Kentucky Derby Countdown:
23 Days Until May 3rd and the 134th Kentucky Derby
Horse Racing Film..."The First Saturday in May"
Brad and John Hennegan love horse racing so much they quit their jobs to make a movie about it. For a year, the Hennegan brothers followed six horse trainers from different backgrounds but all with the same goal -- a spot in the 2006 Kentucky Derby.
Now, after snagging awards at film festivals and sponsorship from Churchill Downs, their independent film, "The First Saturday in May" will soon be seen in movie theaters nationwide.
"Across the country, people know what the Kentucky Derby is but they really don't know how horses get there," Brad Hennegan said in a phone interview from Los Angeles. "So we wanted to make kind of 'Hoop Dreams' at the race track."
"The First Saturday in May" will have its Louisville premiere Sunday with a special screening at the Louisville Palace. Beginning April 18, it will run for two weeks at Stonybrook Cinema De Lux 20, 2745 S. Hurstbourne Parkway.
The brothers from Huntington, N.Y., practically grew up at the race track thanks to their father, who worked for the New York Racing Association.
Brad Hennegan, 36, spent the last decade working in television for companies such as College Sports Television and the Independent Film Channel. John Hennegan, 39, enjoyed successful careers in radio and television before he decided to delve into film development and production. "The First Saturday in May" is the first feature-length film for the brothers.
"We wanted to do our small part to help grow the sport of horse racing," Brad Hennegan said.
The film features a behind-the-scenes look at horses like Brother Derek, Lawyer Ron, Jazil and, of course, the late, great Barbaro. The documentary includes never-before-seen footage of the thoroughbred who captured Kentucky Derby 132, then captured the hearts of racing fans during his fatal battle with a broken leg.
Brad Hennegan stresses, however, that "The First Saturday in May," is a movie about people.
"It just happens to be set at the greatest race in the world -- the Kentucky Derby," he said. "If you're a horse racing fan and you wanted to tell a friend, 'This is why...
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