NBCSports.com to stream Florida Derby
Video streaming sports events on computers is becoming increasingly common, and on Saturday NBCSports.com will make history by streaming a live horse race for the first time.
Using HorseRacing TV 's coverage, NBC Sports will offer its broadband viewers 25 minutes on the $1-million Florida Derby at Gulfstream Park in Hallandale, Fla., beginning at 2:15 p.m. Pacific time.
"A significant part of our mission is to use all of our resources to broaden the appeal of thoroughbred racing in general," said Jim Bates, executive vice president and general manager of HorseRacing TV (HRTV), available in only 13.5 million cable and Dish Network homes.
"By allowing carriage of our production on nbcsports.com, we are enabling more people to view live coverage of one of the most important events leading up to the Kentucky Derby."
NBC doesn't have room for the Florida Derby because of Houston Open golf coverage, but the network will televise the Santa Anita Derby the following Saturday. Tom Hammond and Gary Stevens will co-host that coverage.
HRTV will have live coverage of the Dubai World Cup on Saturday at 6 a.m., with Jon White and Becky Witzman anchoring. There will be delayed coverage on ABC at 11:30 a.m.
On HRTV Sunday at 6 p.m., a new show, "Inside Information," with Kurt Hoover, will profile trainer Doug O'Neill and horse racing writer Debie Ginsberg, who died of cancer at age 51 last year.
The Los Angeles Dodgers, taking a cue from sports talk radio, have come up with a new marketing ploy, partnering with 25 local bars and restaurants where fans are encouraged to watch games.
The Los Angeles Dodgers are supplying representatives to some of these bars and restaurants. Owners Jamie and Frank McCourt, along with Tom Lasorda, will be at Barney's Beanery in West Hollywood for the Los Angeles Dodgers' game Monday at Milwaukee.
Fernando Valenzuela will be at Hooters in Pasadena, Steve Garvey at Hooters in Burbank, Ron Cey at Yankee Doodles in Woodland Hills and Kenny Landreaux and Wes Parker at Yankee Doodles in Santa Monica.
FSN Prime Ticket will have reporter Chris McGee on location in West Hollywood to do live reports during the game. Prime Ticket, involved in the promotion along with flagship radio station KFWB 980, will also provide giveaways.
Pete Carroll was named the coach of the year, the Los Angeles Dodgers the team of the year and USC's Dwayne Jarrett the college male athlete of the year at the 710 Southern California Sports Award dinner Thursday night at the ESPN Zone in Anaheim.
Stretching this market to San Diego, LaDanian Tomlinson was named pro athlete of the year. The Lakers' Ronny Turiaf was named inspirational athlete of the year, and UCLA softball third baseman Andrea Duran was the college female athlete of the year.
Orange Lutheran quarterback Aaron Corp and Azusa golfer Lizette Salas were the high school male and female athletes of the year, and Shaun White of Carlsbad was the action sports athlete of the year.
The winners were determined by about 6,000 votes cast on 710espn.com.
The event, which benefits Tomlinson's Touching Lives Foundation, was taped and will be broadcast on KSPN 710 Saturday at 4 p.m.
[More at www.latimes.com ]
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