Owned by Robert Mitchell of Saskatoon and trained by wily veteran Bert Blake, the Kentucky-bred son of late sire Deputy Minister- T.V. by T. V. Commercial was coming off a two race losing steak. He lost the July 10 Manitoba Derby Trial to Minnesota invader Stormy Business by 2-14-lengths and prior to his that start finished 4th in the $125,000 Alberta Derby at Stampede Park in Calgary with local rider Ricky Walcott on June 18th on a very sloppy track.

Following those two losses, Hightower and Blake realized they needed to get the colt to relax and not run for the lead as he had done in his previous starts. That is exactly what happened in the Manitoba Lotteries Derby. Hightower held the colt back, and going into the first turn he was dead last. But as the front-runners headed into the final turn, Hightower moved to the outside and passed the entire field by the time he hit the homed stretch. From there it was strictly a hand ride all the way. Prime Time T. V. drew away to score the impressive 10-3/4-lengths victory. The first place purse money was worth $60,000. Prime Time T.V.'s season record improves to 3-2-0 after 7 stats with season earnings of $109,784. His career record after 9 starts now 4-2-0 with career earnings totaling $125,749.

Following the victory, Travis Hightower said he really wasn't worried about being at the back of the pack. "I needed to get him relaxed. Bert left the race decision in my hands; he trusts my judgment so that's what we did. Hightower added, "He was really goofing off down the backside and wouldn't pay attention to what he was suppose to be doing. Once I got him to the outside going into the final turn, he got back into his running mode. Then he started paying attention and I just sat on him till we made our move and took over the lead. When we did, he was doing what he was supposed to be doing and we won."

Owner Robert Mitchell whose father Bill owned the 1993 Manitoba Derby winner Royal Frolic, also trained by Bert Blake, was to say the least ecstatic about the win. "We discussed the strategy, we knew if we could keep him back for the first part of the feature he would run a big race, and he ran a huge race today", was Mitchell's initial comment. Mitchell went on to thank Bert Blake and Nicholas Lotz in Kentucky, who helped him get Prime Time T.V. He also stated he loves running horses at Assiniboia Downs.

This was trainer Bert Blake's first Manitoba Derby win since 1993 when he last won the Manitoba Derby with Royal Frolic. "Well, when he went by the grandstand dead last, the reins were hanging, but that was the key," said Blake. He added, "He was relaxed until the half mile pole, then he picked his head up a little bit and went after them. Then he caught up to the pack at the turn, and that's the way he runs best."

Blake admitted that this victory was a headache compared to his 1993 win with Royal Frolic. "We worked hard the last 2-1/2 weeks getting him ready and between Travis and exercise riders Keith Corbel and Tanya Lindsay we were able to get him ready. Blake added that the ride Hightower came through with and the victory was outstanding. "He did it book perfect," was Blake's final comment.