Lights, please, for the Breeders' Cup Classic on NBC from Santa Anita this time

The Breeders' Cup Classic is coming to prime time for the first time -- at least in places due East -- starting with this November's gathering of the top thoroughbreds at Santa Anita.

NBC Sports Group and the Breeders' Cup announced a multiyear deal for the network to televise the two-day Breeders' Cup World Championships, starting with the 2012 event.

This year, NBC Sports Network will televise the Breeders' Cup races on Nov. 2 and then do more on Nov. 3 before NBC picks up coverage for the $5 million Classic from 5-to-6 p.m. The races had been on ESPN and ABC in the past, although NBC aired the first races from 1984-2005.

NBC also televises the Triple Crown races - the Kentucky Derby, Preakness Stakes and Belmont Stakes.

"Everyone here is delighted that the Breeders' Cup has returned home," said Jon Miller, President, Programming, NBC Sports and NBC Sports Network. "Bringing back this prestigious event, combined with our long-term partnerships for the Triple Crown with Churchill Downs for the Kentucky Derby, in addition to the Preakness and Belmont cements the NBC Sports Group as the home of horse racing."