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Saratoga Live returns to FOX Sports on Thursday with wall-to-wall coverage of the 2022 summer meet

by Pat McKenna

The New York Racing Association, Inc. (NYRA) and FOX Sports today announced the return of Saratoga Live, the critically acclaimed and award-winning television show providing daily coverage of the 40-day summer meet at historic Saratoga Race Course.

Presented by America’s Best Racing and Claiborne Farm, Saratoga Live will expand its reach yet again in 2022 with more than 225 hours of live coverage and analysis scheduled to air on the networks of FOX Sports.

"The best race meet in the world and the best daily coverage of horse racing are back on FOX Sports," said Mike Mulvihill, Executive Vice President, Head of Strategy and Analytics. "Saratoga is one of the truly magical places in American sports and it's our privilege to bring the meet to horseplayers nationwide on our family of networks and on the FOX Sports app."

Highlighted by the Grade 1, $1.25 million Runhappy Travers on August 27, which will be carried on FOX Broadcast Network (FOX) for the fourth consecutive year, the 2022 summer meet opens on July 14 and will feature 77 stakes races worth $22.6 million in total purses. 

Opening weekend of the summer meet is presented by Runhappy, the champion sprinter now standing at Claiborne Farm.

In addition to the 90-minute Runhappy Travers Day show, FOX will present 1.5 hours hours of Saratoga Live on Saturday, July 30. Beginning at 4:30 p.m., the broadcast will be anchored by the 59th running of the Grade 2, $600,000 Jim Dandy.

Now in its 7th season on FOX Sports , the Saratoga Live broadcast team will include hosts Greg Wolf and Laffit Pincay III, with analysis and handicapping from Maggie Wolfendale, Acacia Courtney, Andy Serling, Paul Lo Duca, and Jonathon Kinchen. Viewers can look forward to commentary and insights from trainer Tom Amoss, Eclipse Award-winning jockey Richard Migliore and Hall of Fame jockey Gary Stevens. John Imbriale will handle the race calling duties at Saratoga.

New for 2022 is an aerial cable-cam system at Saratoga Race Course, which will provide viewers of Saratoga Live with a thrilling perspective of live racing on the main track and two turf courses. 

The cable-cam system was constructed specifically for the demands of film thoroughbreds in full flight from a variety of angles on three different racing surfaces. In order to capture this footage, a remote-operated camera traveling up to 45 mph is suspended roughly 30 feet above the ground on cable that runs along the infield and spans the length of the Saratoga backstretch.

“This is an investment in cutting-edge technology to enhance our daily broadcasts and allow viewers to more fully experience the power, speed and skill of these world-class athletes,” said Eric Donovan, Senior Director of NYRA television production operations. “NYRA is committed to embracing these kinds of advancements, and the new cable-cam will unlock the kind of footage that was previously unthinkable in horse racing.”

The cable-cam utilizes technology provided by DEFY Products, a leader in the development of innovative camera technology to support the filming of major motion pictures, television productions, professional sports and live event broadcasts. Stadiums and arenas throughout Major League Baseball, the National Basketball Association and the National Hockey League rely on a variety of DEFY products to bring television viewers closer to the action than ever before.

For the complete Saratoga Live broadcast schedule, and additional information, visit https://www.nyra.com/saratoga/racing/tv-schedule.