Dateline: 01/04/2005

Wave 3 TV in Louisville Wins Media Eclipse Award for Local Televsion Program

The National Thoroughbred Racing Association (NTRA) today announced that WAVE 3 TV in Louisville has won the Media Eclipse Award for Local Television for its pre-and post-race coverage surrounding last year's Kentucky Derby from Churchill Downs. WAVE 3 TV devoted nine-and-one half hours of Derby day coverage, weaving background news features and celebrity and racing personality interviews with live race coverage prior to the Derby.

Among the members of the production team were producers Caroline Dickie, Amy Foos, Michael Lattin, and director Tim Ingram. This is the first Media Eclipse Award for WAVE 3 TV, the Louisville NBC affiliate.

"We couldn't be more proud of winning an Eclipse Award in this city and what it means for us covering the Kentucky Derby," said Dan Foos, Executive Producer of WAVE 3 TV on behalf of the station and the more than 100 personnel who worked on the broadcast. "We have an all-star team of on air talent and production. We all grew up with horseracing, and each year we try to make a better show than the last one for our daily viewers and for the people who follow the sport on a regular basis."

Steve Langford is General Manager of WAVE 3 TV. Jeff Hoffman is station manager.

Honorable mention in this category goes to CN8 in Philadelphia for "Smarty Jones: The Inside Story," produced by Bruce Casella, which aired on June 11, 2004.

Judges for the Local Television category were Jack Coffey of Eclipse Productions; Stan Isaacs, former Newsday sports television columnist; and Rob Duboff of Hawk Partners.

Premiere Radio Wins Media Eclipse Award for Audio and Multi-Media Internet for Belmont Stakes Broadcast

The National Thoroughbred Racing Association (NTRA) today announced that Premiere Radio Networks has won the Media Eclipse Award in the Audio and Multi-Media Internet category, for its live national coverage of the 2004 Belmont Stakes on June 5 of last year. This is the third Eclipse Award for Premiere Radio, which previously received honors in 2000 and 2002.

"The Belmont Stakes was a wonderful story with Smarty Jones capturing the imagination of the country," said Shelby Whitfield, executive producer of the 90-minute Premiere Radio broadcast. "My team of consummate professionals did the event justice. Race caller Dave Johnson, anchor Don Chevrier, field reporter Fred Manfra and analyst Gregg McCarron share my love for Thoroughbred racing, and it shows in their work. Premiere Radio Networks took great pride in presenting comprehensive coverage of the Belmont to listeners across the country."

Honorable mention in this Audio and Multi-Media Internet category went to Michael Brunker of MSNBC for "21-Year-Old Trainer Wise Beyond Her Years," about trainer Kristen Mulhall, which aired on April 29, 2004, combining audio and narrative elements from the msnbc.com Website; and to WBAL Radio in Baltimore for its coverage of the 2004 Preakness Stakes on May 15 of last year.

Judges for the Audio and Multi Media Internet category were Jim Militello of Associated Press Radio; Brian Rublein, former news director of WHAS Radio in Louisville; and Mike Farrell, racing journalist and former UPI Radio reporter.

Eclipse Awards are given to recognize members of the media for outstanding coverage of Thoroughbred racing. Eclipse Awards are bestowed upon horses and individuals whose outstanding achievements have earned them the title of Champion in their respective categories. Awards also are given to recognize members of the media for outstanding coverage of Thoroughbred racing.

The Eclipse Awards are named after the great 18th-century racehorse and sire Eclipse, who began racing at age five and was undefeated in 18 starts, including eight walkovers. Eclipse sired the winners of 344 races, including three Epsom Derbies.

The 2004 Eclipse Awards will be held January 24, 2005 at the Regent Beverly Wilshire in Beverly Hills, California.

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