Horse Racing Radio Network (HRRN), the Eclipse Award-winning broadcast
organization based in Lexington, Kentucky, announced Wednesday they have reached
an agreement with all three Triple Crown racetracks for HRRN to provide the
national radio broadcast of the 2011 Triple Crown. Having reached an agreement
with Churchill Downs Incorporated, HRRN will provide the exclusive broadcast of
the 137th Kentucky Derby (G1) on May 7, before moving on to Pimlico Race Course
in Baltimore, Marlyland, for the 136th Preakness S. (G1) on May 21, then
traveling to New York for the final jewel in the crown, the 143rd Belmont S.
(G1) on June 11.
Having broadcast the Preakness Stakes since 2008 and providing national
coverage of the Belmont Stakes three of the past four years, HRRN will broadcast
the Kentucky Derby for the first time in 2011.
“The Triple Crown is the most coveted title in our sport and the Kentucky
Derby is the most prestigious event in Thoroughbred racing,” said Mike Penna,
President of HRRN. “As a life-long racing fan, the opportunity to broadcast the
Triple Crown is a tremendous honor and privilege. We take great pride in making
our listeners feel as if they are sitting next to us during our broadcasts and
look forward to showcasing these days to racing fans around the world.”
“We are excited to work with the experienced team of broadcasters and racing
journalists at HRRN to bring the excitement of Kentucky Derby 137 home to radio
and online listeners around the world,” Churchill Downs Racetrack President
Kevin Flanery said. “From the rich pageantry to the colorful personalities to
the legendary ‘Run for the Roses’ itself, we know the team at HRRN will help us
share this year’s unforgettable Derby experiences with race fans who can’t join
us in person but will certainly join us in spirit as we crown another Derby
champion on the first Saturday in May.”
“We are pleased the Preakness Stakes will be covered by HRRN for the fourth
consecutive year,” said Mike Gathagan, Maryland Jockey Club Vice President of
Communications. “The network’s national radio broadcast allows racing fans from
around the world to be a live witness to this first-class event at Pimlico Race
Course.”
“We are thrilled that once again HRRN will be providing coverage of New
York’s premier race, the Belmont Stakes,” NYRA Director of Communications and
Media Relations Dan Silver said. “With the NBC Sports Group uniting the Derby,
Preakness, and Belmont Stakes on television, and HRRN uniting all three races on
radio, it promises to be a great year of coverage for our sport’s Triple Crown.”
HRRN’s Triple Crown broadcasts will air live from 5-7 (ET) for all three
legs, and will be carried on HRRN affiliates throughout the country. HRRN’s
coverage will also be broadcast to service men and women around the world on the
American Forces Network, and streamed live on the HRRN website,
www.horseracingradio.net.
HRRN has scheduled 30 hours of Triple Crown coverage beginning Wednesday, May
4, with their popular Derby Countdown Show hosted live from Churchill Downs. In
addition, HRRN will broadcast several major prep races starting with Saturday’s
Tampa Bay Derby (G2).
A complete broadcast schedule can be found on the HRRN site.