NBC SPORTS GROUP DOUBLES BELMONT STAKES PROGRAMMING AS CALIFORNIA CHROME RUNS FOR HISTORY

NBC Sports Group Presents 16 Hours of Programming Culminating with the 146th Running of the Belmont Stakes Saturday, June 7, at 4:30 p.m. ET on NBC

Special Documentary California Chrome: The Unlikely Champion Debuts Wednesday, June 4 at 6:30 p.m. ET on NBCSN

STAMFORD, Conn. - May 28, 2014 - NBC Sports Group presents 16 hours of programming surrounding the 146th Belmont Stakes - more than double the number of hours initially scheduled - beginning next Wednesday, June 4.

On Saturday, June 7 at 4:30 p.m. ET on NBC, California Chrome runs for history, aiming to become the first Triple Crown winner since Affirmed in 1978.

Coverage begins Wednesday, June 4, at 6:30 p.m. ET on NBCSN with California Chrome: The Unlikely Champion, a special 30-minute documentary narrated by Bob Costas, detailing the story of an unlikely team of horsemen in co-owners Steve Coburn and Perry Martin coming together with trainer Art Sherman and jockey Victor Espinoza to take their horse to the brink of the Triple Crown.

Coverage continues with Belmont Classics Thursday, June 5, at 5:30 p.m. ET on NBCSN, with a look at past Belmont Stakes winners including three consecutive Triple Crown upsets: 2002 winner Sarava (beat Triple Crown hopeful War Emblem), 2003 winner Empire Maker ridden by NBC analyst and Hall of Fame jockey Jerry Bailey (topped Triple Crown contender Funny Cide), and 2004 winner Birdstone (beat Triple Crown hopeful Smarty Jones). Belmont Classics continues at 6:30 p.m. ET with a look at 2011 winner Ruler on Ice, 2012 winner Union Rags, and 2013 winner Palace Malice.

On Friday, June 6, at 5 p.m. ET, NBCSN presents Belmont Stakes Access featuring live race coverage of the True North and Belmont Gold Cup, as well as Belmont Stakes news, interviews and analysis. Later Friday evening at 8:30 p.m. ET and 9:30 p.m. ET respectively, NBCSN presents special one-hour looks back at California Chrome's victories in the Kentucky Derby and Preakness Stakes.

Race coverage on Saturday, June 7, begins at 2:30 p.m. ET on NBCSN, continues at 4:30 p.m. ET with the 146th running of the Belmont Stakes on NBC, and is followed by a post-race show at 7 p.m. ET on NBCSN.

Following is a full schedule of NBC Sports Group's Belmont Stakes programming:

THE BELMONT STAKES

Date Time Event Network

Weds., June 4 6:30 p.m. California Chrome: The Unlikely Champion NBCSN

Weds., June 4 10:30 p.m. California Chrome: The Unlikely Champion (Encore) NBCSN

Thurs., June 5 5:30 p.m. Belmont Classics (2002 Winner Sarava, 2003 Winner Empire Maker, 2004 Winner Birdstone) NBCSN

Thurs., June 5 6:30 p.m. Belmont Classics (2011 Winner Ruler on Ice, 2012 Winner Union Rags, 2013 Winner Palace Malice) NBCSN

Thurs., June 5 7:30 p.m. California Chrome: The Unlikely Champion NBCSN

Fri., June 6 3:30 p.m. California Chrome: The Unlikely Champion NBCSN

Fri., June 6 4 p.m. Belmont Classics (2002 Winner Sarava, 2003 Winner Empire Maker, 2004 Winner Birdstone) NBCSN

Fri., June 6 5 p.m. Belmont Stakes Access NBCSN

Fri., June 6 8 p.m. California Chrome: The Unlikely Champion NBCSN

Fri., June 6 8:30 p.m. 140th Kentucky Derby NBCSN

Fri., June 6 9:30 p.m. 139th Preakness Stakes NBCSN

Fri., June 6 10:30 p.m. Belmont Access (Encore) NBCSN

Sat., June 7 Midnight California Chrome: The Unlikely Champion NBCSN

Sat., June 7 2:30 p.m. Belmont Prep NBCSN

Sat., June 7 4:30 p.m. The 146th Belmont Stakes NBC

Sat., June 7 7 p.m. Belmont Post-Race Show NBCSN