and handicappers Kenny Mayne and Hank Goldberg. Rick Reilly will provide commentaries.
ABC Sports will use 38 cameras to cover the race, including a super slo-mo camera and a helicopter camera.
Features on The Belmont telecast on ABC and ESPN will include: Calvin Borel on life after the Derby; Chip Woolley on training Mine That Bird; Kenny Mayne on riding with Woolley from his home in New Mexico to Belmont Park; Trainer Nick Zito on his love for the Belmont; and what makes a longshot.
The multi-media coverage will include:
--ESPN.com: Stories, updates and video clips all week leading up to the Belmont.
--ESPN360.com: Will simulcast both Today at Belmont Stakes and the Belmont Stakes Special June 6. ESPN360.com will also feature the entire Belmont race replay after 2:30 a.m. ET.
--ESPN Mobile TV: Will air Today at Belmont Stakes and the Belmont Stakes Special live on ESPN Mobile TV June 6. Belmont customized content will also be featured on the ESPN Mobile Web in a dedicated section in the Hot Corner, a Breaking News Alert on the winner and video analysis. ESPN Mobile TV is ESPN's 24/7 wireless video network available on Flo TV and MobiTV. ESPN
--International: Atlantic Network (Sub-Saharan Africa, and Israel), Middle East Network (North Africa and the Middle East), Pac Rim (Australia and New Zealand), Latin American Network, Latin American Network-Brazil, and Latin-Caribbean Network.
