NBC no doubt took a major ratings blow when I'll Have Another was scratched from the 2012 Belmont Stakes, leaving the race without a potential Triple Crown winner. The race was still a big ratings draw, however, even without its biggest story line during the three-week lead up. The event drew a 5.4 rating and a 13 share, which is a 13 percent increase over last year's Belmont Stakes, and 74 percent over the 2010 race on ABC.
The ratings were the best for a non-Triple Crown Belmont since 2005. Predictably, ratings would have fared much better if I'll Have Another had been healthy. Big Brown's attempt to win the Triple Crown in 2008 drew a 9.5 rating a 21 share for ABC.
This year's Belmont did especially well in the New York market, drawing a 9.6 rating and 22 share--a 30 percent increase over the previous year.
For more on the 2012 Belmont Stakes, please be sure to check out our blog And Down The Stretch They Come along with SB Nation New York for all the latest news and updates.