United Kingdom: BBC to Cover Derby in HD

While this spring's Kentucky Derby, America's premiere equestrian event, is already in the history books, in the U.K it's nearly time for its own Derby that the BBC plans to air live from Epsom Racecourse ("The Oaks") on June 1-2.

Coverage of The Derby (officially known this year as the "2007 Vodafone Derby") will include past derby winner Willie Carson, who this year will mark the 30th anniversary of his triumph in The Oaks on the Queen's horse Dunfermline.

The BBC once again will employ the Railcam--a remote-controlled camera mounted on a specially built single-rail that offers a unique view of the field of horses as it rounds the turn on one in the most important legs of The Derby, according to the BBC.

The broadcaster also plans to use a new graphics system that will be located in the jockeys' weighing room that the BBC said will illustrate the big moments in the race as commentators analyze the action from various angles.

BBC Two's HD/SD coverage will begin on the afternoon of Friday, June 1. Coverage on Saturday, June 2, will be on BBC One. The big race itself will have a go of it at 4:20 p.m. London time.