The First Saturday in May » 2008

Posts from April 2008

Bloggers Recommend Film Again

Several bloggers attended the Thursday premier in New York City:

This is a wonderful movie, featuring quirky, interesting characters; formidable racehorses; and the drama of sports, which is the best reality show there is. OK, so we know how the race turned out…and if you’re a Barbaro fan, that’s good news. If you were rooting for Jazil…well, enjoy the replay of the Wood, and think about the horses running this weekend in the final major Derby preps. Catch them on your local horse-racing channel, pick someone to back (financially or otherwise), and tune in again on Derby Day, May 3rd. Horse racing needs all the fans it can get, and this movie superbly shows us why this terrific sport deserves much more attention than it currently garners.

From Railbird:

Don’t forget! “The First Saturday in May,” the feel-good documentary by the Hennegan Brothers that follows six 2006 Kentucky Derby prospects, including Barbaro and Lawyer Ron, from preps to post, opens in theaters across the country beginning April 18. Find a theater near you.

From Green but Game:

The sense of emotion is so palpable in the film whether it’s the trainers being nervous before a race, family members elaborating on the struggles of the trainers or the inevitable outcome of the fate of Barbaro… you could feel it all. Everyone was all in at every moment and if that’s not a draw I don’t know what is.

Posted on Apr 13 2008
Filed Under: News

NY Daily News says it keeps “viewers on the edge of their seats”!!!

Nicole Lyn Pesce of the New York Daily News promotes the film.

Besides keeping viewers on the edge of their seats, the Hennegans are donating 25% of all ticket sales to benefit the Grayson-Jockey Club Research Foundation for equine research.

Read the article.

Posted on Apr 13 2008
Filed Under: News

Sports Illustrated: See The Film

Tim Layden of Sports Illustrated recommends the film as a primer to this year’s Derby.

The Hennegans were relentless in capturing the passion — maybe even desperation — that accompanies the Derby chase every year. Almost everyone associated with a horse clawing his (or her) way to the Derby understands that if even if they have been there before, they might never be back again. It’s an added bonus that 2006 brought Barbaro, who was both one of the most talented horses of the last several decades, but also one whose story became one of the most poignant. See the movie. It will help you understand that the Derby is more than mint juleps, My Old Kentucky Home and a little too much pre-game on NBC (and everywhere else).

Read the Article.

Posted on Apr 11 2008
Filed Under: News

FABULOUS in All Caps

Aaron Miller of the Courier-Journal calls the film FABULOUS and adds this to the growing positive feedback:

It isn’t just a great movie because it’s about a race that’s near and dear to us here in Kentucky. It’s a seriously well-made documentary with high production values and a moving story. Very well made. You can tell a lot of time and a lot of experience went into this movie.

Read the review.

Posted on Apr 11 2008
Filed Under: News