It’s a good thing NBC had Ahmed Fareed warming up in the bullpen on Saturday so he could step in and relieve Mike Tirico. Tirico began hosting NBC’s coverage of the Kentucky Derby on Saturday, but it was clear immediately that he did not sound right.

Mike Tirico stepped away from his role as NBC’s host for the Kentucky Derby for at least a portion of the coverage due to an unspecified illness.

NBC delivered a solid Kentucky Derby broadcast, with host Ahmed Fareed unexpectedly having to sub in for a sick Mike Tirico.