Forgive me if this has been repeated somewhere and I missed it, but is there no TV channel that will air the Oaks LIVE? What about Zenyatta’s race? Or is HRTV going to air them both live there just won’t be any coverage from Bravo/ESPN/NBC etc?
I’m guessing the horse racing channels will at least show them on tape delay, but what a bummer if you can’t watch them live at all. Hmm, might have to finally go check out our local OTB.
The race is all of 2 minutes long and give it 5 if you count the post parade so it’s not difficult to incorporate it into the broadcast. Will Bravo also telecast Zenyatta’s undercard effort I truly doubt it. (If they’re smart they will - albeit on a delay) But it will be on HRTV live and on youtube.com within an hour.
Let’s be clear the expectations are low with this 1-hour show and anticipated to be a very heavy dose of fluff , e.g. “what is X wearing or eating” type of backdrop. It is what they want to show - they’re not looking to explain the pick-6, bar shoes or what lasix is …
If you have Bethenny Frankel there doing some hosting duty she might get interview access in the saddling area as she was a hot walker for Bobby at Saratoga when she was younger.
From Churchill Down’s own press release
The Top Chef Tour will be included in Bravo’s special one-hour telecast, “Ladies First: Bravo at the Kentucky Derby,” on May 1 from 5-6 p.m. EDT. The program will feature the food, fashion and celebrity experience associated with Kentucky Oaks 135; live coverage of the Derby’s sister race, the Kentucky Oaks; and highlights of special on-track events related to Churchill Downs’ new partnership with Susan G. Komen for the Cure®, which leads the global movement for breast cancer research, education, advocacy and community support.
I read that to be the actual telecast of the race itself - mind you sandwiched in between Bobby Flay making gumbo and someone from Project Runway making an evening outfit out of a horse cooler 
Since Bravo is part of NBC and NBC Sports is involved - Bob Costas will be co-hosting - then likely instead of the new voice of CD, Mark Johnson, you may just hear on tv (as you always do the Derby) Tom Durkin.
And the field is drawn, post positions assigned
135 running of the Grade 1 Kentucky Oaks, Friday May 1, 2009 for $500,000
(PP, Horse, Jockey)
All carry 121 pounds.
Post time: 5:45 p.m. Eastern
Television: Bravo!
I’d think ‘Rachel’ will go off at the shortest odds seen in decades …
With the ML odds from The BloodHorse
PP. Horse / Trainer / Jockey: Morning Line
I watched very little TV ( other than Rock of Love Bus of course LMAO!) but I pay that darn satellite bill all year long just for situations like these. I too will miss the Breakfast show etc on ESPN but Thank Heavens for HRTV. I am still sad that TVG an CDI can’t get along well enough that BOTH of the racing networks can broadcast but such is life. I loved TVG back when they did cover Churchill (love Frank Lyons) it makes me sad when that you can barely tell it’s derby week when you watch their network.
It truly is infuriating all the “jerking around” racing fans have dealt with over the years. Even the networks dedicated to the sport ( and that might be the issue- they are dedicated to wagering, not the sport) don’t do a great job catering to the viewer.
Video (no audio): Tweeter’s very early morning work Tue Apr 28 2009 @ Churchill
Video: Oak Draw Review with TVG’s Jill Bryne and Joe Kristufek
Agreed.
I miss Wide World of Sports and Jim McKay. 
The local channels here air all the races on the Oaks and Derby undercards. They may have live internet broadcasts…not sure. Check out WAVE 3, WHAS 11, or WLKY 32 online and you may be able to see the races.
Caitlin
A few quips from the Oaks contenders trainers
Asked why he’s running [three starters] if he thinks Rachel Alexandra is such a strong favorite [D. Wayne Lukas] replied, “If you could guarantee me second place right now I’d be a happy man.”
The Hall of Fame trainer Bill Mott smiled as he said there was another reason why his filly was out on the racing surface.
“We wanted to see if that track was still hot where Rachel Alexandra had been over it,” he said. “We were going to try and feel it out and see if the smoke had settled yet.”
Mott was asked what he found.
“It was still a little warm,” he said.
C-J Apr 29, 2009 “Is filly Rachel Alexandra good enough for Derby?”
Excerpt
D. Wayne Lukas calls her the best filly he’s seen since Winning Colors, who beat the boys in the 1988 Kentucky Derby.
Bob Baffert jokes that – in the interest of keeping things competitive – she should give her opponents a head start.
“I know she’s a filly, but she’s just like a colt,” said jockey Calvin Borel, who has ridden Rachel Alexandra in her past four races. “She’s got the power. She’s built like a house, and she does what you want her to do. And she loves it.”
So it cracks me up that (as predicted earlier) the Bravo show WILL follow an episode of The Real Housewives…
LATE SCRATCH - Justwhistledixie is out of the Oaks.
She was determined to have a stone bruise and rather then take any risks she has been taken out of the Kentucku Oaks. So no ride for Julien Leparoux and West Point Thoroughbreds.
Rachel Alexandra is currently 2-5 odds, while the Silverbulletday (to be inducted into the Hall of Fame this year) went off at 1-9 in 1999 with her victory in the Oaks.
OMG! They are going to show the race! I put $10 on Rachel so according to her odds, how much will I get back when she wins?
Go Rachel!!!
I hope all have a safe trip and Rachel Alexandra shows her stuff!!!
WOW! 20 lengths!
Holy moses.
Wow, what a super filly! Congrats to Hal and Calvin!
waits impatiently for updates since she is at work
Final order please!
Wow! She can really fly! I don’t think Calvin even shook the whip once!
OMG! What a filly, heck, what a horse!!
Will she run in the Belmont?
Personally, I can’t wait for a Zenyatta - Rachel Alexandra showdown.
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