NBC will interview controversial horse trainer Bob Baffert at the Kentucky Derby.
The 151st edition of the race takes place at Churchill Downs on Saturday.
And making an appearance for the first time since 2021 will be famed trainer Baffert.
The six-time race winner is back from a three-year suspension and is set to appear on air with NBC host Mike Tirico.
Baffert, 72, was hit with the sanction after his winning horse, Medina Spirit, failed a drug test.
Medina Spirit died of a heart attack later that year and was subsequently stripped of his Derby title.
Baffert blamed “cancel culture’’ for his suspension and will now sit down with Tirico pre-race.
Tirico said of the sit-down: “It’s not going to be a constant drumbeat throughout the five hours, but if you’re watching the coverage, you’ll understand the perspective.’’
And NBC Sports senior producer Lindsay Schanzer said: “[The network] will definitely spend some time informing the audience about why that [ban] was in place and why Churchill Downs has embraced [Baffert’s] return at this point.’’
Fellow Derby-winning trainer Doug O’Neill believes Baffert should be welcomed back , despite breaking the rules.
He told the New York Times: “He broke the rules, but he wasn’t trying to cheat.
“It’s confusing because it’s a therapeutic medication. He’s allowed to use it. It just can’t be in the horse’s system.
“But I do think it’s important that Churchill treated him like anybody else. He’s the biggest name in horse racing, and he broke a rule.
“That’s a credit to them. They called it. …But he also paid his dues, and he should be welcomed back like anyone else.’’
Baffert also spoke to the Times and when asked about how he feels about returning to the Kentucky Derby, he pulled out a quote from the movie ‘No Country for Old Men’.
He said: “There’s a line in ‘No Country for Old Men’. ‘An old guy gets shot, a cowboy like me’.
“’Well, all the time you spend trying to get back what’s been took from you, more is going out the door. After a while, you just have to try to get a tourniquet on it.’’’
He added: “That’s how I feel about all of this. It’s time for the tourniquet.’’
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