The Road to the Kentucky Derby series starts with a 30-minute special previewing the televised races and the Triple Crown season. The special will air on NBC Sports Network on Saturday, March 23, from 6 – 6:30 p.m. ET.
The racing telecasts kick off Saturday, March 30, with the Besilu Florida Derby from Gulfstream Park and the Louisiana Derby from Fair Grounds Race Course & Slots on NBC Sports Network from 6 – 7 p.m. ET.
The Wood Memorial from Aqueduct Racetrack and the Santa Anita Derby from Santa Anita Park will air on NBC Sports Network on Saturday, April 6, from 6 – 7:30 p.m. ET.
The series will conclude on Saturday, April 13, with two and half hours of continuous coverage spread across two networks.
A 90-minute live broadcast on NBC featuring the Toyota Blue Grass Stakes from Keeneland Race Course will be followed by a one-hour broadcast on the NBC Sports Network featuring the Arkansas Derby. The NBC telecast will air from 4:30 – 6 p.m. ET; the NBC Sports Network telecast will air from 6 – 7 p.m. ET.
All six races fall into the highest tier on Churchill Downs’ new points system to determine starters for the 139th running of the Kentucky Derby on Saturday, May 4, on NBC. The points system features 36 stakes races overall and 17 marquee events for 3-year-old Thoroughbreds that comprise a 10-week run up to the first Saturday in May.
ROAD TO THE KENTUCKY DERBY COVERAGE (All Times ET)
Saturday, March 23, 2013, 6 – 6:30 p.m. (NBC Sports Network)
Road to the Kentucky Derby preview show
Saturday, March 30, 2013, 6 – 7 p.m. (NBC Sports Network)
Florida Derby (Gulfstream Park) and Louisiana Derby (Fair Grounds Race Course & Slots)
Saturday, April 6, 2013, 6 – 7:30 p.m. (NBC Sports Network)
Wood Memorial (Aqueduct Racetrack) and Santa Anita Derby (Santa Anita Park)
Saturday, April 13, 2013, 4:30 – 6 p.m. (NBC)
Toyota Blue Grass Stakes (Keeneland)
Saturday, April 13, 2013, 6 – 7 p.m. (NBC Sports Network)
Arkansas Derby (Oaklawn Park)
Road to the Kentucky Derby Package $79.95
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