"The JRA races provide one of the most exciting simulcast signals in the market place," said Susie Sourwine, Emerald Downs' vice president of marketing. "It has been embraced by bettors from across the U.S. and Canada."
In 2005, TVG broke new ground by becoming the first U.S. network to air live racing coverage from Japan, including pioneering on-site live coverage of the Japan Cup (Jpn-I). On the heels of that, TVG is expanding its live coverage from Japan in 2006 in partnership with Emerald Downs, and will air 14 programs, beginning Feb. 18 and concluding with the presentation of the Japan Cup Nov. 25. All TVG programming from Japan will air at 7 p.m. (EST). TVG is able to air Japanese racing as result of an agreement with the Japan Racing Association (JRA), which has granted the station with exclusive Japanese racing telecasts and advanced deposit wagering rights in the U.S. TVG's opening night coverage from Japan will feature the February Stakes (Jpn-I), a mile race for 4-year-olds and up. "We received tremendous positive feedback on last year's programming and are delighted to be able to expand coverage in 2006," said Tony Allevato, TVG senior vice president and executive producer. "Japanese racing features full fields and some of the greatest horses in the world, as well as breeding lines that include stallions that were born and raced in the U.S." Wagering on the Japanese races through TVG will come via Emerald Downs as the track serves as North American host for JRA racing. Emerald Downs holds the rights to the OTB business on JRA Racing.