NBC Sports will expand its horse racing programming in 2019, including a collaboration with Churchill Downs on a new magazine-style series and the addition of a pair of crucial prep races.

In partnership with Churchill Downs, NBC Sports will debut a new Road to the Kentucky Derby series this spring, leading up to NBC's coverage of the 145th Kentucky Derby presented by Woodford Reserve on May 4.

In March, NBCSN will debut the first of the four 30-minute Road to the Kentucky Derby episodes, which will showcase the stars of the sport, telling the stories behind the horses and the legendary race.

Produced by Churchill Downs, the episodes will provide viewers with an inside look of the extensive preparations for the first leg of the Triple Crown. Keith Wetzler, executive producer of broadcast at Churchill Downs, will produce the series.

In addition, NBC Sports will add the Louisiana Derby and Arkansas Derby to its lineup of 2019 Triple Crown prep races on NBCSN next spring. The first episode of the new Road to the Kentucky Derby series will debut following the Louisiana Derby March 23.

NBCSN is home to the six biggest prep races in 2019, leading up to NBC Sports' coverage of the run for the roses at Churchill on the first Saturday in May. A month of key prep race coverage on NBCSN begins with the Louisiana Derby, followed one week later by the Florida Derby on March 30. Racing continues on NBCSN with "triplecast" coverage of the Wood Memorial Stakes, the Toyota Blue Grass Stakes, and the Santa Anita Derby on April 6, before the Arkansas Derby on April 13.

NBC Sports' coverage of the 2019 horse racing season begins with the Pegasus World Cup Invitational on Jan. 26 at 4:30 pm ET on NBC.

Below is NBC Sports Group’s 2019 prep race schedule leading up to the 2019 Kentucky Derby (All Times ET):