TurfPublicists: MASN RETURNS SATURDAYS AT SARATOGA STARTING JULY 31ST

Wednesday, July 28, 2010

Contacts: Dan Silver

Todd Webster

MASN RETURNS SATURDAYS AT SARATOGA STARTING JULY 31^ST

SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. – The New York Racing Association, Inc. (NYRA) and the Mid-Atlantic Sports Network (MASN) have announced a partnership to air the series “Saturdays at Saratoga” on MASN, expanding the distribution of the program to a seven-state region that extends from Harrisburg, Pennsylvania to Charlotte, North Carolina, and reaches more than 5.5 million households.

MASN will carry live coverage of six Saturdays, from 5-6 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time, beginning Saturday, July 31 with the Grade 1 Diana and Grade 2 Jim Dandy. Jason Blewitt, Eric Donovan and Andy Serling will provide commentary for the telecasts, which are jointly produced by MSG Plus and NYRA.

“We’re thrilled to partner with MASN and broaden the distribution of ‘Saturdays at Saratoga,’” said Hal Handel, NYRA vice president and COO. “Saratoga Race Course hosts the top thoroughbred racing in the country and we’re delighted that viewers in the Mid-Atlantic region will be able to watch the action on our biggest days.”

The “Saturdays at Saratoga” telecasts will include live coverage of ten graded stakes races, including the Travers, Jim Dandy, Whitney, Betfair TVG Alabama and Woodward, races won by the likes of War Admiral, Kelso, Dr. Fager, Easy Goer, 2007 and 2008 Horse of the Year Curlin, and 2009 Horse of the Year Rachel Alexandra.

Below is the schedule for “Saturdays at Saratoga” live on MSG Plus and MASN:

Date Time Races

July 31 5 – 6 $500,000 Diana (G1) and $500,000 Jim Dandy (G2)

August 7 5 – 6 $750,000 Whitney (G1) and $250,000 Test (G1)

August 14 5 – 6 $500,000 Sword Dancer (G1)

August 21 5 – 6 $500,000 Betfair TVG Alabama (G1)

August 28 5 – 6 $1 Million Travers (G1) and $250,000 King’s Bishop (G1)

September 4 5 – 6 $750,000 Woodward (G1) and $250,000 Forego (G1)

This is MASN’s second year televising Saturdays at Saratoga in partnership with NYRA. MASN strives to provide the highest caliber national and local thoroughbred racing to viewers throughout Maryland, Virginia, Washington D.C., and parts of Pennsylvania, Delaware, West Virginia and North Carolina.

MASN carries a variety of additional racing programming including “Thoroughbred Week,” a regular recap of racing insights and highlights, as well as “Against the Odds,” a weekly preview of the country’s top stakes races produced by HRTV, and “Inside Information” an in-depth look at the personalities in thoroughbred racing, also produced by HRTV. The network has also televised Trackside Live, a weekly tour of the best racetracks in the country.

“We are looking forward to another great summer of racing and we are pleased to partner with MASN and vastly expand the audience for ‘Saturdays at Saratoga,’” said Hal Handel, NYRA vice president and COO. “Saratoga Race Course hosts the best thoroughbred racing in the country and we’re delighted that viewers throughout the mid-Atlantic will be able to watch the action on some of our biggest days."

“MASN has earned widespread praise from viewers for its genuine commitment to promoting and televising the very best of the thoroughbred sport in and around the mid-Atlantic region,” said MASN spokesman Todd Webster. “Saturdays at Saratoga brings the magic of that prestigious series and the charm of Saratoga Springs to seven million homes each week during the late summer.”

Last year, the “Saturdays at Saratoga” broadcast of the Woodward on September 5 earned honorable mention in the Local Television category of the Media Eclipse Awards, the racing industry’s top awards platform. Rachel Alexandra’s stirring victory in the Woodward made her the first filly to ever win the prestigious race, and helped propel her to Horse of the Year honors.

About NYRA

Founded in 1955, and franchised to run thoroughbred racing at New York’s three major tracks through 2033, NYRA boasts a lineage that actually stretches back almost 150 years. NYRA tracks are the cornerstone of the state’s thoroughbred business which contributes more than $2 billion annually to New York State’s urban, suburban and rural economy. In 2009, more than 1.6 million people attended the live races at NYRA tracks. Factoring nationwide off-track wagering, the average daily betting handle on NYRA races alone totals more than $9.3 million every race day. NYRA has a vast network of websites, including www.nyra.com, www.belmontstakes.com, and www.nyragroupsales.com. You can also follow NYRA on social media platforms Facebook, Flickr, Twitter, and YouTube.

About MASN

MASN is the television home of the Baltimore Orioles and Washington Nationals. The network carries over 600 live sporting events every year including more than 275 NCAA Division I football, basketball, and lacrosse games. MASN is currently carried on 25 cable and satellite providers throughout a seven-state region. Follow MASN on Twitter, @masnsports.

About MSG Media

MSG Media is a leader in production and content development for multiple distribution platforms, including content originating from MSG’s venues. MSG Media consists of the MSG Networks (MSG, MSG Plus, MSG HD and MSG Plus HD) regional sports networks and the Fuse Networks (Fuse and Fuse HD), a national television network dedicated to music. MSG Media is also responsible for managing interactive initiatives (online, mobile, VOD and iTV) across all business segments. MSG Media is part of Madison Square Garden, Inc., (NASDAQ: MSG) a fully-integrated sports, entertainment and media business. The company is comprised of three business segments: MSG Sports, MSG Entertainment and MSG Media, which are strategically aligned to work together to drive MSG’s overall business, which is built on a foundation of iconic venues and compelling content that MSG creates, produces, presents and/or distributes through its programming networks and other media assets. MSG Sports consists of owning and operating sports franchises, including the New York Knicks (NBA), the New York Rangers (NHL), the New York Liberty (WNBA), and the Hartford Wolf Pack (AHL). MSG Sports also features other sports properties, including the presentation of a wide variety of live sporting events including professional boxing, college basketball, track and field and tennis. MSG Entertainment is one of the country’s leaders in live entertainment. MSG Entertainment creates, produces and/or presents a variety of live productions, including the Radio City Christmas Spectacular featuring the Radio City Rockettes, throughout the country. MSG Entertainment also presents or hosts other live entertainment events such as concerts, family shows and special events in MSG’s diverse collection of venues. These venues include Madison Square Garden, Radio City Music Hall, the Theater at Madison Square Garden, the Beacon Theater, the Chicago Theater and the Wang Theater. More information is available at www.msg.com.

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