The biggest sporting event nationally this week just happens to be local, as more than 200 TV technicians and talent are at Pimlico to cover the second leg of horse racing?s Triple Crown.
NBC (WBAL-TV) has the race starting at 5 p.m.
The gang at ESPN 2 starts things off with Breakfast at Pimlico from 7 a.m. to noon, when action moves to ESPN for five hours Preakness previews and race coverage.
NBC?s Bob Costas will serve as host, and I asked him about the Preakness and its place on the national stage.
“The Triple Crown is still one of sports biggest draws,” Costas said. “It is tradition, history and there are more fascinating storylines in horse racing than in any other sport except for the Olympics. It brings fans to the sport who may watch only the Triple Crown races. Also, coming to Baltimore for the Preakness is still very special: the fans love the sport, and they know their horse racing.”
Plenty of local coverage
On the local level, all Baltimore news operations will have the Preakness covered through late Saturday night, long after the big race is over.
WBAL has a distinct advantage when it comes to race-day coverage. Starting things off with its morning show from 5 a.m. to 7 a.m. It returns after the Today Show from 9 a.m. to 10 a.m. Rob Roblin will cover the fans, who will take their place in the infield for their day of fun.
TV-11 comes back to Pimlico at 2 p.m. for a special “Maryland?s Moment ? The Preakness 2006.” It will have plenty of fun facts about the race, about the track, and the history of racing in Maryland. There will be an in-depth look at the future of The Preakness in Baltimore and the big question “Without slots could the race be leaving town?”
Then WBAL goes live from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. with Gerry Sandusky anchoring the coverage along with Tom Tasselmyer, keeping fans updated on the weather. Stan Stovall will be handling interviews from the stakes barn, Donna Hamilton will be following the VIPs, and Roblin will rejoin the gang from the infield. At 5 p.m. they will hand off to NBC and then return for an extensive post-race special. Sandusky and the gang will be back for all the big interviews and a wrap of the day?s big events.
If you are a horse-racing fan, you have plenty to see with more than 14 hours of local and national coverage Saturday. Welcome to Baltimore?s Super Bowl.
Jim Williams is a seven-time Emmy Award-winning TV producer, director and writer.
