Mike Battaglia
Mike Battaglia is an American horse racing analyst, race caller and television broadcaster. He is most closely associated with Churchill Downs and the Kentucky Derby. Battaglia has worked most of his career at Churchill Downs and Turfway Park. He has set the morning line odds at Churchill since 1974, and was the race announcer there from 1977 to 1997. He also has worked as announcer at Latonia Park. Besides Churchill, he also has set the morning line odds at many other tracks. He left his position as analyst for simulcast racing in 2008. Battaglia has been a member of the NBC Sports broadcast team for the Kentucky Derby and the Preakness Stakes since the network gained broadcast rights in 2001. He also worked the Belmont Stakes for NBC from 2001 through 2005, the Breeders' Cup from 1993 through 2005, and various other races televised by NBC from 1993 onward. Mike has been publishing his selections for years, and is considered one of the best handicappers in the game.