News-Sports.net - Nov 03,2010 - The 27th running of the Breeders’ Cup World Championships will air live in high definition from Churchill Downs in Louisville, Ky., Nov. 5-6 on ABC, ESPN and ESPN2. ESPN will have more than nine hours of coverage dedicated to the 14 races, as both Friday and Saturday will finish under the lights for the first time in Breeders’ Cup history. The Breeders' Cup marks the climactic end of the thoroughbred racing season.
This year’s event will be highlighted by undefeated mare Zenyatta, the first female horse to win the Breeders’ Cup Classic (2009) and winner of the 2008 Breeders’ Cup Ladies’ Classic. Known for her pre-race dance routine and dramatic finishes, she will be seeking her 20th straight win this week.
“Zenyatta just may be the greatest horse of all time. How can you argue with perfection?,” said jockey Mike Smith.
Championship Friday, Nov. 5, will begin at 4 p.m. ET on ESPN2 with six Breeders’ Cup Championship races, concluding with the $2 million Breeders' Cup Ladies' Classic at 7:30 p.m. Saturday’s racing will begin on ABC at 1:30 p.m. and continue on ESPN from 3:30-7 p.m. The Breeders’ Cup Classic: “Zenyatta, A Quest for Perfection” sponsored by Emirates Airline will run commercial free beginning at 6:15 p.m. ESPN3.com will stream the ESPN and ESPN2 telecasts live. ESPN’s coverage on Nov. 6 will also be available on ESPN Mobile TV and online through ESPNnetworks.com (available to Time Warner Cable customers).
Joe Tessitore will host with analysts Jerry Bailey and Randy Moss, while Kenny Mayne will work with handicapper Hank Goldberg. Nick Luck will be the European horse analyst and Jeannine Edwards, Jay Privman, and Caton Bredar (on horseback) will serve as reporters. Steve Cyphers will interview key personalities in the sport and Jeremy Schaap will report from the winner’s circle. Trevor Denman will call the races and reporter Bill Nack will contribute essays for the ESPN telecast.
Planned features:
* “Zenyatta: Hollywood Overtime” – a screenplay feature about Zenyatta and her Hollywood-esque finishes in each race she competes;
* Zenyatta’s relationship with jockey Mike Smith and champion racehorse trainer John Shirrefs;
* A profile on horse racing in Kentucky, including an interview with University of Louisville basketball head coach Rick Pitino;
* And, a feature on American thoroughbred racehorse trainer Rick Dutrow.
The ESPN telecasts of the Breeders' Cup will include more than 40 HD cameras positioned throughout Churchill Downs, including positions on a crane, helicopter, inside the starting gate, stewards’ room and two X-Mo cameras at the finish line.
Multi-Platform Coverage:
* ESPN360.com: Simulcasts of ESPN and ESPN2 on Friday and Saturday;
* SportsCenter: News and information, and features on Zenyatta leading up to and following the race.
* ESPN Radio: News and information updates;
* Outside the Lines: Feature on Zenyatta, as well as discussion of the horse’s legacy with Bill Nack and Randy Moss;
* First Take: News and information reporting, including an interview with Zenyatta jockey Mike Smith on Wed., Nov. 3. On Fri., Nov. 5,
