NBC and Kentucky Derby racetrack spark fury among Louisville locals with major change to event

NBC has come under fire after moving one of the Kentucky Derby’s most eagerly-awaited races to a later television slot.

The first night Kentucky Oaks – the main event for Friday on Kentucky Derby weekend – took place in front of large swaths of empty seats after it was moved from its traditional 6pm post time to 8:40pm for primetime on the TV network.

Many of the 100,000-plus fans who filled the grandstand and the track from the late morning through the afternoon had departed before sunset, coming as a frustration to winner trainer Chad Brown. 

Brown lamented not being able to get presented with the trophy in the infield, the tradition for the Oaks and the Derby that was moved to the paddock because of the time.

‘It was a really cool experience, and it’s nice to utilize this facility with the lights and all and I would definitely do it again. Obviously, my horse ran terrific,’ Brown said. ‘(The ceremony) was the only negative. Everything else about it was an incredible experience today with this post time.’

Friday’s main event at the Kentucky Derby took place in front of large swaths of empty seats 

The New York Times has also explained how NBC’s controversial decision to shift the Kentucky Oaks to a later time at Churchill Downs has impacted local businesses.

Pat Francis, whose family has owned a famous steakhouse in Louisville since 1958, revealed that the restaurant is closing its doors on both Friday and Saturday to protest against what he believes is a ‘corporate cash grab.’

Francis has argued that the late start will discourage fans from visiting his steakhouse after the race, given the fact that many racegoers typically arrive at the track in the early afternoon and stay for a number of races before the Oaks.

‘They are trying to cut us out of the equation,’ he said. ‘It’s terrible for small businesses. The only thing I see is greed.’ 

The New York Times also quoted another local resident who fumed that Churchill Downs has ‘officially decided the Kentucky Oaks belongs to NBC, not Louisville.’ 

Yet unfortunately for the people of Louisville, the Oaks is still set to air in primetime for at least the next six years on NBC.  

When the race finally got underway on Friday night, Brown’s Always a Runner showed her toughness once again by winning the Kentucky Oaks against some of the best 3-year-old fillies around in the 152nd edition of the race.

Chad Brown, trainer of winning horse Always a Runner, was critical of the later start time

‘This filly is very resilient, very tough,’ Brown said after winning the Oaks for the first time. ‘She didn’t have to be here today. She didn’t have to run again. She could have never run, easily. I’ve had it happen with several horses. 

‘The fact that not only did she overcome it and ended up here today as an undefeated horse in the Oaks is just remarkable.’

Ridden by Jose Ortiz, Always a Runner made a move around the final turn and needed every bit of the stretch to pass Bob Baffert’s Explora and and Michael McCarthy’s Meaning before the finish line of the 1 1/8-mile race. 

Meaning was second by 1 1/4 lengths and Counting Stars third. Always a Runner finished in 1:48.62.