It’s undetermined how much Ebersol, a short-timer, had to do with producing Saturday’s show. But if it was a lot, he’ll be missed. For those who enjoyed the Triple Crown's second jewel while prone on the couch, you viewed an Eclipse Award-winning production on your Sony. Fingers crossed that the broadcasters fare as well when the Belmont Stakes is contested with flimsier storylines.
While not flawless – the coverage ran on a half-hour too long, failed to televise the sport's number one turf horse even though Paddy O’Prado won the Dixie Stakes during the telecast's timeframe, and had technical problems that obliterated trainer Graham Motion’s humorous remarks in a pre-race interview with Kenny Rice – NBC Sports portrayed horse racing as a game that’s enjoyed on many levels.
The two hour show captivated viewers with stretches of human drama, teased them with controversial interviews and provided them with insights that people in the Pimlico grandstand did not benefit from despite being on site.
Human Interest Segments. The assortment of stories involving Preakness participants made watching the race almost secondary. Costas pressed Barry Irwin on the controversial statements he made in the post-Derby interviews and Irwin’s natural garrulity surfaced. He admitted regret for his ill-conceived timing when speaking out against horse racing’s problems, and then called for the FBI to investigate the misuse of drugs on the animals. Once a maverick, always a maverick. But Irwin, who was prepared for his inquisition this time, was terrific.
A feature on jockey Robby Albarado was not limited to his bad luck in losing the mount on Animal Kingdom. The segment excelled when it moved on to a discussion of the felony charges of domestic abuse and wanton endangerment that resulted in the jockey’s ultimate plea to accept rehab. It ended with Albarado professing he’s prepared to make changes in his behavior.
The most emotional piece, however, was about Noah Grove, the brave 12-year-old son of Norman Asbjornson’s trainer Chris Grove. Noah’s osteosarcoma led to having his leg amputated a few years back. His mom cried as she told NBC Sports that his last words before surgery were a plea to leave the leg on. The network presented uplifting footage of Noah free of the cancer but having to deal with a prosthetic.
Expert Insight. Experienced horse racing fans are able to catch the subtle developments before, during and after a horse race that explain the outcome. But the casual fan sees a field of animals load into a gate, run the course and finish a race not really knowing what happened. TV viewers have the action explained to them.
Nobody on TV provides better analysis than Gary Stevens. The former champion jockey was noteworthy Saturday for explaining that winning jockey Jesus Castanon slowed the pace down after taking the lead on the backstretch. He noted that Animal Kingdom didn’t break well, was too far back and that Castanon went through five sets of goggles compared to none in the Derby. But where Stevens really stood out was when he crouched like a rider must on a sway-backed mount and explained why this odd conformation put a jock at a big disadvantage.
Excuse Donna Barton Brothers for being wrong when she said that Shackleford’s high-keyed behavior and subsequent washiness would compromise the winner’s chances. Moreover, she said Mr. Commons and King Congie were runners with the look and demeanor of horses that would run well. But she was spot-on at other times, including her prompting of Castanon to translate what the Mexican-born rider said in Spanish to his mother as he dedicated the victory to his recently-deceased father. Brothers’s questions might originate with people in a booth delivering them in her ear through an embedded listening device, but they were asked at the right time with feigned spontaneity.
Give credit to those guys in the booth also for keying on the loser. Immediately after he dismounted the runner-up, Velazquez explained that Animal Kingdom was hit in the chest with the kickback when running closer to horses in front when he took to the dirt in the Derby. This time around, further back of the pack, the colt was hit in the face, and it bothered him.
Tom Hammond wears well on the eyes despite a vintage haircut. Versus anchors Randy Moss (he noted that Shackleford changed leads late in the stretch in his post-race analysis) and Laffit Pincay III handle set-up and mop-up like able custodians.
Beautiful Images. As for how everything looked, fans in want of a new screensaver need search no further than NBC’s overhead shot of the Preakness field strung out on the backstretch. With the sun at the cameraman’s back, the long shadows of the horses in motion created an ethereal image, as if swans in flight were cast in the glow of a sunset.
Close-ups of Costas, surrounded by infield gardens, made Pimlico appear to be Eden. Pans of Chesapeake Bay made Baltimore look as if it was Barcelona. Another shot stopped hearts; it was of Motion consoling his son after the results were official. And, best of all, NBC Sports ran numerous commercials that advertised upcoming telecasts from Saratoga Racecourse and the Breeders’ Cup. What more could you ask for?
Vic Zast invites you to his Facebook page and to follow him on Twitter.
23 May 2011 at 06:50 am | #
Got a chance to replay the NBC coverage, and my viewpoint is diametrically opposed to yours Mr. Zast; it takes all kinds. Will be back with more of my viewpoint, but right now have to go to the doctor who is treating my hemorroidal tissue and erectile dysfunction (more on that when I return), then off to court to fight those fallacious sexual harassment charges against me brought by a former employee of the lingerie shop I own in midtown.
Guess I’m just one of those people who really don’t think it is my business to hear about Robbie Albarado’s family problems on Preakness day, Barry Irwin’s business problems with long-gone former trainers (hadn’t those bastards done enough damage on Derby day); the history of Kathy Ritvo’s internal organs and medical history (I did however take note of the skimpy, revealing saddle she was wearing, that certainly showed she has fully recovered from the heart surgery). I’M ON THE WRONG PLANET!
Maybe I’m just a boring, cynical, backward old man, and it is obvious we are total opposites; a marriage made in heaven.
Query, is this really your opinion, or do you have an affiliation with NBC?
TTT
23 May 2011 at 07:52 am | #
Vic,
Could NBC at least take two minutes of the broadcast to show the Dixie Stakes? They blackout TVG and HRTV and all other TV from showing it and leave the true horseplayer in the dark.
Big Ted,
Sorry to hear about your personal issues, LOL
23 May 2011 at 10:30 am | #
It should be noted that TwinSpires never took the Pimlico Feed down during the card, as all races, INCLUDING the Preakness were shown live on it. For all the problems TwinSpires has had with their feed, especially since New York City OTB closed last December, they did do an excellent job.
As for why NBC doesn’t show the Dixie (or Manhattan on the Belmont Stakes telecast), you have to remember that the bulk of people watching don’t care about grass races for older horses like the Dixie, which doesn’t usually get the top-level grass horses as it is. When ABC included the Acorn and Manhattan on their telecast of the 2006 Belmont, they were widely slammed by television critics that don’t follow horse racing like we do (and forget there is more to the sport than the Triple Crown races), especially after one of the Acorn starters got lodged in the gate and had to be scratched. NBC is well aware that if something happened in the Dixie like that or worse, they would be heavily criticized by TV critics for including that, as well as risk alienating affiliates that are not owned and operated by Comcast-NBC.
That said, NBC did a good job in providing what they intended to for the audience they were focusing on: People who DON’T follow the Sport of Kings like we do. It could have been better, but overall it did what was intended.
23 May 2011 at 12:05 pm | #
While I, personally, was not adversely affected by Ms. Brothers’ remarks regarding Shackleford,, I know of others who were. These last minute observations, perhaps designed to prevent another Life At Ten episode, should be avoided unless they can show the difference from a horse’s last race, and do a similar analysis for the entire field. A caveat prior to any more of Ms. Brothers’ impressions should be mandatory.
Not showing the Paddy O’Prado race thereby missing the human interest of back-to-back winners for trainer Romans was unfortunate despite WG’s explanation. In my opinion, televising any graded race – especially one including a champion among its starters—is always desirable. It’s a shame AK’s loss was a troubled one, but I can’t help but think that Nehro would have prevailed anyway had his owner not taken away that opportunity.
The Noah Grove piece was inspirational and worth mentioning as many times as possible. NBC was obligated to give Irwin an opportunity to address his prior ambush with some preparation. Given the current emphasis on “truth,” not mentioning Albarado’s domestic difficulties would have been a mistake; as would be any further illumination of commenter medical status.
23 May 2011 at 02:07 pm | #
I like Donna Brothers but it’s her job to know that Shackelford has gotten hot and lathered before during warmups.
My point with the grass race(Dixie or Manhattan) is if your not gonna show it to the people who support the game 365 days a year on NBC broadcast, at least don’t black it out from the racing channels.
23 May 2011 at 02:41 pm | #
Brothers was not the only observer to comment on Shakleford’s physical condition.
If I recall, Bruno De Julio, one of the most respected conditioning viewers in the game, opined that Shackleford had lost some weight and looked less well than before the Derby.
The bottom line is these opinions are just that, and listeners have to know that and use their own judgment. Brothers was correct about Mucho Macho Man and Sway Away. As the song goes, 2 out of 3 ain’t bad.
People love to blame someone else for bets that don’t work out. Take responsibility for your own actions.
24 May 2011 at 06:02 pm | #
Vic,
Bravo to you for recognizing the brilliant cast of reporters as well as picking out the highlights of a beautiful spring day at Old Hilltop.
The “Garden of Eden” reminded me of Saratoga’s endless overflowing flower boxes. Won’t be long now see you soon!