Latest news with #KentuckyOaks
Yahoo
5 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
2026 Kentucky Oaks Broadcast Moved To Primetime On NBC
2026 Kentucky Oaks Broadcast Moved To Primetime On NBC originally appeared on Paulick Report. NBC Sports will showcase the Longines Kentucky Oaks in primetime for the first time ever in 2026, it was announced July 24 by Churchill Downs Incorporated (Nasdaq: CHDN, 'CDI') and NBC 152nd Kentucky Oaks, featuring Thoroughbred racing's best 3-year-old fillies, will be presented on Friday, May 1, 2026, at 8 p.m. ET on NBC and Peacock. In addition to premier racing, Kentucky Oaks traditions centered around fashion and women's health advocacy will remain central pillars of the event pageantry—now culminating in a spectacular twilight finish.'We are excited to present the Kentucky Oaks in primetime for the first time ever,' said Jon Miller, president, acquisitions & partnerships, NBC Sports. 'With the Oaks on Friday night leading into the Kentucky Derby on the first Saturday in May, we can't wait to get back to Churchill Downs for another historic weekend of racing.' 'By moving the Kentucky Oaks to primetime, we're giving one of horse racing's most treasured traditions the national stage it deserves,' said CDI CEO Bill Carstanjen. 'This decision is rooted in our commitment to growing the sport, reaching new audiences and creating unforgettable experiences for our fans.'The Kentucky Derby stands as America's oldest continually held major sporting event. The 152nd Kentucky Derby is Saturday, May 2, 2026, on NBC and Peacock. The 151st Kentucky Derby on May 3, 2025, was the most-watched 'Run for the Roses' since 1989, with the audience peaking at 21.8 million viewers on NBC and Peacock as Sovereignty ran to May 2024, NBC Sports and Churchill Downs announced a multi-year extension of their historic partnership. The relationship, which began with the 2001 Kentucky Derby, will make NBC the longest-running home of the Kentucky Derby, as NBCUniversal will become the first media company to present the most prestigious event in horse racing for three decades (32 editions of the Kentucky Derby from 2001-32). This story was originally reported by Paulick Report on Jul 24, 2025, where it first appeared.
Yahoo
5 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
‘Very Brave': Fondly After Third Oaks Win In Monmouth Oaks
'Very Brave': Fondly After Third Oaks Win In Monmouth Oaks originally appeared on Paulick Report. There was a passing thought early in Fondly's career that her future was on the grass. Trainer Graham Motion wasn't against the idea, but he also wasn't convinced it was the right way to go with the filly at the outset.'I said to Aron (Wellman, the head of Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners, which co-owns Fondly with Madaket Stables), 'she handles the dirt pretty darn well, so we should probably start her on the dirt,'' said 3-year-old daughter of Upstart has since validated Motion's belief with victories in two Oaks, the most recent the Grade 3 Delaware Oaks on June 14. She will look to add to her growing resume in Saturday's G3, $250,000 Monmouth Oaks at Monmouth Park in Oceanport, N.J. The 101st edition of the Monmouth Oaks has attracted a field of seven for the 1 1/16 miles feature.'She's a filly we always liked a lot,' said Motion. 'She obviously has shown plenty of ability in the morning,'Unraced at 2, Fondly won at first asking by 4 lengths in maiden special weight company at Tampa Bay Downs on Feb. 14, following that with a victory in the Virginia Oaks at Colonial when Motion got ambitious with her, trying the G1 Kentucky Oaks next. Fondly finished 11th in that race but bounced back in her next start to win the Delaware Oaks by 3 lengths.'I think it may have been too much too soon for her,' Motion said of the Kentucky Oaks. 'We ended up on a bad track. It was just a lot. We threw a lot at her that day.' In the Delaware Oaks, despite a bobbled start, Fondly essentially went gate to wire under Irad Ortiz.'I thought Irad gave her a beautiful ride in the Delaware Oaks,' said Motion. 'He kind of had in his mind what he was going to do, and everything fell into place. She handled it very well.'Samuel Marin, coming off the first graded stakes win of his career with Surface to Air in last Saturday's G3 Monmouth Cup, has the call on Saturday.A $50,000 yearling purchase, the Kentucky-bred Fondly has already banked $339,200 with three victories in four career starts. The six-week spacing between her last start and this one is ideal, according to Motion.'I have no concerns about the timing of this race for her,' he said. 'I think the timing is good.' Though Fondly is the least experienced horse in the Monmouth Oaks field, she is the most accomplished, having beaten Black Eyed Susan runner-up Paris Lily by 3 ¾ lengths in the Delaware Oaks. Trained by Brendan Walsh, Paris Lily has leading jockey Paco Lopez listed to is confident his charge is ready for another challenge. She is out of the mare Lifetime, who produced 2024 G3 Peter Pan winner Antiquarian.'She is so straight forward,' he said. 'She's very professional. I normally work her on her own. She's push-button how she does things, and she has always been that way.'Obviously, she is very brave.'The field for the Monmouth Oaks from the rail out: Naked Eye, Ruth, Rosieontheriver, Paris Lily, Running Away, Pink Ruby, and Fondly. This story was originally reported by Paulick Report on Jul 24, 2025, where it first appeared.
Yahoo
6 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Kentucky Oaks moves to primetime on NBC Sports, Peacock for the first time ever in 2026
NBC Sports will showcase the Kentucky Oaks in primetime for the first time ever in 2026, it was announced today by Churchill Downs Incorporated (Nasdaq: CHDN, 'CDI') and NBC Sports. The 152nd Kentucky Oaks, featuring thoroughbred racing's best three-year-old fillies, will be presented on Friday, May 1, 2026, at 8 p.m. ET on NBC and Peacock. In addition to premier racing, Kentucky Oaks traditions centered around fashion and women's health advocacy will remain central pillars of the event pageantry—now culminating in a spectacular twilight finish. 'We are excited to present the Kentucky Oaks in primetime for the first time ever,' said Jon Miller, President, Acquisitions & Partnerships, NBC Sports. 'With the Oaks on Friday night leading into the Kentucky Derby on the first Saturday in May, we can't wait to get back to Churchill Downs for another historic weekend of racing.' 'By moving the Kentucky Oaks to primetime, we're giving one of horse racing's most treasured traditions the national stage it deserves,' said CDI CEO Bill Carstanjen. 'This decision is rooted in our commitment to growing the sport, reaching new audiences and creating unforgettable experiences for our fans.' The Kentucky Derby stands as America's oldest continually held major sporting event. The 152nd Kentucky Derby is Saturday, May 2, 2026, on NBC and Peacock. The 151st Kentucky Derby on May 3, 2025, was the most-watched 'Run for the Roses' since 1989, with the audience peaking at 21.8 million viewers on NBC and Peacock as Sovereignty ran to victory. In May 2024, NBC Sports and Churchill Downs announced a multi-year extension of their historic partnership. The relationship, which began with the 2001 Kentucky Derby, will make NBC the longest running home of the Kentucky Derby, as NBCUniversal will become the first media company to present the most prestigious event in horse racing for three decades (32 editions of the Kentucky Derby from 2001-32).
NBC Sports
6 days ago
- Sport
- NBC Sports
Kentucky Oaks moves to primetime on NBC Sports, Peacock for the first time ever in 2026
NBC Sports will showcase the Kentucky Oaks in primetime for the first time ever in 2026, it was announced today by Churchill Downs Incorporated (Nasdaq: CHDN, 'CDI') and NBC Sports. The 152nd Kentucky Oaks, featuring thoroughbred racing's best three-year-old fillies, will be presented on Friday, May 1, 2026, at 8 p.m. ET on NBC and Peacock. In addition to premier racing, Kentucky Oaks traditions centered around fashion and women's health advocacy will remain central pillars of the event pageantry—now culminating in a spectacular twilight finish. 'We are excited to present the Kentucky Oaks in primetime for the first time ever,' said Jon Miller, President, Acquisitions & Partnerships, NBC Sports. 'With the Oaks on Friday night leading into the Kentucky Derby on the first Saturday in May, we can't wait to get back to Churchill Downs for another historic weekend of racing.' 'By moving the Kentucky Oaks to primetime, we're giving one of horse racing's most treasured traditions the national stage it deserves,' said CDI CEO Bill Carstanjen. 'This decision is rooted in our commitment to growing the sport, reaching new audiences and creating unforgettable experiences for our fans.' The Kentucky Derby stands as America's oldest continually held major sporting event. The 152nd Kentucky Derby is Saturday, May 2, 2026, on NBC and Peacock. The 151st Kentucky Derby on May 3, 2025, was the most-watched 'Run for the Roses' since 1989, with the audience peaking at 21.8 million viewers on NBC and Peacock as Sovereignty ran to victory. In May 2024, NBC Sports and Churchill Downs announced a multi-year extension of their historic partnership. The relationship, which began with the 2001 Kentucky Derby, will make NBC the longest running home of the Kentucky Derby, as NBCUniversal will become the first media company to present the most prestigious event in horse racing for three decades (32 editions of the Kentucky Derby from 2001-32).
Winnipeg Free Press
6 days ago
- Sport
- Winnipeg Free Press
Kentucky Oaks moves to primetime TV for the first time in 2026
LOUISVILLE, Ky. (AP) — The Kentucky Oaks is shifting to primetime for the 152nd edition of the race for 3-year-old fillies. It will be run at 8 p.m. ET on NBC and streaming on Peacock on May 1, 2026, Churchill Downs and NBC Sports announced Thursday. The $1.5 million race that is traditionally held the day before the Kentucky Derby has had a post time shortly before 6 p.m. ET for years. Next year will be the first time it's been run as late as 8 p.m., which puts it in twilight in the Eastern Time Zone. 'By moving the Kentucky Oaks to primetime, we're giving one of horse racing's most treasured traditions the national stage it deserves,' said Bill Carstanjen, CEO of Churchill Downs. 'This decision is rooted in our commitment to growing the sport, reaching new audiences and creating unforgettable experiences for our fans.' The 152nd Kentucky Derby will air May 2 on NBC and streaming on Peacock. The race typically goes off shortly after 7 p.m. ET. This year's Derby, won by Sovereignty, was the most watched edition since 1989. The audience averaged an NBC record of 17.7 million, peaking at 21.8 million from 7-7:15 p.m. ET during the race. Last year, NBC Sports and Churchill Downs extended their deal to air the Derby through 2032, making the network the longest running home of the race. It first aired on NBC in 2001. ___ AP horse racing:
