Contact: Eric Wing (212) 230-9511
Jeff Shapes (203) 249-9202

ESPN NETWORKS TO PRESENT EXTENSIVE PREAKNESS PROGRAMMING BEGINNING MAY 17; SIX HOURS OF LIVE COVERAGE ON PREAKNESS DAY

The ESPN networks and the NTRA will air extensive Preakness Stakes programming beginning Wednesday, May 17. Highlights include SportsCenter at the Preakness Draw (May 17), Wire to Wire at the Preakness (May 18); 12 Pimlico stakes races, including the Pimlico Special and the Woodford Reserve Black-Eyed Susan (May 19); Handicapping the Preakness (May 19) and Breakfast at Pimlico (May 20). There will be six hours of live coverage on Preakness Day (May 20).

Offering their expertise will be ESPN’s regular racing crew of Kenny Mayne, Jerry Bailey, Randy Moss, Jeannine Edwards and Hank Goldberg. Joining them will be Rece Davis, Thea Andrews, Jay Harris, Jay Privman and Dick Jerardi.

• Kentucky Derby winner Barbaro training and relaxing at the Fair Hill Training Center in Maryland;
• A profile of Barbaro’s trainer Michael Matz, and a special look at his heroic effort in saving three children from an Iowa plane crash;
• A profile of Barbaro’s owners Roy and Gretchen Jackson;
• Bailey dissecting a tape of the Derby with winning jockey Edgar Prado and Kent Desormeaux, rider of Sweetnorthernsaint, the Derby favorite who is expected to run in the Preakness;
• Sweetnorthernsaint, the Maryland-based horse competing in his own backyard;
• A look back at some of the most historic Preaknesses;
• A history of Pimlico Race Course.

ABC Sports is home to the Belmont Stakes, set for June 10, and ESPN will air the Breeders’ Cup World Championships on November 4.

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