NBC, New York Racing Association extend Saratoga television agreement through 2013

The New York Racing Association and NBC Sports have agreed to a two-year extension of their agreement for broadcasting major stakes from Saratoga, the two organizations announced Wednesday.

This year, NBC and its cable outlet Versus broadcast eight one-hour programs from Saratoga that included all seven Saturdays and one Sunday. The tentative schedule for 2012 has NBC and NBC Sports Network - which Versus will be known as beginning in January - broadcasting four Saturdays and one Sunday. The two shows on NBC will be Aug. 25, a two-hour broadcast that will presumably include the Travers and King's Bishop, and a one-hour show on Sept. 1 that will presumably include the Woodward and Forego.

NBC Sports Network will broadcast a one-hour show on Aug. 11, a two-hour show on Aug. 12 and a one-hour show on Aug. 18 (Alabama Day). The races for Aug. 11 and 12 have not yet been determined.

One reason NBC won't be televising races from Saratoga in July is because of its coverage of the Summer Olympics.

"We are excited to extend our partnership with Charles Hayward and NYRA, one of our valued Triple Crown partners, to present Summer at Saratoga for two more years," said Jon Miller, president of programming for NBC Sports and Versus. "Saratoga is one of the iconic venues in American sports, and we couldn't be happier with the multi-platform success we shared in the first year of this partnership."

"The NBC Sports Group's landmark coverage of this summer's Saratoga meet was phenomenal," said Hayward, NYRA's president and CEO. "NBC and Verus took everything that is special about Saratoga, from the incredible racing to the unparalleled fan experience to the storied history and beauty of the track and the town, and conveyed those elements to viewers across the country. We are very excited to extend this partnership for at least two more years and are already looking forward to the 2012 meet."

The 2012 Saratoga meet is scheduled to run from July 20 through Sept. 3.