Sports broadcaster Curt Menefee made some friendly discussion June 6, though not with his usual co-hosts on National Football League programs, but with horse trainers. He and other Fox Sports representatives hit the Belmont Park backstretch Tuesday morning, making introductions and compiling background for the network’s television coverage of the June 10 Belmont Stakes Presented by NYRA Bets.

This year, FOX takes over the broadcast of the Belmont from NBC, which had carried all three Triple Crown races since 2011. NBC still televises the Kentucky Derby Presented by Woodford Reserve and Preakness Stakes.

Menefee, one of FOX Sports’ most recognizable faces from hosting “FOX NFL Sunday,”, will anchor FOX’s main broadcast from 4-7:30 p.m. ET Saturday, while “America’s Day at The Belmont” will air beginning at 11 a.m. on FS1. The two programs will air simultaneously during a portion of the day.

Laffit Pincay III, Greg Wolf, and Andy Serling will continue to helm the FS1 program, which is geared toward more experienced handicappers. Jonathon Kinchen, Gary Stevens, Acacia Clement, Michelle Yu, Richard Migliore, Paul Lo Duca, and Maggie Wolfendale also will contribute, the network said.

Menefee characterized himself as a casual fan of horse racing but with enthusiasm for the sport.

“I read BloodHorse every day,” he said excitedly, showing off an app on his phone.

“Like the average American, I follow the Triple Crown races,” he added. “And so every year I watch the three races in the Triple Crown and that’s it.

“I live in Southern California. So I’ve been to Santa Anita. I’ve been to Del Mar. So I’ve been in some of the races in person. And it’s always just a fun experience. But I Iike sports in general; anytime you can see great competition like we should have on Saturday. “

Curt Menefee (Courtesy of Fox Sports)

FOX has paired Menefee with horse racing experts, including trainer Tom Amoss, Wolfendale (who is to contribute to both programs), and Hall of Fame jockey Mike Smith, a three-time Belmont Stakes winner, most recently aboard Triple Crown winner Justify in 2018. Amoss and Wolfendale are frequent FS1 commentators.

Chris Fallica, a longtime analyst on ESPN’s “College Gameday,” also is set to make his FOX Sports debut, sharing handicapping expertise with Charissa Thompson.

Emmy Award-winning reporter Tom Rinaldi will also be a part of the broadcast, which is to include an interview with Hall of Fame trainer Bob Baffert, who starts Preakness winner National Treasure  in Saturday’s 1 1/2-mile final leg of the Triple Crown. And FOX has brought announcing legend Tom Durkin out of retirement to call the Belmont and three other Grade 1 races.

Both Fox Sports programs feature coverage of the Jaipur Stakes, Hill ‘n’ Dale Metropolitan Handicap and Resorts World Casino Manhattan Stakes leading up to the main event.

A feature on the 50th anniversary of Secretariat’s 31-length romp and successful Triple Crown run in 1973 is one aspect of FOX’s Saturday coverage. FOX appeared to be re-creating non-racing scenes on Belmont’s dirt track Tuesday afternoon, with an unidentified chestnut colt posing as Secretariat paraded in front of cameras and extras. Wearing the iconic blue and white colors of Meadow Stable, current jockey Dylan Davis played the role of Secretariat’s regular rider, Ron Turcotte.

According to Tony Allevato, president of NYRA Bets and chief revenue officer for the New York Racing Association, NYRA track photographer Adam Coglianese was to act as his late father, Bob, who served in that same NYRA track photographer position in 1973.

“FOX built out a whole set for like a 2 1/2-minute feature,” Allevato said.

The Secretariat statue at Belmont Park. (Eclipse Sportswire)

Behind the scenes, FOX has brought in Emmy Award-winning producers Bill Richards and Pete Macheska and Emma Award-winning director Matt Gangl, all with backgrounds in major sporting events.

Richards praised NBC’s coverage of the Triple Crown and said FOX, “in our first year, (we’re) not going to be right there” with a network seasoned in racing broadcasts.

While acknowledging the current equine issue the industry is facing, amplified by a dozen fatalities this spring at Churchill Downs, Richards said FOX’s emphasis will be to report, not dwell on negativity.

“But the one thing we like to do is celebrate,” he said. “It’s New York. It’s a big day in New York. It’s a big betting day in New York. And we want to put that across.”

In keeping with that theme, retired New York Yankees shortstop and Baseball Hall of Famer Derek Jeter, who works for FOX, has recorded promotional “teases” for FOX’s Belmont television broadcast.

“They brought out the ‘A team,’“ Allevato said of the network’s broadcast talent.