by Frank Angst

With Churchill Downs beginning its first meeting on HRTV, cable television company Insight Communications will offer a special preview of the horse racing channel in Lexington and Louisville.

During the 52-day meeting, which opened on April 28 and continues through July 8, Insight will offer HRTV on Lexington’s channel 17, part of its analog package. Insight has made similar arrangements in Louisville and Southern Indiana, where HRTV will be offered on channel 75.

The plan will allow fans to enjoy live coverage of racing from Churchill Downs as well as other tracks featured on HRTV.

HRTV already is available to Insight Digital Choice customers.

“We appreciate Insight Communications’ willingness to work with us to continue to provide the high quality Churchill Downs racing to our fans in these important Kentucky and Indiana markets,” Churchill Downs President Steve Sexton said. “We believe that fans throughout Thoroughbred racing will benefit from the partnership between Churchill Downs Inc. and Magna Entertainment Corp. that will make races run at our respective tracks available at one site, HRTV.

HRTV coverage will be offered each day from noon to 6 p.m. EDT, with extended coverage on Kentucky Oaks (G1) and Kentucky Derby (G1) days as well as Fridays, when Churchill begins at a special twilight time of 2:45 p.m.

The special offer will conclude on July 8, the final day of the Churchill meeting.

“Insight’s efforts will make the adjustment to this new arrangement much simpler, and we greatly appreciate the company’s enthusiasm in their effort to make HRTV available to as many of its customers as possible,” Sexton said.

Throughout this week HRTV will broadcast “Target Louisville,” a 30-minute program highlighting preparations by the Derby contenders.

Frank Angst is a Thoroughbred Times senior writer