Happy Derby, everyone. If you’re into that sort of thing, of course. Christmas may be the most wonderful time of the year everywhere else in the world, but don’t tell that to Louisvillians. (Unless, of course, a given Louisvillian lives in Louisville amidst all the crazy and the hub-bub and doesn’t care much for horse racing.) The city is going crazy! Americans like to explode things to celebrate their most cherished point in history – the creation of our country – but Louisvillians also explode things just to start off a two-week-long party for a mere two-minute long sporting event. Weird.
In case the bourbon and the Juleps (some Louisvillians do like those drinks, you know) and the Pink Lilys (for those who don’t like bourbon [to which I say: what?!]) and all the free music doesn’t get you pumped up, or if you appreciate the Derby but are more of an indoor, stay-at-home-and-watch-a-movie kind of person, I’ve got news for you: today is the DVD release of 50 to 1, the story of Mine That Bird.
Mine That Bird raced in the Kentucky Derby in 2009, but nobody expected much to come of it – he held 50 to 1 odds (hence the title, see?) at winning the race. Yet, win he did, with the greatest upset in the event’s history since Donerail’s 91 to 1 odd win in 1913. The film is the story of the horse and of the people who brought him to the race. Christian Kane stars as horse owner Mark Allen, joined by Skeet Ulrich as trainer Chip Woolley. Jim Wilson directs.
Take a break from the festivities, go to your favorite video sales establishment (R.I.P. W&W…), pour some more bourbon, and celebrate the triumph of long odds – and see if you feel inspired to take some chances at the track this Saturday.
Image: Internet Movie Database
