
Belmont Winner Rags to Riches in League of Her Own
The horse racing world like all other areas of society continues to make changes in response to the COVID-19 pandemic and public health crisis. Most racetracks currently operating are doing so without spectators, and have instituted strict safety screening protocols for essential employees who are already on the grounds to provide daily care for horses. Charities are ramping up services to help track workers during these hard times, including the Race Track Chaplaincy, New York Division, while many other organizations including the Jockey Club Safety Net Foundation are redirecting resources to support medical efforts to combat the spread of the virus and support backstretch workers. (All proceeds from the Old Smoke T-shirt on sale below will go to the TJC Safety Net Foundation.)
Starting Wednesday, July 22, racing ramps up at the Saratoga Race Course meet in upstate New York as it fills out a Wednesday-Sunday weekly schedule of racing that will continue through Labor Day. The upcoming week's slate is highlighted by the Grade 1 Alfred G. Vanderbilt Stakes on Saturday, July 25.
Saratoga’s meet, which will be held without spectators, will be covered in its entirety on the Fox Sports show "Saratoga Live." Air times for "Saratoga Live" are on either FS1 or FS2 according to the schedule below. The show will also air on MSG+ and on regional Fox outlets Prime Ticket and Fox Sports San Diego – check NYRA’s website for those dates and times.
TVG continues its usual schedule of broadcasting live racing from tracks around the country including comprehensive coverage of Del Mar's meet in California.
On Thursday evening, America’s Best Racing continues its live-streaming program in partnership with Woodbine focusing on Thoroughbred and Standardbred racing at the Ontario track, a favorite venue for horseplayers. "Woodbine Live" is hosted by ABR’s Dan Tordjman along with Ashley Mailloux and Emily Gullikson and will be shown on ABR’s Facebook Live and YouTube pages. The live-streaming show coincides with Woodbine’s own "Racing Night Live" program, which is available for viewing on The Sports Network (TSN) in Canada and in the U.S. will be shown on ABR’s YouTube channel.
A don’t-miss highlight of this weekend’s radio coverage is "The Winner’s Circle," America’s Best Racing’s podcast presented by NYRA Bets. The show, hosted by Bram Weinstein, airs at 10 a.m. ET on Saturdays through Nov. 7 on SB Nation Radio. Subscribe to "The Winner's Circle" on Apple Podcasts to listen to archived episodes.
The July 25 "Winner's Circle" podcast recaps the first half of a very eventful 2020 in horse racing by looking back at several of the show's best interviews from earlier in the year, including Hall of Fame trainer D. Wayne Lukas.
Here’s a rundown of television and radio coverage for the upcoming weekend.
TV/Livestream Schedule
Date |
Program |
Time |
Network |
July 22 |
"Saratoga Live" |
1 p.m.-6 p.m. |
|
July 22 |
Live coverage of horse racing |
post time varies |
|
July 23 |
"Saratoga Live" |
1 p.m.-6 p.m. |
|
July 23 |
Live coverage of horse racing |
post time varies |
|
July 23 |
"Woodbine Live" presented by America's Best Racing |
6 p.m.-8 p.m. |
|
July 23 |
Woodbine's "Racing Night Live" |
6 p.m.-8 p.m. |
|
July 24 |
"Saratoga Live" |
1 p.m.-6:30 p.m. |
|
July 24 |
Live coverage of horse racing |
post time varies |
|
July 25 |
"Saratoga Live" |
1 p.m.-3:30 p.m. on FS2, 3:30-7 p.m. on FS1 |
|
July 25 |
Live coverage of horse racing |
post time varies |
|
July 26 |
"Saratoga Live" |
1 p.m.-3 p.m. on FS1, 3-6:30 p.m. on FS2 |
|
July 26 |
Live coverage of horse racing |
post time varies |
Note: All times listed are Eastern
Radio Schedule
Date | Program | Time | Network |
July 22 | At The Races with Steve Byk | 9 a.m. | Thoroughbred Radio Network |
July 22 | Red Brand Radio | 3 p.m. | HRRN |
July 22 | Traine Talk Presented by Fasig-Tipton | 6 p.m. | HRRN |
July 23 | At The Races with Steve Byk | 9 a.m. | Thoroughbred Radio Network |
July 23 | Red Brand Radio | 3 p.m. | HRRN |
July 23 | Brisnet Call-In Show | 6 p.m. | HRRN |
July 24 | At The Races with Steve Byk | 9 a.m. | Thoroughbred Radio Network |
July 24 | Red Brand Radio | 3 p.m. | HRRN |
July 24 | Weekend Stakes Preview Presented by NYRA Bets | 6 p.m. | HRRN |
July 25 | Equine Forum Show | 8 a.m. | HRRN |
July 25 | Off to the Races on The Racing Biz Radio Network | 10 a.m. | ESPN 950 AM |
July 25 | "The Winner's Circle" presented by NYRA Bets, with host Bram Weinstein and guests including D. Wayne Lukas | 10 a.m. | SB Nation Radio |
Note: All times listed are Eastern