
Kentucky Derby 2025 preview: Coal Battle

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NBC Sports
01-07-2025
- NBC Sports
AHMED FAREED NAMED STUDIO HOST FOR NBC SPORTS' BIG TEN COLLEGE COUNTDOWN AND MONDAY NIGHT NBA COVERAGE
Beginning in August, Fareed Will Host NBC Sports' Weekly Primetime College Football Studio Show on Saturday Nights on NBC and Peacock After Football, Fareed Will Host NBC Sports' NBA Studio Show on Monday Nights Exclusively on Peacock STAMFORD, Conn. – July 1, 2025 – Ahmed Fareed has been named NBC Sports' new host of Big Ten College Countdown, its weekly Saturday night primetime college football studio show that begins in August. Following the football season, he will also anchor NBC Sports' Monday night NBA coverage, presented exclusively on Peacock. An extremely versatile host, Fareed has already worked on many of NBC Sports' biggest events and across numerous sports and properties, including the Paris, Beijing, Tokyo, PyeongChang, and Rio Olympics; the Paris and Beijing Paralympics; Premier League; Major League Baseball; college football and basketball; horse racing, and more. 'College football under the lights is sacred, and we've got the crew to match its energy. Plus, helping shape our NBA coverage in its return to NBC Sports? I can't wait to start,' Fareed said. 'I'm thankful to be trusted with these roles. I'm even more motivated by the responsibility that comes with them.' In May, Fareed hosted the majority of the 151st Kentucky Derby in place of Mike Tirico, who left following an allergic reaction. His performance was critically acclaimed, with The Athletic writing, 'Fareed seamlessly handled the host role and found easy chemistry with hosts Jerry Bailey and Randy Moss. Excellent work.' 'Ahmed has repeatedly demonstrated his passion for storytelling, love of college football, and ability to meet the big moments,' said Sam Flood, Executive Producer, NBC Sports. 'He's a wonderful teammate who makes every event he touches feel bigger and forms an instant connection with his analysts. Ahmed's leadership and presence will continue to be a tremendous asset to our coverage of these premier properties.' Fareed, who worked as the in-stadium host and occasional studio host on NBC Sports' first two season of Big Ten football coverage, replaces Maria Taylor as the host of Big Ten College Countdown as she pivots to a new NBA role. Peacock will present exclusive national Monday night NBA games starting this fall as part of NBCUniversal's new media rights agreement with the NBA. Additionally, NBC and Peacock will present doubleheaders on Tuesday nights beginning in October. After Sunday Night Football coverage concludes in Jan. 2026, NBC Sports will launch Sunday Night Basketball across NBC and Peacock, debuting on Feb. 1. As previously announced, Taylor will host Sunday and Tuesday nights. Fareed has prior experience working on the NBA, serving as a host on NBC Sports Bay Area's coverage of the Golden State Warriors and Sacramento Kings from 2013-2018. During his tenure with Bay Area, he covered three Warriors NBA championships (2015, 2017, 2018) and five postseason appearances. Fareed won a Sports Emmy as part of NBCUniversal's coverage of the 2024 Paris Olympics, which was honored as Outstanding Live Special – Championship Event. For more information on Fareed, click here. *** In July 2024, NBCUniversal and the NBA announced an 11-year agreement to present NBA and WNBA regular-season and playoff basketball games across numerous platforms beginning with the 2025-26 season. Peacock will livestream exclusive national Monday night games while NBC/Peacock will present doubleheaders on Tuesday nights. NBC Sports will launch Sunday Night Basketball in 2026 across NBC and Peacock, providing NBA fans with three consecutive nights of national coverage across NBCUniversal platforms during the second half of the regular season. For more information on the agreement, click here. NBC Sports has already announced that Jamal Crawford, Reggie Miller, and Grant Hill will serve as game analysts; Carmelo Anthony and Vince Carter as studio analysts; Maria Taylor as studio host; and Mike Tirico and Noah Eagle as play-by-play voices. Michael Jordan has been announced as a special contributor. Emmy Award-winning producer Frank DiGraci is NBC Sports' NBA coordinating producer. In a nod to its original era of NBA coverage from 1990-2002, NBC Sports is bringing back Roundball Rock, one of the most iconic and beloved theme songs in sports history, and will use an AI-generated voice of the late Jim Fagan, a longtime NBC Sports narrator whose voice was synonymous with its NBA coverage and promotion. Additional information about NBC Sports' 2025-26 NBA coverage will be announced soon. ABOUT NBC SPORTS NBC Sports connects sports fans to the moments that matter most with premier live events, insightful studio shows, and compelling original programming. As the sports division of NBCUniversal, NBC Sports produces, programs, and promotes premier content across numerous linear and digital platforms, including NBC and Peacock. NBC Sports possesses an unparalleled collection of media rights agreements, partnering and presenting many of the most prestigious sports properties in the world: the International Olympic Committee, International Paralympic Committee, United States Olympic and Paralympic Committee, the NFL, NBA, WNBA, Big Ten Conference, Big East Conference, Notre Dame, NASCAR, PGA TOUR, USGA, PGA of America, The R&A, Churchill Downs, Premier League, and many more. It is renowned for making big events bigger and has produced some of the most-watched sporting events in U.S. media history, including Olympic Games, Super Bowls, and Sunday Night Football, primetime television's No. 1 show for 14 consecutive years. --NBC SPORTS--
Yahoo
01-07-2025
- Yahoo
Fan Favorite Coal Battle Chasing 'Respect' In Indiana Derby
Fan Favorite Coal Battle Chasing 'Respect' In Indiana Derby originally appeared on Paulick Report. Nine 3-year-olds will enter the starting gate Saturday, July 5, for the 31st running of the Grade 3, $300,000 Indiana Derby at Horseshoe Indianapolis in Shelbyville, Ind. First post for the 13-race card is noon, with the Indiana Derby set as Race 12 with an estimated post time of 6:33 p.m. One horse that received a lot of attention during the Kentucky Derby is Coal Battle from the barn of 72-year-old trainer Lonnie Briley. The Coal Front colt was a winner in the G3 Rebel Stakes before finishing third in the G1 Arkansas Derby and heading on to the Kentucky Derby (where he finished 11th). He comes into the Indiana Derby off a third-place finish in the G3 Matt Winn at Churchill Downs. Bethany Taylor, assistant trainer to Lonnie Briley, trainer of Coal Battle said, 'Lonnie and the other owner (Rob Norman) made the decision to run him in the Indiana Derby. We needed a race between the Matt Winn and the Ellis Park Derby. He's doing great. He's very happy, bucking and playing. He's his normal self.' Advertisement Coal Battle was third by a total of 1 1/4 lengths in Churchill Downs' G3 Matt Winn behind Grade 1 winners East Avenue and Burnham Square in his last start. He's ready to go for a start in the Indiana Derby. 'It was super tough,' noted Taylor, who also serves as the colt's exercise rider. 'There wasn't quite enough pace in there for us, so he didn't show that closing kick he normally does. He's not always gotten a ton of respect in the races we've put him in. Maybe now he'll get a little more respect.' Trainer Brad Cox will attempt to win his third straight Indiana Derby title with Instant Replay, who has drawn post nine. The Maximum Security colt comes into the race off a win in the Texas Derby at Lone Star. Overall, the sophomore, owned by Mary and Gary West, has won four of eight starts in his career and is two for two at the Indiana Derby distance of one and one-sixteenth miles. 'It's a good spot for him,' noted Cox. 'Obviously, we don't have to ship quite as far. It's a solid race, but I think he fits with them. Hopefully he takes the next step. I think he ran a really good race in Texas and beat a decent group. I think the water is a little deeper here, that this is a little better group of horses.' On going for third straight win and fourth overall in the Indiana Derby, Cox noted: 'It's a race that has been good to us. We're hoping this horse can be right there and move forward to some bigger and better things down the road.' Joining Instant Replay as a contender for the Indiana Derby title is Publisher from the Steve Asmussen barn. The American Pharoah colt, who was a $600,000 purchase as a yearling, was on the Derby trail earlier this year, competing in the top three-year-old races en route to a start in the Kentucky Derby his last outing. He comes back to the track off a two-month layoff and will be ridden by Hall of Fame Jockey Mike Smith from post one. The field for the Grade 3, $300,000 Indiana Derby Publisher (Mike Smith); Master Controller (Chris Emigh); Coal Battle (Corey Lanerie); Shan (Evin Roman); Chunk of Gold (Jareth Loveberry); Tip Top Thomas (John Velazquez); Big Truzz (Declan Cannon); Brotha Keny (Joe Ramos); and Instant Replay (Luan Machado). Advertisement Both Evin Roman and Joseph Ramos, a two-time leading jockey at Horseshoe Indianapolis, are members of the local jockey colony at Horseshoe Indianapolis. Also on the Saturday card is the 30th running of the Grade 3 $200,000 Indiana Oaks, presented by Daily Racing Form. The race features six three-year-old fillies. Deloraine, Graded Stakes placed entry for Godolphin and trainer Eoin Harty, will begin from post three with Mike Smith aboard. The Candy Ride filly finished third in both the Grade 3 Florida Oaks and Grade 3 Gazelle at Aqueduct, her last two races before the Indiana Oaks. The Indiana Oaks will be run at approximately 5:55 p.m. as Race 11 just before the Indiana Derby. A total of eight premier races will be featured on Indiana Derby Day. The afternoon program is complemented by numerous activities including a $3,000 Derby Megabet, $2,500 Derby Legends Handicapping Contest, courtesy of the Indiana Horsemen's Benevolent and Protective Association, $1,000 Derby Hat Contest, courtesy of the Indiana Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders Association, cigar rolling station, strolling entertainment, food trucks and more. Free parking and general admission are available for the Indiana Derby, which is open to guests of all ages on the racing side of the property. The 23rd season of live Thoroughbred and Quarter Horse racing runs through Thursday, Nov. 13. For more information on racing at Horseshoe Indianapolis, visit or find details on social media @HSIndyRacing. This story was originally reported by Paulick Report on Jun 30, 2025, where it first appeared.


USA Today
30-05-2025
- USA Today
Panthers WR Xavier Legette may be taking another sport by storm
Panthers WR Xavier Legette may be taking another sport by storm The legend of Carolina Panthers wide receiver Xavier Legette continues to grow. On Wednesday, the second-year pass catcher attended Game 5 of the NHL's Eastern Conference Finals between the Florida Panthers and the hometown Carolina Hurricanes. Legette, thanks to Bleacher Report, was mic'd up for the occasion—and he did not disappoint. Check it out: Legette's fun-filled offseason also featured a stop at Churchill Downs, where he served as a correspondent for the NFL during the 151st Kentucky Derby. Needless to say, his lovable personality and passion for horses made him one of the stars in Louisville earlier this month. Oh, and he might have won over the crowd at the Lenovo Center as well . . . Unfortunately for Legette and the Caniacs, the Hurricanes dropped the game and the series in a 5-3 loss. But hey, at least some kind of Panther—albeit the one from Miami—came out with a win. Follow @ThePanthersWire on Twitter/X for more Panthers content.