MSG Networks to offer full slate of Belmont Park and Saratoga Live programs: Full summer schedule kicks off on May 17 on MSG+

by Pat McKenna and Dan Schoenberg

Live thoroughbred racing from Belmont Park will return to MSG Networks on May 17, it was announced today. MSG+ will air a total of 97 shows encompassing Belmont Live and Saratoga Live.

Belmont Park Live will feature 40 live shows for the spring/summer meet that will air from 4-6 p.m., with the exception of a half-hour Belmont Stakes preview show on June 7 from 5:30-6 p.m., and Saturday, July 8, where the show will air from 6-7 p.m.

“NYRA’s longstanding partnership with MSG Networks provides New York racing fans with increased access to live racing coupled with our unique blend of handicapping insights and analysis,” said Dan Silver, Senior Director of NYRA TV. “We’re thrilled that our successful live shows will once again be widely available on MSG+ throughout the heart of the racing schedule over the next six months.”

Saratoga Live, from the historic Saratoga Race Course, will feature 40 live shows starting on July 21, with most programs running from 4-6:30 p.m. A special three-hour show, from 4-7 p.m., will cover the Diana Stakes on July 22.  A 4:00pm show on August 12 will cover the Arlington Million and Fourstardave Special. Mondays during the Saratoga meet will feature two-hour programs from 4-6 p.m.

Belmont Live will return on September 8 to kick off one of 17 shows for the fall meet. MSG+ will also air one show from Aqueduct Racetrack, from 3-5- p.m., on Cigar Mile day on December 2 to conclude its 2017 slate.

"MSG Networks is proud to offer exciting live thoroughbred racing from two historic parks – Belmont and Saratoga – to New York racing fans,” said Jeff Filippi, svp, programming and production & executive producer, MSG Networks. "With an array of top Stakes races and special coverage surrounding the Belmont Stakes, it should be a terrific season of horse racing on MSG Networks.”

The MSG+ live programming schedule will continue to make NYRA racing at Belmont Park and Saratoga Race Course one of the most widely-distributed and easiest ways for horseplayers to enjoy the sport’s finest racing.

About The New York Racing Association

The New York Racing Association was founded in 1955 and is franchised to run thoroughbred racing at New York's three major tracks (Aqueduct Racetrack, Belmont Park and Saratoga Race Course) through 2033. With a lineage of nearly 150 years, NYRA tracks are the cornerstone of New York State's thoroughbred industry, which contributes more than $2 billion annually to its urban, suburban and rural economy. NYRA.com is the official website of the New York Racing Association. Follow us on your favorite social media platform, including: Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube.

About MSG Networks Inc.

An industry leader in sports production, and content development and distribution, MSG Networks Inc. owns and operates two award-winning regional sports and entertainment networks, MSG Network (MSG) and MSG+, and a live streaming and video on demand platform, MSG GO. The networks are home to 10 professional sports teams, delivering live games of the New York Knicks; New York Rangers; New York Islanders; New Jersey Devils; Buffalo Sabres; New York Liberty; New York Red Bulls and the Westchester Knicks, as well as coverage of the New York Giants and Buffalo Bills.  Each year, MSG and MSG+ collectively telecast approximately 500 live professional games, along with a comprehensive lineup of other sporting events, including college football and basketball, and critically-acclaimed original programming.  The gold standard for regional broadcasting, MSG Networks has won 145 New York Emmy Awards over the past nine years.