ABC/ESPN bows out of Belmont discussion

Disney Corp.’s group of TV outlets officially has withdrawn its curiosity about showing the Belmont Stakes (G1) in 2011, ignites further assumption that 3 Triple Crown races might be underneath the identical TV umbrella for the first time since 2005.

This year’s Belmont was the lowest-rated broadcast of a Triple Crown race in television history as Drosselmeyer’s victory registered a 3.0 rating.

ABC/ESPN begins the air the third jewel in 2006 following the New York Racing Association conducted diverse negotiations for its race whilst the Preakness Stakes (G1) and Kentucky Derby (G1) remained on NBC, where all 3 American classics have been because 2001. ABC had broadcasted all three races on or after 1986 to 2000.

“Our contract was up, and we elected to not renew our agreement,” an ESPN statement released on Tuesday said. “It did not make very good company sense to resume and then we moved on and can focus our horse racing coverage about the Breeders’ Cup [World Championships on November 4-5 at Churchill Downs in Louisville].”

NBC had no statement about this week’s progress, but concerning broadcasting the Preakness and Belmont, NBC Sports spokesman Adam Freifeld said on February four, “[NBC] is constantly thinking about wonderful properties.”

Part of some compromise relating to the Preakness on May well 21 possibly will be that televise from the Black-Eyed Susan Stakes (G2) about the earlier day at Pimlico Race Course. latest for this year at Frank Stronach-owned paths is really a $5.5-million bonus knot race for three-year-olds using the Preakness along with a $2.2-million bonus for three-year-old fillies along with the Black-Eyed Susan.