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NYRA and MSG Networks announce 2019 schedule

by Pat McKenna / Dan Schoenberg / Scott Weiss

MSG+ to Broadcast 125 Days of NYRA Racing, Starting on Saturday, April 6

The New York Racing Association, Inc. (NYRA) and MSG Networks (NYSE: MSGN) announced today the 2019 broadcast schedule for MSG Networks' thoroughbred racing coverage from Aqueduct Racetrack, Belmont Park and historic Saratoga Race Course.

As NYRA's longtime regional television home, MSG+ will air 125 days of NYRA racing in 2019 with more than 250 hours of in-depth handicapping and analysis including all 40-days at historic Saratoga Race Course, and nearly every day of live racing from Belmont Park. In addition to MSG+, all NYRA programming can be found on MSG GO, MSG Networks' live streaming and video on demand platform for smartphones, tablets and computers.

"With the height of the horse racing season set to get underway, we're excited to once again present our viewers with unrivaled coverage of NYRA racing from three of America's most iconic racing venues," said Jeff Filippi, Senior Vice President of Programming and Production, and Executive Producer, MSG Networks. "This year, horse racing fans will be provided with even more live race coverage and in-depth analysis from a dynamic team of broadcasters."

MSG Networks' 2019 NYRA telecasts kick off with a special Wood Memorial Day edition of Saturday at the Races, April 6 at 3 p.m. with 2 ½ hours of undercard coverage of a stakes-packed card that includes the Grade 1, $400,000 Carter; the Grade 2, $300,000 Gazelle; the Grade 3, $250,000 Bay Shore; and the Grade 3, $150,000 Excelsior.

"NYRA is thrilled to continue our partnership with MSG Networks in presenting unparalleled live racing coverage to the world's largest television market," said Eric Donovan, NYRA's Director of TV Broadcast Operations. "MSG Networks has been extremely supportive of our shift in television philosophy to the current live format, and with NYRA's world-class on-air talent and production staff, viewers can expect another outstanding year of racing coverage on MSG+."

Live thoroughbred racing from beautiful Belmont Park will return to MSG+ on Friday, April 26, opening day of the 48-day Belmont spring/summer meet and continue with 42 editions of Belmont Park Live through closing day on Sunday, July 7.

Following the Belmont spring/summer meet, racing shifts to historic Saratoga Race Course for the annual summer meet, which opens Thursday, July 11 and features 76 stakes contested across 40 race days highlighted by the 150th running of the Grade 1, $1.25 million Runhappy Travers.

The acclaimed Saratoga Live, NYRA's flagship show launched in 2016, will air on each day of the meet, providing viewers with daily coverage, handicapping insights and analysis of the best racing in the country from the sport's most iconic venue.

MSG+ will air a special 5 ½-hour Travers Day edition of Saratoga Live, headlined by coverage of the major stakes leading up to the 150th running of the Travers, including the Grade 1, $1 million Sword Dancer, the Grade 1, $700,000 Personal Ensign, the Grade 1, $600,000 Forego, the Grade 1, $500,000 H. Allen Jerkens presented by Runhappy and the Grade 1, $500,000 Ketel One Ballerina.

At the conclusion of the 2019 Saratoga meet, Belmont Park Live will return to the MSG+ airwaves on Friday, September 6 for Opening Day of the Belmont Park Fall Championship meet, marking the first of 36 shows in September and October.

In 2019, NYRA has added Hall of Fame jockey Gary Stevens, veteran host Laffit Pincay, III and handicapper Jonathon Kinchen to a broadcast team that includes host Greg Wolf, handicapper and racing analyst Andy Serling, paddock analyst Maggie Wolfendale, trainer Tom Amoss, and handicapper and former Major League Baseball All-Star Paul LoDuca. Larry Collmus, NYRA announcer and voice of the Triple Crown, will provide live race calls throughout the year.

For the 2019 schedule of NYRA programming on MSG+ please visit nyra.com/tvschedule.

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 152 New York Emmy Awards over the past ten years.