NBC and Peacock's coverage of the 151st Preakness Stakes (G1) May 16 at Laurel Park was the most watched in five years, with an average of 5.5 million viewers tuning in, peaking at 7.1 million for the race itself.
The news was shared by NBC Sports on X, which also shared that the Preakness was promoted during NBA and MLB games, which helped publicize the second leg of the Triple Crown. NBC Sports' coverage of Preakness weekend included host Ahmed Fareed, with analysts Jerry Bailey and Randy Moss, handicapping by Matt Bernier, and reporting from Britney Eurton, Donna Brothers, Kenny Rice, and Nick Luck. The race was called by Larry Collmus. Between the George E. Mitchell Black-Eyed Susan Stakes (G2) May 15 and Preakness Saturday, NBC and Peacock covered 11 races from Laurel Park.
While the Kentucky Derby (G1) winner Golden Tempo did not race, NBC covered a review of the race, which marked the first time in Kentucky Derby history that a woman had trained a horse to that prestigious victory.
The Preakness Stakes was won by trainer Chad Summers and owner Gold Square's Napoleon Solo, who did not compete in the Kentucky Derby.
As opposed to the first two legs of the Triple Crown being covered by NBC, the third and final leg, the Belmont Stakes (G1), will air on Fox Sports. The race is set for June 6 at Saratoga Race Course for the final time before it returns to Belmont Park in 2027.
