On DVD or VHS: (picture above is of SHAM) - Another instant, "Lost Classic" coming to you!

 

Courage, bravery, flying finishes and daring rides - all the things that make-up racing are shown in this very rare and dramatic racing feature. When everything works properly no other combination of man and animal can approach the beauty of Thoroughbred racing. But the American sport has been criticized for injuries to horses far beyond those experienced in other countries - over-medication, too much racing, bad rider judgment and overuse of the whip have all been blamed. However, it has been shown that accidents and incidents - some tragic some funny have always been a part of the sport; with 110-lb. men riding half-ton horses, the element of surprise is always imminent.

See some of the more common mishaps that occur on the track: dumping riders, loose horses on the track and how some quick-witted jockeys have prevented major disasters. Highlights shown include: the notorious claim of foul in the fighting finish of jockeys DON MEADE riding BROKER'S TIP and HERB FISHER riding HEAD PLAY in the 1933 Derby in which both riders literally came to blows with each down the stretch other using their whips!

SWAP's 1956 loss to PORTERHOUSE in the Californian is shown; NATIVE DANCER as the two-year old sensation, his loss to DARK STAR in the 1953 Derby and his victory in the Preakness, also generous but rare footage of him at stud at his owner's (Alfred Vanderbilt) Sagamore Farm are shown. His influence on the world's bloodlines can be documented in gold as he went on to produce a series of champions and dams of champions; see his undefeated and champion two-year old son, RAISE A NATIVE, who also carried on the dynasty with equal brilliance with his own son, MAJESTIC PRINCE; the 1966 Derby of KAUAI KING and also of him romping through his paddock at stud at Sagamore Farm a fence apart from his sire, NATIVE DANCER.

Next shown is the great COUGAR II's disqualification in the 1971 Woodward to WEST COAST SCOUT costing him year-end Horse-of-the-Year title to ACK ACK; the rivalry between California's SHAM and LINDA'S CHIEF in the 1973 San Felipe and Santa Anita Derby; the rough-ride 1975 Derby victory of FOOLISH PLEASURE over AVATAR and DIABLO; the 1968 Derby that had to be settled in court between DANCER'S IMAGE and FORWARD PASS...the controversial 1980 Preakness battle of GENUINE RISK and CODEX...the courage of the smallish filly DARK MIRAGE in the 1969 Santa Maria Handicap who would never be out-gamed...AFFIRMED engaged in the most heated rivalry of his career with ALYDAR - their races of 1977 and 1978 defined Thoroughbred courage...TOMY LEE's classic victory over SWORD DANCER in the 1959 Derby; and the Blue Grass Stakes with original track race calls in their entirety from gate to wire UNCUT and UNEDITED of HONEST PLEASURE, ALYDAR, ALYSHEBA, SUMMER SQUALL and UNBRIDLED, STRIKE THE GOLD and FLY SO FREE and SPECTACULAR BID.

The Thoroughbred...its qualities have been held in awe and affection for centuries. Each time this partnership of man and horse combines, the thin line of victory and disaster is challenged, for we are dealing with a marvelous and complex creation; so gallant and perverse that he sometimes remains untamable even in victory. Get ready for the ride of your life with this one!

 

AS AN ADDED BONUS...An extremely rare, nearly-extinct mini segment is included at the very end of the original feature of the almost-forgotten but, nonetheless underrated great legendary super filly, the 710-lb. mighty-mite dynamo...DARK MIRAGE, the 1968 Triple Tiara Winner, showing clips of her victories in the 1968 Acorn, 1968 Mother Goose and 1968 Coaching Club American Oaks humbling her opposition in each race featuring SYRIAN SEA, GAY MATILDA and MOSS - vintage footage of one of racing's most dearly loved fallen heroines from a golden racing era can be yours!

 

 

55 Minutes.

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