I want to like horse racing, I really do. There’s the romance of it all, the traditions. I live in a town with a racetrack that was once part of the mighty Maryland horse racing empire; I’ve lived here for 18 years and I’ve never been there. The sport has fallen off in appeal. In Maryland, they’re trying to get slots at the tracks.
Sad, indeed. But the Hennegan Brothers were determined to try to make horse racing cool again. Their film The First Saturday in May follows six trainers as they try to get into the Kentucky Derby, the premier racing event. They could have focused on the horses or on the owners, but the trainers are like the coaches of a sports team and come into contact with every part of the process.
It’s a great structure that allows the film to show some interesting characters. One of the trainers has been recently paralyzed from the waist down and now zips around the stables in his wheelchair. One guy used to train horses in Dubai for a Sheik. One of the trainers handles Barbaro, who ended up winning the 2006 Derby and then was tragically injured two weeks later in the Preakness Stakes, ending his racing career and eventually leading to his death.
But even knowing how the race is going to end doesn’t lessen the suspense. These trainers are amazing guys and it’s gripping to watch their struggle toward their goal. There are so many of these reality shows on cable, following some personal trainer or bounty hunter or magician. Put these guys on TV; they really are fascinating characters.
Tags: The First Saturday in May, Hennegan Brothers, Barbaro, horse racing, documentary, Silverdocs
One Response
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Baloo Says:
If you feel this way about racing, without ever being at Pimlico, I suggest you go. Go to Old Hilltop on Black Eyed Susan Day (The day before Preakness). You will fall in love with “The Sport of Kings”.