Two key Kentucky Derby prep races will be carried live by NBC Saturday, April 5, when the network presents coverage of the Santa Anita Derby (gr. I) and the Wood Memorial (gr. I) from 5-6 p.m. ET. The program will also feature highlights of the Illinois Derby (gr. II), which will be run the same day.
The network’s HD coverage of the $750,000 Santa Anita Derby from Santa Anita Park just outside Los Angeles will be hosted by Tom Hammond, who will be assisted by former jockey Gary Stevens, who won the storied race a record nine times in his Hall of Fame career. The $750,000 Wood Memorial will be manned by Kenny Rice live from Aqueduct in the shadow of New York City.
NBC will be tuning up for its presentation of the grade I Kentucky Derby May 3 and Preakness Stakes (grade I) May 17.