article
Even though Saturday’s Belmont Stakes marks the first time Fox Sports has carried one of horse racing’s Triple Crown events, the network has a history of covering the sport.
Fox has carried the New York Racing Association’s summer meet from Saratoga Race Course since 2016 on FS1 and FS2. The relationship expanded to daily racing from Belmont and Saratoga in 2021 followed by an eight-year agreement starting this year to do the Belmont Stakes.
“It helps immensely,” Fox producer Pete Macheska said about the longstanding relationship with NYRA. “They’ve been great operating with us and helping us in our first year doing this race.”
Fox took over the Belmont from NBC, which had carried all three Triple Crown races since 2011. NBC still does the Kentucky Derby and Preakness.
NYRA has gone its own way from time to time in finding a television home for the Belmont Stakes. Even though the Kentucky Derby and Preakness went from CBS to ABC in the mid-1970s, the Belmont Stakes remained on CBS through 1985. ABC carried the entire Triple Crown from 1986-2000 before NBC took it over in 2001. After five years on NBC, the Belmont Stakes moved to ABC from 2006-10.
RELATED: A history of the Belmont Stakes, the oldest of the Triple Crown horse races
Fox will go with a two-network approach for Saturday’s 155th running of the Belmont Stakes. Fox will have nearly 3 1/2 hours of coverage beginning at 4 p.m. EDT, featuring Curt Menefee, trainer Tom Amoss and Hall of Fame jockey Mike Smith.
Smith won the Belmont three times, including aboard Justify when he captured the Triple Crown in 2018.
Chris Fallica, a mainstay for many years on ESPN’s “College Gameday,” makes his Fox Sports debut by sharing handicapping tips alongside Charissa Thompson.
Horse racing fans who normally tune in to NYRA races on FS1 will be able to get the coverage they are accustomed to at the same place. “America’s Day at The Belmont” will be geared more toward experienced handicappers and will be helmed by Laffit Pincay, Greg Wolf and Andy Serling. It also will feature Jonathon Kinchen, Gary Stevens, Acacia Clement, Michelle Yu, Richard Migliore, Paul Lo Duca and Maggie Wolfendale, who are stalwarts during the Saratoga meet. The FS1 coverage begins at 11 a.m. EDT.
Fox’s biggest addition to its coverage, though, is Hall of Fame track announcer Tom Durkin, who was the longtime voice of the Triple Crown and NYRA tracks until his retirement in 2014. Durkin will call four races on Fox, including the Belmont Stakes, which has a 7:05 p.m. EDT post time.
“Getting him was a big thing,” Macheska said. “Now, you know, Tom hasn’t done it for a while. He’s been practicing. It’s not that easy to just pick it up after you haven’t done it for several years. I think he’ll be very excited about it and we’re thrilled to have him.”
Fox’s Tom Rinaldi will also be a part of the coverage, with features on the 50th anniversary of Secretariat winning the Triple Crown and an interview with trainer Bob Baffert.
Even though the Triple Crown isn’t on the line this year, Fox still intends to make the most of the day.
“It’s still a prestigious race and a test of champions (at 1 1/2 miles). It’s still a big betting event in New York, and we would like to bring that across,” Macheska said.
Belmont Stakes on FOX: Network readies to cover Triple Crown event for 1st time
- Advertisment - 
Recent Comments
on CONCEPT ART: New Details Revealed for Disney Cruise Line Lookout Cay at Lighthouse Point Destination
on “Completely Knocked Me Out”: Rob Lowe Recalls Boxing Match With Tom Cruise On 1983 Brat Pack Classic
on CBS Sports announces Matt Ryan will join NFL studio show. Longtime analysts Simms and Esiason depart
on Carlos Sainz’s Soccer Fanboy Emerges as Spaniard Shares Defining Moment With This Real Madrid Legend
on Biden: ‘At this point I’m not’ planning to visit East Palestine, Ohio, after toxic train derailment
on ‘Best Intention’: Chris Kirk Has Absolute Trust in Jay Monahan and PGA Tour’s Widely Debated Model
on Ahead of big sports weekend, dispute with Disney leaves millions of cable subscribers in the dark
on A heavy wave of Russian missile attacks pounds areas across Ukraine, killing at least 4 civilians
on 2024 Super Bowl: CBS Sports Network and CBS Sports HQ to combine for 115 hours of weeklong coverage
on 2023 NFL All-Rookie Team: CBS Sports draft expert, former GM unveil league’s best first-year players
on Army vs. Coastal Carolina live stream, how to watch online, CBS Sports Network channel finder, odds
on AL Rookie of the Year Julio Rodriguez Spreads Joy and Sportsmanship to the Youth of Loma de Cabrera
on After UFC Fallout, Conor McGregor Offers a Valuable Piece of Advice to Free Agent Francis Ngannou
on Dubai International Airport sees 41.6 million passengers in first half of year, more than in 2019
on Devout athletes find strength in their faith. But practicing it and elite sports can pose hurdles
on Despite strong Lunar New Year holiday data, consumer spending in China isn’t roaring back just yet
on Dave Portnoy: Taylor Swift’s security should ‘drag Kim Kardashian to jail’ if she attends Eras Tour
on CONCEPT ART: New Details Revealed for Disney Cruise Line Lookout Cay at Lighthouse Point Destination
on “Completely Knocked Me Out”: Rob Lowe Recalls Boxing Match With Tom Cruise On 1983 Brat Pack Classic
on CBS Sports, Serie A announce new TV rights deal; Paramount+ to air over 400 Italian soccer matches
on Cam Newton’s Violent Public Incident Draws Hilarious Reaction From 3x All-Star: “Where Do I Sign Up
on Boston College vs. Army live stream, how to watch online, CBS Sports Network channel finder, odds
on Angel Reese Launches Foundation Dedicated To Empowering Women Through Sports & Financial Literacy
on A weaker dollar, skyrocketing prices and ‘record’ visitor numbers: Good luck in Europe this summer