Derby Day Gets Max Coverage on NBC, ESPN, ESPN Radio and Sirius

What can Big Brown — named for UPSbecause of his owner’s ties to the company

—    do for you? Apparently make money.

Dave Johnson who has spent over 40 years following the Triple Crown and 25 of them calling the race for ABC Sports says that “Is is Big Brown and all the little browns. I really think that he is an impressive a favorite as we have seen in years.”

Johnson will go over all the entries in the crowed 20 horse field this morning on his show at 10am on Sirius 127.    

 Another view comes fom 

 NBC on-track reporterDonna Barton- Brothers: “Big Brown has proven he’s the fastest while Pyro and Colonel John have been battle-tested. I can’t see any of the remaining 17 horses that will be running in the Derby as being good enough to beat any of these top three.” 

Today things get underway at 11am on ESPN2 with Churchill Downs Today then the show to ESPN at noon. There will be a special at 3pm the network will air a special on The Derby.  

 

Kenny Mayne and Rece Davis, analysts Jerry Bailey, Randy Moss and Jeannine Edwards, handicapper Hank Goldberg and reporters Jay Privman and Steve Cyphers will handle the broadcasting duties. 

 

At 4pm NBC takes over with former area radio personality and Access Hollywood host Billy Bush doing red carpet show Access at the Kentucky Derby

 

“The Derby is a legendary event,” said Bush.  “My goal will be to add fun and help build excitement for the race without distracting from the tradition of Derby day and people’s passion for it.  That said, there should be some moments.”

At 5 p.m. NBC Sports race coverage begins with Tom Hammond and Bob Costas co-hosting the Derby alongside three-time Derby winner Gary Stevens.  NBC Sports’ broadcast team also includes race-caller Tom Durkin; contributing analysts Mike Battaglia and Bob Neumeier; reporter Kenny Rice and on-track reporter Donna Barton Brothers, who retired in 1998 after an impressive 11-year career as a jockey.

 

NBC will also have post race coverage and the trophy presentation.

 

Dave Johnson will have a special edition of Down The Stretch airing from 10am till noon on Sirius 127 and then at 5pm ESPN Radio will cover all the pre race, race and post race action live.