by Frank Angst

Many racing fans are likely to notice a void in racing coverage on May 16 because ESPN networks have eliminated their broadcast of the Preakness Stakes (G1) undercard.

In fact, no ESPN network will broadcast any race from Pimlico Race Course during Preakness week. The elimination of ESPN’s Preakness week coverage follows cuts the network already has made to its coverage of Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (G1) week. ESPN broadcast 11 hours of racing coverage during Derby week last year, but it will do just five hours of Derby day coverage—including the undercard races—this year.

Maryland Jockey Club officials are talking with other national networks about picking up coverage of the May 16 Preakness undercard or other big races that week such as the Black-Eyed Susan Stakes (G2) for three-year-old fillies on May 15. Baltimore’s WBAL Television will still offer its usual broadcast, which includes three hours before the race and post-race coverage after the national NBC broadcast.

“These changes happened for this year but we will evaluate things for next year,” said ESPN Spokesman Mark Mandel.

The National Thoroughbred Racing Association has worked with ESPN to support and broadcast horse racing events, like the undercard shows as well as series like “NTRA Racing to the Kentucky Derby.”

NBC will broadcast both the Derby and Preakness. Churchill Downs arranged for NBC-affiliated Bravo channel to broadcast the Kentucky Oaks (G1) on May 1.

ABC will broadcast the Belmont Stakes (G1) at 5 p.m. on June 6. Beginning at noon, ESPN will offer five hours of coverage before the broadcast shifts to ABC. Disney Corp. owns both ABC and ESPN.

Frank Angst is senior staff writer of Thoroughbred Times