When it comes to horse racing's Triple Crown, you can have your colorful moments or your colorful people. Sometimes, television gets lucky and has both.
That was the case in the Kentucky Derby two weeks ago. Street Sense's stirring rally from the back of the pack would have been plenty to stamp the race as one to remember. But combine the run with jockey Calvin Borel's emotional reaction to victory and you had something truly memorable.
NBC can't count on a repeat during tomorrow's Preakness telecast (5 p.m., WBAL/Channel 11 and WRC/Channel 4), but good things can happen even with those less effusive than Borel. And the producer of NBC's telecast said he doesn't feel that the network needs to force the issue.
"You don't need to jump up on a soapbox and endear yourself to the public," Sam Flood said. "You have the moments."
Take Carl Nafzger, for example. The trainer of Street Sense hasn't demonstrated the on-air personality of, say, Bob Baffert, but Flood pointed out that Nafzger was the key player in one of the Derby's enduring images - something NBC replayed during the Derby preview. When Nafzger's Unbridled won in 1990, he called the race for owner Frances Genter, 92, who couldn't see what was happening on the track. It culminated with Nafzger hugging Genter and saying: "You've won the Kentucky Derby, Mrs. Genter! I love you."
Speaking of love and memories, Flood said NBC doesn't plan to ride the tragic/inspirational story of Barbaro for long tomorrow, even though everyone is back at the scene of the late thoroughbred's devastating injury. The Barbaro component tomorrow will be "very brief," he said, mostly a matter of a report on the Barbaro Stakes, which features Chelokee, a horse conditioned by Barbaro's trainer, Michael Matz.
"I think we've told that story very well and very completely," Flood said.
As far as other stories NBC will tell, Flood said it plans a feature on Borel, including a visit to his hometown in Louisiana. Otherwise, "we're looking for the quirky story." Which takes us to the Pimlico infield.
"The infield is one of the biggest outdoor parties you'll ever see," Flood said. "There's a joy out there that's fun to capture. It's a neat community that develops for the [day]."
Stevens' pick
