Key Takeaways
- Despite a long‑standing narrative of decline, Triple Crown races—especially the Kentucky Derby, Preakness Stakes, and Belmont Stakes—have shown steady or rising viewership in recent years.
- FOX’s fourth year broadcasting the Belmont Stakes blends a mainstream, entertainment‑focused telecast on the broadcast network with a deeper, “simulcast” feed on FS1/FS2 that caters to hardcore racing fans.
- The broadcast team mixes seasoned FOX Sports personalities (Curt Menefee, Charissa Thompson, Tom Rinaldi) with racing‑specific commentators (Maggie Wolfendale, Jonathon Kinchen, Richard Migliore, etc.) and special guests such as Barstool Sports founder Dave Portnoy.
- Technological upgrades—ARRI cameras with shallow depth of field, enhanced color rendering, and an extra drone—are being used to create a more cinematic and immersive viewing experience.
- FOX’s approach acknowledges the unique atmospheres of Saratoga Race Course (where the 2024 Belmont is held) and the forthcoming state‑of‑the‑art Belmont Park slated to open in 2027, adapting its storytelling to each venue’s character.
- While post‑time shifts for primetime exposure have worked for other Triple Crown events, the Belmont’s slot as a lead‑in to the Red Sox‑Yankees rivalry makes such a move impractical for now.
- Ultimately, the success of the broadcast will be judged not only by ratings but also by the quality of the race itself—its competitiveness, historical significance, and the seamless integration of storytelling, talent, and technology.
Viewership Trends and the Myth of Decline
For years, commentators have warned that the Thoroughbred industry is fading, yet recent ratings tell a different story. The Kentucky Derby (G1) has enjoyed four consecutive years of growth, while the Preakness Stakes (G1) has posted two straight increases. The Belmont Stakes (G1) is poised to continue that upward trajectory, aiming to match the Preakness’s streak when it runs on June 6. Historical data shows the Belmont peaked at 12.7 million viewers in 2018 when Justify completed the Triple Crown. Although the COVID‑19 pandemic dragged the audience down to 3.3 million in 2020, numbers have stabilized around 4.5 million on NBC in 2021‑2022. FOX’s inaugural year in 2023 delivered 3.8 million viewers, and a modest rebound to roughly 3.66 million the following year was followed by a nearly 5 % rise this season. With a competitive field set for 2024, optimism for further growth is palpable among industry insiders.
FOX’s Broadcast Philosophy: Entertainment Meets Expertise
Pete Macheska, a multiple‑Emmy‑winning FOX producer serving as a consultant for the Belmont broadcast, outlines the network’s dual‑track strategy. On the main FOX channel, the telecast is designed for casual horse‑racing fans—offering an entertaining, accessible presentation akin to a “Monday Night Football” broadcast. Simultaneously, a simulcast on FS1 and FS2 dives deeper into the sport, providing the analytical detail that dedicated handicappers and daily followers crave. Macheska likens the latter to the “Manningcast” on ESPN, where experts break down the nuances of who will win and why. This bifurcation allows FOX to capture both the broad audience attracted by the spectacle of the Triple Crown and the niche contingent seeking substantive racing insight.
On‑Air Talent: A Blend of Fox Staples and Racing Specialists
Saturday’s Belmont presentation will be anchored by executive producer Bill Richards, known for his work on the “FOX NFL Sunday” pregame show, and director Bryan Lilley. The on‑air lineup features a mix of FOX Sports mainstays—Curt Menefee, Charissa Thompson, and Tom Rinaldi—alongside personalities familiar to racing viewers from FOX’s year‑round coverage, such as Maggie Wolfendale, Jonathon Kinchen, Richard Migliore, Greg Wolf, Laffit Pincay III, Andy Serling, and Tom Amoss. Notable additions include an emotional interview between Tom Rinaldi and jockey Dylan Davis, who rides Ottinho in the Belmont, and a conversation between Charissa Thompson and Cherie DeVaux, the first woman trainer to win the Kentucky Derby who is chasing a historic Belmont victory. The broadcast will also explore the brother‑jockey dynamic of Jose and Irad Ortiz and feature a contribution from Barstool Sports founder and Thoroughbred owner Dave Portnoy.
Technological Enhancements: ARRI Cameras and Drone Coverage
To elevate the visual storytelling, FOX is deploying ARRI cameras that premiered at the Indianapolis 500. These cameras deliver a shallow depth of field and richer color reproduction, allowing viewers to feel more intimately connected to the action on the track. An additional drone will provide dynamic aerial perspectives, further enhancing the cinematic quality of the broadcast. Macheska notes that these tools will help FOX “vividly tell the story of the 158th Belmont Stakes,” highlighting the pageantry, the horses, and the atmosphere of Saratoga Race Course in a way that standard feeds cannot match.
Capturing Saratoga’s Unique Atmosphere
Saratoga Springs holds a special place in the hearts of racing aficionados, boasting the National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame. Macheska describes the venue as “a place you have to visit” and emphasizes FOX’s effort to capture its distinct pageantry. He contrasts Saratoga’s ambiance with that of Belmont Park, noting that the iconic “New York, New York” sing‑along so familiar in New York City does not resonate as strongly in Saratoga, where crowds tend to be more subdued. Looking ahead, the Belmont’s return to a brand‑new, state‑of‑the‑art facility in 2027 promises fresh opportunities for FOX to adapt its presentation, leveraging modern amenities to enhance both the live‑event experience and the televised product.
Programming Constraints and Primetime Considerations
While moving post times to later slots has proven effective for primetime exposure—exemplified by Churchill Downs’ successful shift of the Kentucky Oaks—the Belmont’s current schedule is locked in as a lead‑in to the Red Sox‑Yankees rivalry, one of Major League Baseball’s marquee matchups. FOX utilizes this high‑profile baseball game to retain viewers after the race, making a late‑night Belmont impractical for now. Nonetheless, speculation persists about future adjustments, ranging from re‑spacing Triple Crown dates to renegotiating media rights for the Preakness, which are set to be settled this summer.
Measuring Success: Ratings, Race Quality, and Production Craft
Macheska stresses that the ultimate gauge of a broadcast’s success extends beyond raw viewership numbers. He cites the age‑old adage that “Is it a good race? Is it a close race? Is it a historical race?”—questions that apply equally to the NBA Finals, World Series, or Super Bowl. The production team, led by Bill Richards, strives to weave together features, interviews, and race footage into a seamless narrative. The smoothness of that flow, combined with the race’s inherent drama, will determine whether audiences deem the broadcast a triumph. In the days following the Belmont, both content critics and analytics specialists will dissect the telecast, judging it on storytelling, technical execution, and its ability to honor the sport’s traditions while attracting new fans.
Broadcast Window and Viewing Options
FOX will air the Belmont Stakes live from 3:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. ET on Saturday, with complementary coverage spread across FS1 and FS2 from 10:30 a.m. to 8:15 p.m. ET. This split schedule ensures that casual fans can catch the main event on the broadcast network, while ardent enthusiasts have access to extended analysis, behind‑the‑scenes features, and alternative angles throughout the day.
In sum, the narrative of a declining Thoroughbred industry is belied by recent trends in viewership, innovative broadcast strategies, and a commitment to blending entertainment with expert analysis. FOX’s multifaceted approach for the 2024 Belmont Stakes—leveraging star talent, cutting‑edge technology, and an awareness of each venue’s unique character—aims not only to sustain but to expand the sport’s audience, proving that the Triple Crown’s allure remains as potent as ever.