Sports Filled Weekend

Horse racing was once of the biggest sports in United States. Now, interest focuses mainly on the Triple Crown races and the granddaddy of them all is Saturday at 6:30 p.m. in lovely Louisville, Ky., at Churchill Downs.

Yes, it’s the 142nd Kentucky Derby. Ladies in finery and outlandish hats, gentlemen sipping mint juleps, and then the Run for the Roses (by the horses). NBC will have all of the action, all day long. Post time is 6:34 p.m.

Horse racing is featured twice in our Weekend TV Six-Pack, because we’d also like to advise you that the Kentucky Oaks, the premier race for 3-year-old fillies, and that full racing card occupies the 12:30-6 p.m. time slot on Friday on NBC Sports. Post time for the Kentucky Oaks is 5:49 p.m.

In the NBA, the Cleveland Cavaliers’ expected demolition of the Atlanta Hawks is set for Friday night at 7 p.m. on ESPN (and a likely close-out in Game 4 is Sunday at 3:30 p.m. on ABC). The Cavs are up 2-0. The San Antonio Spurs and Oklahoma City Thunder, tied 1-1 in their playoff series, follow at 9:30 p.m. on ESPN. Saturday night brings the Golden State Warriors, with a 2-0 lead, against the Portland Trail Blazers at 8:30 p.m. on ABC.

In the NHL, we’ll recommend Saturday night’s Game 5 between the Pittsburgh Penguins and Washington Capitals. The Caps, the best team in the league through the regular season, trail 3-1 in the series. They’re at home, though, at 7:15 p.m. on NBC.

Put your heiner in the recliner and relax. And please, watch responsibly.
 
 
Post By: Larry Weisman, a longtime sportswriter for USA TODAY, blogs for Twistity.com. Follow him on Twitter @MrLarryWeisman