ABC will have "more than 26 manned cameras" and the
ability to shoot from 75 positions at Churchill Downs for
its coverage of Saturday's Kentucky Derby, according to
Prentis Rogers of the ATLANTA CONSTITUTION. Event Producer
Curt Gowdy Jr. said the net "will attempt to have a jockey-
cam" if it can obtain permission (ATLANTA CONSTITUTION,
5/1). Gowdy also hopes to have wireless mikes on "as many
as" four riders (Michael Hirsley, CHICAGO TRIBUNE, 5/1).
DRAWING FLAWS? Wednesday's Derby draw mix-up on ESPN is
still in the news. In N.Y., Phil Mushnick writes that the
"ESPN-aided butchering" of the draw is "more evidence of
sports TV's misguided, arrogant desire to both cover and
conduct a news event" (N.Y. POST, 5/1). Also in N.Y., Bob
Raissman writes that Churchill Downs President Tom Meeker
"never should have given ESPN the opportunity to run the
draw. ... TV has too much control over sports already" (N.Y.
DAILY NEWS, 5/1). In St. Pete, Ernest Hooper faults ESPN
for becoming "part of a story it simply was supposed to
cover" (ST. PETERSBURG TIMES, 5/1). In San Antonio, Tim
Price called it a "made-for-TV mess" (EXPRESS-NEWS, 5/1).
