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Justify took the Kentucky Derby. Photo by Coady Photography.

by Frank Vespe

Television ratings for the Kentucky Derby, telecast by NBC Sports, dropped to their lowest level in six years. The Derby recorded an overnight rating of 9.1, NBC Sports said on Twitter.

That was down from last year’s 10.5 percent and a result, in part, of the Derby going head-to-head with an NBA playoff game between the Philadelphia 76ers and Boston Celtics.

The telecast’s rating peaked at 10.9 (with a 25 share) from 6:45 to 7:00 p.m. as Justify earned the blanket of roses. NBC’s Derby coverage has earned a rating of at least 9.0 for 12 consecutive years.

The top metered market was Louisville, with a rating of 37.2. Three Florida markets — West Palm Beach, Tampa, and Orlando — were all among the top 10.

Top markets for NBC’s @KentuckyDerby telecast:

1 – Louisville 37.2/62
2 – Ft. Meyers 20.0/36
3 – Cincinnati 19.8/36
4 – Knoxville 17.8/32
5 – Pittsburgh 16.4/33
6 – Buffalo 15.9/32
7 – New Orleans 14.3/25
8 – West Palm Beach 14.1/28
9 – Tampa 13.4/27
10 – Orlando 13.1/28

— NBC Sports PR (@NBCSportsPR) May 6, 2018

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