
SLIDESHOW: More Water, No Problem: Fans Enjoy Rain-Drenched Derby Day at Churchill Downs
The upcoming weekend marks the high point of prep season for the 2022 Kentucky Derby Presented by Woodford Reserve, with three major races scheduled that each offer a total of 170 qualifying points to the top four finishers. Saturday afternoon, April 9, Aqueduct hosts the Wood Memorial Stakes Presented by Resorts World Casino, Keeneland Race Course runs the Toyota Blue Grass Stakes, and Santa Anita Park presents the Runhappy Santa Anita Derby.
All three races will be televised during an hour-and-a-half show on NBC, wrapping up the network’s “Road to the Kentucky Derby” series this winter and spring. The show begins at 4:30 p.m. ET and will feature reporting, analysis, and handicapping from NBC Sports’ award-winning team. Ahmed Fareed hosts Saturday’s coverage, alongside analysts Hall of Fame jockey Jerry Bailey and Randy Moss alongside Steve Kornacki, who will be at his Big Board to analyze the Kentucky Derby points standings. Reporters Britney Eurton will be on-site in Santa Anita, Matt Bernier will be in New York, and Kenny Rice will be at Keeneland.
The Wood, Blue Grass, and Santa Anita Derby will also be shown live on TVG as part of that network’s comprehensive coverage.
TVG is the go-to network for in-depth coverage of the Keeneland April meet as well. That meet begins Friday, April 8 and runs through Friday, April 29. Each day of live racing, TVG will produce “Today at Keeneland.” The 30-minute preview show includes handicapping picks and discussion of horses of interest. Racing analysts Gabby Gaudet and Scott Hazelton host the program, which airs live at 11:30 a.m. ET every race day on TVG2, Keeneland.com, Keeneland Select, and Keeneland’s YouTube channel.
Racing from Aqueduct and Oaklawn Park is showcased on “America’s Day at the Races.” The NYRA-produced show airs from Thursday to Sunday on FS2 and FS1 – check the schedule below.
A highlight of livestreaming broadcasts for Derby prep week is ABR’s “Santa Anita: Road to the Derby LIVE!” show Saturday, April 9 beginning at 4:30 p.m. ET. Hosts Joey Mulinaro and Dan Tordjman anchor this special Runhappy Santa Anita Derby edition of “Road to the Derby LIVE!” directly from Santa Anita Park. They'll be joined by surprise guests and handicappers and have live analysis right up until post time for the big race.
“Santa Anita: Road to the Derby LIVE!” will stream live on ABR’s Facebook, Twitter and YouTube channels, Santa Anita Park’s Facebook, Twitter and YouTube channels and on Joey Mulinaro’s Twitter channel.
On Wednesday, April 6, ABR’s new show “Devine and the Dog” is back beginning at 6 p.m. ET. Hosted by racing analyst Megan Devine and horseplayer and raconteur Chase Sessoms, aka “The Wolf of Oaklawn,” “Devine and the Dog” can be streamed on ABR’s Facebook, Twitter and YouTube channels.
The popular “La Trifecta” returns this Thursday, April 7 at 8 p.m. ET for a new show. Presented en Español, “La Trifecta” is hosted by Darwin Vizcaya, Claudia Spadaro, and Annise Montplaisir. This week’s show will be broadcast on ABR’s Facebook, Twitter and YouTube channels.
Once again, Keeneland will offer ways to engage Spanish-speaking fans of Thoroughbred racing during its Spring Meet through a series of livestreams, continuing its partnership with DRF en Español. Host and handicapper Roberto Rodriguez and race caller David Merida bring fans “Keeneland en Español” on Friday, Saturday and Sunday during opening weekend with full race-day coverage including race calls, analysis and interviews. “Keeneland en Español” begins at 12:30 p.m. ET on Friday and Sunday and noon ET on Saturday and is available on YouTube on the Keeneland en Español channel and the DRF en Español channel.
Here’s a guide to TV, radio, and livestreaming coverage for the week:
TV Schedule
Date |
Program |
Time |
Network/Social Media |
April 6 |
Live coverage of horse racing |
post time varies |
|
April 6 |
"Devine and the Dog" |
6 p.m. |
|
April 7 |
"America's Day at the Races" |
1 p.m.-6 p.m. |
|
April 7 |
Live coverage of horse racing |
post time varies |
|
April 7 |
"La Trifecta" |
8 p.m. |
|
April 8 |
“Keeneland en Español” |
12:30 p.m. |
|
April 8 |
"America's Day at the Races" |
1 p.m.-6 p.m. |
|
April 8 |
Live coverage of horse racing including Keeneland's opening day card |
post time varies |
|
April 9 |
“Keeneland en Español” |
12 p.m. |
|
April 9 |
"America's Day at the Races" |
1:30 p.m.-4:30 p.m. and 5 p.m.-7 p.m. |
|
April 9 |
Broadcast of the Wood Memorial Stakes, Blue Grass Stakes, and Santa Anita Derby |
4:30 p.m.-6 p.m. |
|
April 9 |
"Santa Anita: Road to the Derby LIVE!" |
4:30 p.m. |
|
April 9 |
Live coverage of horse racing |
post time varies |
|
April 10 |
“Keeneland en Español” |
12:30 p.m. |
|
April 10 |
"America's Day at the Races" |
1 p.m.-4 p.m. on FS2; 4 p.m.-6:30 p.m. on FS1 |
|
April 10 |
Live coverage of horse racing |
post time varies |
Note: All times listed are Eastern
Radio Schedule
Date | Program | Time | Network |
April 6 | At The Races with Steve Byk | 9 a.m. | Thoroughbred Radio Network |
April 6 | Trainer Talk Presented by Fasig-Tipton | 6 p.m. | HRRN |
April 7 | At The Races with Steve Byk | 9 a.m. | Thoroughbred Radio Network |
April 7 | Race Day on HRRN | 4 p.m. | HRRN |
April 7 | Brisnet Call-In Show | 6 p.m. | HRRN |
April 8 | At The Races with Steve Byk | 9 a.m. | Thoroughbred Radio Network |
April 8 | RaceDay on HRRN | 4 p.m. | HRRN |
April 8 | Weekend Stakes Preview Presented by NYRA Bets | 6 p.m. | HRRN |
April 8 | Inside Churchill Downs | 6 p.m. | ESPN 680/105.7 |
April 9 | Equine Forum Presented by TwinSpires | 8 a.m. | HRRN |
April 9 | Off to the Races on The Racing Biz Radio Network | 10 a.m. | ESPN 950 AM |
Note: All times listed are Eastern