James Gagliano expects upward trend in Triple Crown viewership
As the prestigious Triple Crown 2012 edition is approaching, the President of The Jockey Club, James Gagliano, hopes that there will be manifold increase in viewership and sponsorship of the high-status event.
Gagliano also claims that the recent initiatives taken by the American horseracing authorities will go a long way to promote the sport in the nation.
He expressed these views in an exclusive interview with thebiglead.com.
On a question about the value of the Triple Crown races, Gagliano told that there had been an upward movement in terms of the interest level of the sport lovers towards the most glamorous event of the spot since last couple of years.
According to him, more than 30 million people enjoyed Triple Crown last year and the TV ratings for the event experienced a big surge of 55 percent from 2010.
He was also expecting very positive results of the efforts of the sport managers to promote their brand in the entire region.
Considering the importance of the game, The National Thoroughbred Racing Association (NTRA) has launched a number of effective measures to rekindle the people’s interest in the races.
Currently, the entire focus is being placed on the Triple Crown which is just round the corner.
The three Triple Crown 2012 races are scheduled as below:
138th running of the $2 million-guaranteed Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands at 1 1/4 miles at Churchill Downs in Louisville on Saturday, May 5;
137th running of the $1 million Preakness, which will be run at 1 3/16 miles at Pimlico Race Course in Baltimore on Saturday, May 19;
144th running of the $1 million Belmont Stakes at 1 1/2 miles at Belmont Park on Saturday, June 9.
Each of these contests contains various talented and experienced colts. It is highly expected that someone will surely be able to break the jinx and bring home the ace title of the mega event for the first time since 1978.
Remember, Affirmed was the last of the total 11 horses who have won Triple Crown so far. The first one was Sir Barton who bagged the title in 1919.
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