For over two decades, Curt Menefee has been the steady hand guiding FOX NFL Sunday, earning respect as one of the network's top football hosts. But when he stepped into the anchor chair for Saturday's Belmont Stakes, the turf proved far less forgiving than a gridiron. Fans quickly took to social media to voice their frustration, accusing Menefee of being out of his depth in the world of thoroughbred racing.
FOX acquired the broadcast rights to the Belmont Stakes in 2023, inheriting the challenge of matching the high-energy, expert-driven coverage that NBC had delivered for years. The network assembled a strong supporting cast, including Charissa Thompson, Tom Amoss, Richard Migliore, Chris Fallica, and Jonathon Kinchen—all seasoned racing analysts. But for many viewers, Menefee's performance stood out for all the wrong reasons.
“Sorry FOX but Curt Menefee is over his head talking horses. The number of mistakes he’s said during this broadcast is off the charts. Plenty of other announcers who can do the job,” one user wrote on X. Another drew a sharp comparison: “Mike Tirico is Secretariat. Curt Menefee is Twice a Prince. There is a 31 length difference between the two in hosting televised horse racing.” A third viewer piled on, writing, “I don’t know what’s worse on TV right now... Watching Curt Menefee trying to host the Belmont Stakes.”
The criticism echoes a broader pattern of fan discontent with FOX's forays into sports beyond its core football strength. Earlier this year, NASCAR fans demanded Eric Brennan replace Jamie Little in the FOX booth after a similar backlash over on-air performance. And just last month, Jamie Little's perfect John Cena excuse—'I didn't see him'—became a viral moment, but not necessarily in a good way for the network.
Menefee did manage one bright spot during the broadcast: he floated the idea of an outside sponsor offering a massive reward for a Triple Crown winner, a creative suggestion aimed at addressing the difficulty of fielding top horses across all three classic races. It was a moment of insight that hinted at what might have been, but it wasn't enough to salvage the overall impression.
With nearly 40 years of broadcast experience spanning coast to coast, Menefee has proven his versatility time and again. But passion for horse racing, as it turns out, isn't the same as expertise. The Belmont Stakes is a high-stakes event where every misstep is magnified, and for a host used to the controlled chaos of the NFL, the unpredictable rhythm of the racetrack proved a steep learning curve.
The question now is whether FOX will stick with Menefee for future horse racing events or consider a change. The network has shown it's willing to listen to fan feedback—the Thunder urged to trade Chet Holmgren after a disastrous Game 7 performance shows how quickly public opinion can shift. For now, Menefee's Belmont outing serves as a reminder that even the most seasoned hosts can stumble when they step outside their comfort zone.
As the dust settles on the 158th running of the Belmont Stakes, one thing is clear: horse racing fans expect a high level of knowledge and precision from the person guiding the broadcast. Whether Menefee can earn that trust remains to be seen, but Saturday's performance suggests he has some homework to do before the next call to the post.
