LOUISVILLE, Ky. (AP) 鈥� NBC Sports host Mike Tirico said on social media he hates being a 鈥渓ate scratch鈥� from because of a 鈥渟ignificant鈥� nut allergy reaction during coverage of the marquee race at Churchill Downs.
Ahmed Fareed took over coverage for the veteran broadcaster, who was scheduled to host coverage of the first jewel of horse racing’s Triple Crown for the ninth time. Tirico left the storied track in late afternoon and returned to his hotel, an NBC Sports spokesman said.
Tirico referred to the allergy on his official account on X and added that, 鈥淚f you have one you know how it can knock you down.鈥�
He thanked Churchill Downs for their care along with network horse racing colleagues Randy Moss, Jerry Bailey, Fareed and his 鈥淪yracuse fam鈥� for stepping up 鈥渢o do a great job.鈥�
___
AP horse racing:
Copyright © 2026 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, written or redistributed.
