42 SIDELINES APRIL 2014
FOR HORSE PEOPLE • ABOUT HORSE PEOPLE
Derby Tale Gallops Into Theaters
50 to 1 – Based on the True Story of Horse Racing
Legend Mine That Bird
By Jan Westmark
T
here’s nothing like a great horse movie to get the
equestrian world cheering. Especially when it’s
based on a real-life story. Add in some well-known
actors, an accomplished director, a talented horse
and the odds increase that the movie will be a success.
The major motion picture
50 to 1
is all about the odds.
In 2009, the odds weren’t good that a group of ragtag
cowboys could take their racehorse from New Mexico to
Kentucky in an old two-horse trailer and go down in racing
history … but they did. And when the odds are in your
favor, life can translate into a cinematic wonder that has
audiences on their feet screaming for the underdog. In
this case, the underdog was a 3-year-old Thoroughbred
named Mine That Bird who raced in the Kentucky Derby
in 2009 with 50-to-1 odds. Just like a script from a movie,
Mine That Bird came from a stunning 30 lengths behind
with jockey Calvin Borel to not only win – but also to
become a legend. Odds are now in Mine That Bird’s favor
that he will go down in history for a second time, as his life
becomes a feature film.
Sidelines
Magazine was delighted to have the
opportunity to talk with the film’s director and actors and
get a chance to go behind the scenes of the making of
the horse movie. While the director and actors might be
Hollywood legends and stars, when it came to talking
about the movie they were just like other horse people,
standing around the barn talking about their favorite
equines.
Mark Allen (Christian Kane), Leonard ‘Doc’ Blach (William
Devane), Producer/Director Jim Wilson and Joanne Blach (Tish
Rayburn-Miller) duiring filming at Churchill Downs.
All photos by Ten Furlongs
Jockey Calvin Borel aboard Mine That Bird (Sunday Rest).
Continued on page 44
