Featured on "NTRA Super Saturdays" will be live races from each of the eight Breeders' Cup World Thoroughbred Championships divisions. Each week's purses will total more than $2 million and each telecast will feature the best races of the day from multiple venues with a variety of special viewer enhancements. In addition, there will be a weekly National Pick 4 wager, a bet that allows fans to pick the winners of four races.
"This exciting new TV series presents 10 hours of some of the very best racing in the world," said NTRA Commissioner Tim Smith. "Following on the heels of the VISA Triple Crown and concluding with a day that features some of America's most-storied races on both coasts, 'NTRA Super Saturdays' will help familiarize fans with the horses likely to compete in the World Thoroughbred Championships at Lone Star Park on October 30. I'd like to thank our TV partner, ESPN, for its expanded commitment to horseracing, and we'd like to thank the horsemen and track operators who have helped make this series a reality. We also are thrilled to have Thoroughbred racing back on ABC."
"This series will feature two hours of the best-of-the-best in horse racing," said Mark Shapiro, ESPN executive vice president, programming and production. "Horse racing has recaptured the fan's attention in the last two years, and this series ties together the best action of the summer and early fall. ESPN has a strong commitment to the fans of Thoroughbred racing and the NTRA. This series is the newest evidence of that."
"NTRA Super Saturdays" joins such other NTRA TV programming as "CITGO Racing to the Kentucky Derby" and "Road to the World Thoroughbred Championships" to form the most extensive coverage of horseracing on network TV ever.
- 6/12/04, ESPN, 4-6 p.m. ET, Stephen Foster Handicap, Brooklyn Handicap, Fleur De Lis Stakes, Whittingham Handicap,Ohio Derby
- 7/3/04, ESPN, 4-6 p.m. ET, United Nations Handicap, Suburban Handicap, Firecracker Handicap, American Oaks, Royal Ascot Recap
- 8/14/04, ABC, 4-6 p.m. ET, Arlington Million, Alfred Vanderbilt Handicap, Sword Dancer Handicap, Beverly D. Stakes
- 9/19/04, ABC, 4-6 p.m. ET, Belmont Futurity, Matron Stakes, Atto Mile, Ruffian Stakes
- 10/2/04, ESPN, 4-6 p.m. ET, Jockey Club Gold Cup, Joe Hirsch Turf Classic, Yellow Ribbon Stakes, Clement Hirsch Handicap, Vosburgh Handicap, Flower Bowl Handicap
