TRFF : Events

SYNOPSIS

FIRST SATURDAY IN MAY
USA, 2007, 96 Minutes,
Documentary

Director: John Hennegan, Brad Hennegan
Screenwriters: The Hennegan Brothers, Mark Krewatch
Producers: The Hennegan Brothers, Ellen Dux
Editors: The Hennegan Brothers, Tamara McDonagh
Associate Producers: Tamara McDonagh, Mark Krewatch, Brendan Ryan
Additional Editor: Tom Costain
Co-Producer: Karen Hennegan
Cast: Frank Amonte, Dan Hendricks, Bob Holthus, Michael Matz, Kiaran McLaughlin, Dale Romans

Heartbreak and hope abound in this engrossing documentary about the holy grail of horse racing-the Kentucky Derby. Two brothers travel from Arkansas to Dubai and on to Churchill Downs to trace the paths of six rising equine stars, including the heroic Barbaro, and the people, passion and dreams at the core of this breakneck competition.

Each year on the first Saturday in May, one horse will thunder down the track headed towards horseracing glory. Capturing the Kentucky Derby, the Holy Grail of horseracing and "the most exciting two minutes in sports," is every aficionado's dream. And a long shot, as only 20 of the 40,000 thoroughbreds born each year make it to the Derby. The trail is long and hard-not only must the horses run in stakes races in New York, Kentucky, Florida, Arkansas and California, they must also be in the top 20 earners of those races to get a place at the big race. Each potential Derby colt requires a perfect blend of pedigree, owner, trainer and rider, and a big dose of luck. The First Saturday in May follows six of these horses —Achilles of Troy, Sharp Humor, Jazil, Lawyer Ron, Brother Derek and the beloved Barbaro—as they make their push to join the 2006 Derby's coveted ranks. Directors Brad and John Hennegan (a.k.a. The Hennegan Brothers) capture the intermittent heartbreak and euphoria of this trek with a watchful and sympathetic eye. Behind the horses are colorful teams of people who love them and hope the best for them: the owners, trainers, grooms, jockeys and all the people whose hearts are broken and soar each time their horses run a race. And they are all characters, men and women who have devoted their lives to these four-legged beauties. Horseracing is a high stakes world. Who's going to win?