The Horse Racing Radio Network announced Feb. 20 it has reached an agreement with all three Triple Crown racetracks for HRRN to provide the national radio broadcast of the 2013 Triple Crown races.
In addition to the 139th Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (gr. I) May 4, HRRN will provide exclusive broadcast of the May 3 Kentucky Oaks (gr. I), both from Churchill Downs. HRRN will then travel to Pimlico Race Course for coverage of the 138th Preakness Stakes (gr. I) May 18, followed by the 145th Belmont Stakes (gr. I) June 8 from Belmont Park.
This will be the third consecutive year HRRN has been named the exclusive radio partner of the Oaks and Derby. It has provided the exclusive national broadcast the Preakness Stakes since 2008 and the Belmont Stakes five of the past six years.
In addition, HRRN will host a series of 11 broadcasts showcasing major Kentucky Derby prep races included in the new points qualifying system. The "Road to the Kentucky Derby" series begins Feb. 23 with the Fountain of Youth (gr. II) and Risen Star Stakes (gr. II), the first two races in the Kentucky Derby Championship Series, and concludes with the Derby Trial (gr. III) on opening night of Churchill's spring meet April 27.
A complete Road to the Kentucky Derby schedule along with SiriusXM and affiliate information can be found on the HRRN website, www.horseracingradio.net.
"The Kentucky Derby and Triple Crown events are recognized around the globe by the most casual of sports fans and even by non-sports enthusiasts," said Mike Penna, president of HRRN, in a release. "As a life-long racing fan, it is a tremendous honor and privilege to provide the pageantry of these prestigious events to our worldwide audience."
"The HRRN broadcast team combines insight and experience with a clear respect and passion for Thoroughbred racing in its radio coverage of the Kentucky Derby and the Triple Crown," said Churchill Downs Racetrack president Kevin Flanery.
"Everyone at Pimlico takes a tremendous amount of pride in making Preakness a first-class event," said Mike Gathagan, Maryland Jockey Club vice president of communications. "HRRN's national coverage will allow racing fans from coast to coast to feel as if they are on-site for one of the nation's premier races."
"NYRA is once again pleased to be part of HRRN's Triple Crown broadcasts," said Rodnell Workman, vice president and chief marketing officer for NYRA. "Not only does Belmont Park host the crucial final jewel, but Aqueduct Racetrack is also home to two key prep races in the Gotham (gr. III) and the Wood Memorial (gr. I), and we look forward to HRRN's coverage of all three events."
Each of HRRN's Triple Crown broadcasts will air live from 5-7 p.m. ET, and will be carried on HRRN affiliates throughout the country as well as on SiriusXM satellite radio. Coverage will also be broadcast to U.S. service men and women around the globe on the American Forces Network, and streamed live on the HRRN website, www.horseracingradio.net.
With the launch of the Road to the Kentucky Derby series, HRRN has scheduled more than 45 hours of on-site Kentucky Derby and Triple Crown related coverage. Live Derby week coverage begins May 1 with HRRN's "Derby Countdown Show" hosted live from Churchill Downs.
