Smarty sure bet on TV For NBC, which lost the coveted NFL package a few years ago, Smarty Jones-mania is a welcome ratings boost. The Kentucky Derby and the Preakness have scored the highest numbers for the respective races since the early 1990s. Saturday's Belmont Stakes will be another sure thing for NBC. NBC's coverage for the two-plus minute race will go from 5:30- 7 p.m. (And you thought "American Idol" was padded.) Post time is scheduled for 6:38 p.m. Like the Kentucky Derby and the Preakness Stakes, Bob Costas and Tom Hammond will co-host the race for NBC. (It is not true that Costas was chosen for the assignment because he is the announcer closest in height to the jockeys.) The rest of the NBC team is expert commentator Charlsie Cantey, race-caller Tom Durkin, contributing analysts Mike Battaglia and Bob Neumeier, reporter Kenny Rice and on-track reporter Donna Barton Brothers. Tonight, at least two stations will be racing for viewers at 7 p.m. WCAU will air "Smarty Jones: Run for the Triple Crown" with Vai Sikahema and Tim Lake, live from the Belmont Stakes. Comcast SportsNet's entry is "The Belmont Plateau" with Neil Hartman, Dick Jerardi, and Dei Lynam. KYW 1060-AM will air the race live on the radio. Mike DeNardo will be filing live reports from the race all day. ESPN 920-AM also will carry the race. If they do a "Smarty Jones" television movie, I'd cast Kiefer Sutherland as John Servis, Rachel Dratch as Stewart Elliott, "Uncle Junior" from "The Sopranos" as Roy Chapman, and the horse from "Seabiscuit" as Smarty Jones. Stars come out The NBA Finals between Los Angeles and Detroit commence at 9 p.m. Sunday on ABC. Watch for plenty of celebrities at the games in Los Angeles. Al Michaels, Doc Rivers, and Michele Tafoya are the ABC team. Box office bust "Best Damn Sports Show" host Tom Arnold's film, "Soul Plane," was a flop at the box office last weekend. Unfortunately, this probably means he won't be quitting his day job with the Fox Sports Net show. Wanted: WPHL sportscaster WPHL needs to get a new sportscaster to save news anchor Toni Yates, who sometimes is pressed into scores and highlights duty. It's not fair to force Yates, who is WPHL's best talent, into something that she admits is not her strong suit. Laura Nachman covers television and radio sports for the Courier Times. She can be reached at lauranachman@aol.com. June 4, 2004 7:20 AM