Wed Jan 2 18:02:52 2008

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NBC recognized for 2007 Kentucky Derby broadcast

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New York, NY (Sports Network) - NBC Sports' broadcast of the 2007 Kentucky Derby has been honored with the Media Eclipse Award for National Television - Live Racing. The National Thoroughbred Racing Association made the announcement Wednesday that NBC Sports recorded its seventh consecutive Live Television Media award.

"We are extremely excited to win the Eclipse Award for a terrific telecast," said producer Sam Flood. "We had an excellent team of announcers, led by our host Tom Hammond who, year after year, brings passion and dedication and sets high standards for our group that comes through with everyone."

The two-hour program was directed by David Michaels, who Flood credits for obtaining the emotional scene of winning jockey Calvin Borel on Street Sense returning to the cheers of more than 100,000 fans.

"That was the magical moment," said Flood. "We stayed with him [Borel] on the ride back and captured all the emotion of his achieving a lifelong dream."

Along with Hammond, the broadcast was hosted by Bob Costas. Retired Hall of Fame jockey Gary Stevens served as the expert analyst, the handicappers were Mike Battaglia and Bob Neumeier, Donna Brothers and Kenny Rice were the reporters and Tom Durkin called the race.

Dick Ebersol and David Neal were the executive producers and Rob Hyland was the co-producer.

The panel that made the unanimous decision was made up of Bob Fishman, director, CBS Sports; Pete Macheska, director, Fox Sports and Bud Lamoreaux, former CBS Sports producer.

The 2007 Eclipse Awards ceremony will be held on Monday, January 21, 2008 at the Beverly Wilshire Four Seasons Hotel in Beverly Hills, California.