As I mentioned in my last post, I'm sooo looking forward to track season. Leave it to NYRA to dampen my enthusiasm - just a bit perhaps - but things like this disappoint me.
Let me explain. One of the things I like doing is taping the stakes races when they are on the major networks such as ABC and ESPN. They really do a good job showcasing the city and the track, and I see camera views and hear opinions I am not normally exposed to. I certainly like hearing Jerry Bailey's commentary, and even though I already know what happened at the race, because I was there, I still enjoy watching the TV coverage of it afterwards. It's also fun for my friends and family that couldn't make it that weekend (because many live in Buffalo or other places) to watch it on TV - it gives them a connection to me as well as Saratoga at the time.
So, like a kid before Christmas, I'm getting excited. I want to know all the details about everything, so when I started to think about the television schedule, I went to where I figured the information should be - the NYRA web site. Well, you know where this story is going, but stay with me so I can vent just a little then pass along some information.
Sure enough, I hit the site, and I go to the Saratoga link. The anticipation builds (hey I never claimed to have a great life). I'm on the Saratoga page and, well, lets just say I'm starting to get underwhelmed because the last news item is from more than two weeks ago (June 25th). I go to the bar down the left side, here I am at the "Broadcast" subheading, yes, getting closer... now the "television/radio" link. Yes, here I am (click), and.....drumroll please....
"September 2007 NYRA broadcast schedule".
Uhhhhhhh. Downer.
Come on NYRA, the Saratoga season is almost here, it's been 2008 for several months. We need just a little updating. Please?
So anyways, I searched diligently (OK, about 4 seconds on Google) and found the National Thoroughbred Racing Association site page which lists the TV schedule for thoroughbred races. According to that site, the major networks will televise at Saratoga three times during the 2008 meet:
- The four Stakes Races on July 26 will be televised on ABC starting at 4pm.
- The Test stakes will be televised on ESPN on August 2 at 5pm.
- The Travers stakes and two other stakes races will be televised on ESPN on August 23rd.
Of course, there will be many other races televised on HRTV and TVG, but I was more interested in the major networks' telecasts. On a related note, The Times Union Talking Horses blog has a recent post lauding ESPN's efforts televising horse racing.
Well, the point of this post was to list for you the major TV networks telecasts at Saratoga this year, but I would have much preferred to simply link you to the NYRA site and not have a story to tell.
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