NBC Sports’ coverage of the Kentucky Derby is about to get a lot more fun. The network announced that John Fanta is joining its coverage of the Run for the Roses, reporting primarily from the infield.

If you’ve watched Fanta call games or follow him on social media, you know that his high energy is the perfect match for the shenanigans that take place in the infield at Churchill Downs. Over the years, he made a name for himself as a play-by-play announcer for Fox Sports. In 2025, he moved to NBC Sports as the lead Big East basketball play-by-play announcer. Fanta has also contributed to the network’s college football and NBA coverage, calling a Minnesota Timberwolves vs. Portland Trail Blazers game in February.

NBC Sports is counting on Fanta to bring that energy to its broadcast, which also includes Mike Tirico as host and Jerry Baily and Randy Moss as analysts.

“We’re excited to have John join our coverage at Churchill Downs, where his unbridled enthusiasm and effusive personality will be a perfect match with the spectators enjoying the racing and revelry from the infield,” said Lindsay Schanzer, supervising producer of NBC Sports’ Kentucky Derby coverage in a press release.

“There is simply nothing like the Kentucky Derby, and to join a team of horse racing legends and Emmy winners in NBC’s 26th presentation of an event that stands in a class of its own is thrilling and humbling,” said Fanta. “It’s been an amazing first year with NBC Sports and I’m excited and honored to be taking on another new challenge and heading to Churchill Downs for the 152nd chapter of the longest continuously held sporting event in America.”

Fanta will be part of the network’s coverage of the Kentucky Oaks, which takes place in primetime for the first time on Friday, May 1, and the Derby on Saturday, May 2, starting at Noon ET on Peacock and NBCSN and continuing at 2:30 p.m. ET on NBC and Peacock. That’s a long time on television, which Fanta told Sports Illustrated’s Jimmy Traina makes him even more committed to keeping the vibes high.

“The energy and the buzz and the electricity that I try to authentically bring to anything,” said Fanta. “It’s not something that’s forced.”

“For me, it is the most exciting two minutes in sports, and we’re on for seven-plus hours. I think one of our goals is to keep the audience excited and engaged and tell stories about what’s happening. The infield is where the unexpected has occurred, and a lot of the fun over the years since the 1930s has happened. So, I want to embrace it and add to the party. I consider myself invited to one of the best shows in sports the entirety of the year, so when they come to me, I want to bring that energy, which is not something that I have to flip an on switch for. I’m ready to go.”

Fanta’s already working on his outfit, telling Traina he’s especially focused on hats. I’m sure whatever he goes with will be a little worse for the wear after two days in the infield (hopefully, he doesn’t get tossed in a mud puddle like Ryan Lemond). Also, I hope he’s ready to meet Nick Roush, because Nick Roush is ready to meet him.

• Intrepido will enter the Kentucky Derby off a fourth-place finish in the Santa Anita Derby on April 4.
• Trainer Jeff Mullins is looking to saddle a horse in the Kentucky Derby for the first time since 2005.

Intrepido is one of 20 horses expected to enter the 2026 Kentucky Derby on May 2 at Churchill Downs.

Spots for the Run for the Roses are earned by gaining points through a series of Kentucky Derby prep races that began last September.

The post-position draw for the Kentucky Derby is set for Saturday, April 25. Post time for the Kentucky Derby is set for 6:57 p.m. on Saturday, May 2.

Intrepido will enter the Kentucky Derby off a fourth-place finish in the Grade 1 Santa Anita Derby on April 4. He currently ranks 17th on the Kentucky Derby points leaderboard with 38.

Buy tickets here for Kentucky Derby 152

Color: Bay.

Bred in: Kentucky.

Sire: Maximus Mischief.

Dam: Overly Indulgent, by Pleasantly Perfect.

Price tag: $385,000 at 2025 Ocala Breeders’ Spring Sale of 2-Year-Olds in Training.

Owners: Dutch Girl Holdings (Michele Arthur); Irving Ventures (Ruben Isla). First Derby for both.

Trainer: Jeff Mullins. He’s 0 for 4 in the Derby, best finish with Buzzards Bay (fifth) in 2005.

Jockey: Hector Berrios. First Derby.

Record: 2-1-0 in six starts.

Career earnings: $342,800.

Road to the Kentucky Derby points: 38 (No. 17).

Last race: Fourth in Grade 1 Santa Anita Derby on April 4.

Running style: Has displayed early speed but raced off pace in Santa Anita Derby.

Notes: Intrepido has done all of his racing in California, winning as a 2-year old at Del Mar and Santa Anita. This year, he finished second in the Grade 3 Robert Lewis before heading to the Santa Anita Derby. … Mullins is in the Derby for the first time since 2005 but had the morning-line favorite in 2009 with I Want Revenge. He was scratched the morning of the race because of an ankle injury. … Intrepido is a ridgling, which means he has at least one undescended testicle.

What they’re saying: “I didn’t (expect that),” Mullins said after Intrepido worked a quick 47.4 seconds for four furlongs on April 19 at Santa Anita Park. “But we often get what we don’t expect.”

Jason Frakes: 502-582-4046; jfrakes@courier-journal.com. Follow on X @KentuckyDerbyCJ.

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