Hosting the telecast from Oak Tree will be Tom Hammond, joined by Charlsie Cantey, Mike Battaglia and Donna Barton Brothers. Bob Neumeier will report from Belmont, and Kenny Rice will do the same from Keeneland. The telecast will debut several new virtual enhancement graphics, including the Virtual Finish Line, the Virtual Starting Gate and Virtual Distance Markers, all designed to help viewers identify and follow horses from start to finish. For Saturday's telecast, these new graphics, developed by Sportvision, creators of football's virtual First-and-10 line, will be used for the Oak Tree races.
The featured races on the show are the Grade I, $750,000 Beldame and the Grade II, $350,000 Kelso Breeders'Cup Handicap from Belmont; the Grade I, $600,000 Shadwell Turf Mile from Keeneland; and the Grade II, $500,000 Goodwood Breeders'Cup Handicap, and the Grade II, $150,000 Oak Tree Derby, from Oak Tree at Santa Anita. The Beldame is part of the Nextel Distaff Division, the Goodwood is part of the Dodge Classic Division and the other three races are part of the NetJets Mile Division.
These five races, along with the Lane's End Breeders' Futurity, to be shown earlier in the day on CNBC's coverage of the Bessemer Trust Juvenile Challenge, make up the NTRA National Pick 6, a national wager in which fans will have an opportunity to pick the winner of all six races. Keeneland will serve as wagering hub for the NTRA National Pick 6.
Looking for a fourth straight Grade I win in the 1 1/8-miles Beldame is the Bobby Frankel-trained Sightseek. She'll take on a strong field that includes Kentucky Oaks winner Bird Town, Gazelle winner Buy the Sport and Passing Shot.
The Kelso Breeders' Cup handicap figures to showcase the talents of Decarchy, Joe's Son Joey, North East Bound, Pay the Preacher, Political Attack, Tap the Admiral, Rouvres and Millennium Dragon.
Topping the field in the Shadwell Turf Mile is Touch of the Blues (FR), Della Francesca, Honor in War and Trademark (SAF).
Toccet, out most of the 2003 season because of injuries, will try to get back to his winning 2002 form in the Goodwood, a 1 1/8-miles race. Toccet, runner-up in last year's voting for top juvenile, will face a field headed by 2002 race winner Pleasently Perfect, Fleetstreet Dancer, Grey Memo, Joey Franco, Taste of Paradise, Reba's Gold and Star Crossed.
The Oak Tree Derby, a one-mile turf race for three-year-olds, will 2003 Kentucky Derby starter Domestic Dispute, Devious Boy, Sweet Return and Signit.
