(Edited press release)
TVG will provide extensive live television coverage of Keeneland’s fall race meeting, including live trackside broadcasts every Friday, Saturday, and Sunday during the first three weekends of the 17-day meet. The coverage will mirror the expanded programming dedicated to Keeneland in April.
“TVG’s commitment to providing the widest possible exposure for our fall stakes races will definitely have a positive impact,” said Keeneland president Nick Nicholson. “This level of TV coverage, together with the larger fields we attract with the new Polytrack surface and the excitement of the Breeders’ Cup Challenge races, will hopefully produce one of the best fall seasons we’ve ever had at Keeneland.”
TVG will broadcast live from Keeneland beginning Oct. 5 at 1 p.m. EST as FallStars Weekend gets under way. Todd Schrupp, Hall of Fame jockey Gary Stevens, former trainer Frank Lyons, and reporter Jill Byrne will be on site to provide insights and analysis of the opening weekend action. The weekend features four grade I stakes, including the $500,000 Darley Alcibiades, $500,000 Lane’s End Breeders’ Futurity, $600,000 Shadwell Turf Mile, and $500,000 Juddmonte Spinster Stakes.
Saturday at Keeneland promises high drama, as four of the five races on the card are Breeders’ Cup Challenge races. The winners of the Turf Mile and Breeders’ Futurity, as well as the winners of the $400,000 First Lady (gr. II) and $250,000 Phoenix (gr. III), earn automatic invitations to the $23-million Breeders’ Cup World Championships in their respective divisions. Sunday’s Spinster and the three Breeders’ Cup Challenge races at Oak Tree later that day are the last “Win and You’re In” races of the season.
TVG will air all races from Keeneland live throughout the fall meeting, together with special edition programming including Starting Gate and Racing Coast to Coast.