Are we getting close to a primetime Derby?

[slotdirt]

I think that if more folks would watch the Derby if it had a later start time, I'd be all for it.

[hi_im_god]

if you want to reach a younger demographic i'm not sure saturday night prime time tv is the answer.

you're going up against csi, criminal minds, and america's most wanted so i'm sure you'll kick some ass. but there's a reason the simpson writers thought making grandpa a matlock fan would strike a chord.

it's getting close to summer. it's a nice night out. let's stay home and watch tv. who does that?

[Thunder Gulch]

I'm thinking they make a test run of it with the Oaks on ESPN and then push it on over to an 8pm Derby a few years later.

[PatCummings]

Originally Posted by Thunder Gulch

I'm thinking they make a test run of it with the Oaks on ESPN and then push it on over to an 8pm Derby a few years later.

For what its worth, May in Louisville is not really dark at 8pm, being on the far western edge of the eastern time zone. If they truly want it under the lights, 9pm is more of a lock for that, but it could go even later, who knows.

[Mawhip]

Originally Posted by Thunder Gulch

I'm thinking they make a test run of it with the Oaks on ESPN and then push it on over to an 8pm Derby a few years later.

They had a test run with the BC last year. It's a bad idea.

[dalakhani]

Originally Posted by Mawhip

They had a test run with the BC last year. It's a bad idea.

Bc wasn't prime time

[ateamstupid]

Eh, I'm against it. Nighttime racing is nice as a change of pace, but the vast majority of top racing in Amerca is conducted during the day and the Derby has been a day race for 140 years, so I don't like the idea of messing with the late afternoon post. Plus, as h_i_g said, I doubt it'll make it more of a viewing event.

[3kings]

I think an evening post would help ratings and wagering similarly to the Saturday of Final Four Weekend. A lot of people would have groups of friends over to watch and I think more people may be introduced to betting. With computer betting it is so easy to set up an account I think it would introduce more people to wagering.

I have had a few afternoon Derby cookouts over the years and everyone wanted some action even if they had never wagered before. Many people had to show up after later or after the race because they or their kids were involved in Saturday baseball, soccer, golf etc....... That is why prime time or early evening would make more sense.