1
Hey, looks like
that cowboy's a goner.
Mark Allen.
Chip Woolley.
You from around here?
No. You?
Hey!
Hey, darling.
Listen, if you're not busy...
All right then.
What do you say we finish this
and get the hell out of here?
Yeah. That sounds good.
Ow!
Whoo!
Been a pleasure.
You can say that again.
All right.
Thanks, man. You saved my ass.
I owe you one.
Is that you?
That's me.
You ride the circuit?
Bulls. You?
Bareback. I'll see you back
at the grounds.
Nah. No more rodeo for me.
Pop's into oil up in Alaska.
Thinks we're going
to strike it rich.
Yeah, you're gonna freeze
your ass off up there.
Yeah, probably.
Uh-oh.
Take it easy, man.
Yeah, you too.
Hey! Don't go picking
no fights with them grizzlies!
Whoo!
Well, how'd he do?
He's kinda lazy.
Looks like he's falling asleep.
When is the race?
Sunday.
You know, maybe, uh...
Maybe try some
of those vitamins.
You got it, jefe.
Well, with two claims, a bowed tendon,
and our biggest owner walking away...
I'd say we in a world of hurt,
little brother.
We don't get more horses to train,
we gonna be out of business.
Well, we got four running
this week.
Should be favored
on a couple of 'em.
We're 0 for 28 this meet.
We got three seconds.
See... What don't you
understand, huh?
Owners don't wanna run second.
They want their picture taken.
That'd be
in the winner's circle.
Give me another one, Gus.
We ain't running
the tab tonight.
Man, you sure are getting
tight around here.
Huh?
Last one.
You're in my will.
Uh-huh.
So, Chip, you got
any long shots for us?
Oh, you're kidding.
That's all he's ever got.
Last time he won a race,
my wife was a virgin.
Oh.
That's funny,
'cause I heard she still was.
Oh.
I'm all in.
Oh ho!
Looks like we a bit short.
I'll give you the rest
next week, Miguel. Sorry, man.
Hey, there, boys.
Lookee here.
Huh?
Who says gambling don't pay?
Where'd that come from?
That... That right there
is evidence of some
serious card sharking.
Those boys down at Gus's,
they don't know what hit 'em.
I drew two flushes,
two on the river,
and I wiped them suckers out.
Well, we got a race tomorrow
and you can barely stand up.
God! Stop your bitching, Bill!
I won, didn't I?
Our losing streak
is over. You?
You just gotta have
a little faith.
And it's Faith Be
Gone by a length and a half.
Well, you just don't see
that every day, folks.
Down and Dirty fell to his knees
and still won by five lengths.
And it's another win
by You Gotta Be Kidding Me,
giving him three wins in a row.
Twist the Night Away got up for second,
Topanga Canyon rallied nicely for third.
Don't worry, honey. It's just a slump.
Everybody has them.
Hmm.
Things will turn around for you.
Yeah, I don't know, Rosa Lee.
It don't feel like it this time.
Hmm. You'll see.
It's been
a lackluster year so far,
but sales are beginning
to pick up.
Two more of the highest priced horses at
auction in Ruidoso were picked up today
by Mark Allen
and his Double Eagle Ranch.
This past Friday,
12 horses were sold...
I know that guy.
What guy?
Mark Allen.
Sounds like he's putting together
a nice string of horses.
I don't suppose you remember me.
Chip Woolley.
I'll be damned.
How could I forget you?
Oh.
I can't believe it.
Charlie, this here's an old
friend of mine, Chip Woolley.
This is Charlie Figueroa,
this is my right-hand man.
Nice to meet ya.
Yeah, likewise.
Well, this is crazy.
Mm-hmm.
How you been?
Good. Real good.
You know, I heard you's back
from Alaska.
Seems you done all right.
Well, there's a lot of oil
up there.
I'll tell you though,
I miss the ponies.
Yeah? Well, the talk
is you got quite a stable.
Yeah, I think we got
a few runners. We will see.
How about you?
What have you been up to?
Well, me and my brother,
we got us a place down by Sunland.
Yeah?
I've been training some.
Yeah? How's that going?
Not bad.
Win some, lose some.
I hear ya.
You know, you, uh...
You ever need another trainer
or, uh, someone
to watch your back...
Well... I might at that.
Listen, why don't you
stick around tonight?
We got us a little party
going on.
Yeah. Sounds good.
Yeah? Good. Come on.
Yeah, you tell it.
You tell it. I'll tell it.
But you tell it better than me.
So I'm with my crazy cousin here...
You're gonna tell it anyway.
...at his favorite bar
in Mexico, right?
He's been ordering four
shots of tequila at a time.
Now, he's drinking two,
throwing the rest on me.
We are liquored up
inside and out. Right?
Kelly's gotta take a leak,
so he gets up.
I gotta go too,
so I follow him into the can.
Bano.
The place is packed.
There's nowhere to go and I can't wait,
so I start pissing all over
the back of Kelly's jeans.
No, no, no, no, no.
Now, I'm thinking it's funny
as hell until he turns around.
It ain't Kelly.
Shit.
You got a couple of good shiners
that night. Yes, I did.
A couple of broken ribs, too.
Hey, you're lucky you ain't dead.
Hey.
Here's my lucky charm.
How you doing, Mark?
I missed seeing you these last
couple of weeks. Where you been?
I've been at the races.
You're always at the races.
Well, baby girl,
that's the horse business.
Yeah? Well, when do we get
to horse around?
Uh-oh.
Oh.
So, what are we
waiting for, boys?
Ah! I can't get anything
to drop!
You boys still thirsty?
Hell, yeah!
Yes, ma'am.
That's my girl, Sandy.
You're the best, babe.
Sandy?
Who the hell is Sandy?
I said who the hell is Sandy?
You don't remember my name,
do you?
What?
Do you?
Is it Claire?
Oh, God.
Hey, man. Stop!
Ow!
Hey, hey, hey, hey, hey!
Wait, stop! Wait!
It's Misty, right?
Oh, you son-of...
All right, it's Connie.
It's Sally and...
Hey!
Stop! Wait!
I'm kidding.
I... I know your...
Tammy?
Ah, Lord!
Ugh!
I got this.
Shit...
Yeah?
Hey, Mark, Keith Krupper here.
Sorry to call so late,
but a horse just crossed my desk.
This just couldn't wait.
Shoot.
He's a two-year-old thoroughbred,
won four in a row.
You know I race quarter horses.
I got no interest in thoroughbreds.
He's a stakes winner,
just voted the best two-year-old in Canada.
Name's Mine That Bird.
His daddy, Birdstone,
won the Belmont.
What's the catch?
He's all American,
bred in Kentucky.
He can't run the big races
in Canada as a three-year-old.
That's crazy.
But the kicker is he's eligible to
run the Juvenile Breeders' Cup.
A two million dollar race,
the whole world will be watching.
How much they want for him?
$500,000.
But I might be able
to get them to take four.
You need to see him, Mark.
Tell you what,
I'll send my trainer up to take a look.
But no promises.
Great.
I'll talk to you soon.
Tower, November 3-4...
Welcome, Mr. Woolley.
Please, make yourself at home.
Thank you.
Can I get you anything
to drink before we take off?
Mmm-hmm.
Bird's been real special
for me. He's real special.
Knew what he was supposed
to do from the word go.
I saw you picked him up
at auction for only $9500.
We stole him that night.
Thought he'd go for a lot more.
Never know where that next
jewel shows up.
Told you he won three stakes
in a row, eh?
Well, not many two-year-olds
put that on their resume.
Then why are you selling him?
Buy low, sell high.
That's what I do.
Uh...
He does this from time to time.
He usually doesn't go too far.
Easy, Bird.
Come on, you dope.
Easy.
That's it. Come on, Bird.
Kinda small, ain't he?
And a little crooked up front.
So was Seabiscuit.
Come on, buddy.
Come here, boy.
Sure got a mind of his own.
You seen him on the track yet?
I don't think it's worth it, Mark.
Well, you made the trip.
Yeah, but I just...
I don't think he's what you're after.
He walks funny, for one.
Hey, look, I had braces on my legs as a kid
'cause I walked funny, too.
Let's give him a try.
Okay.
That was a 46 flat.
What'd I tell ya?
What changed?
You don't even notice
he's crooked when he runs.
The little shit
barely touches the ground.
He's got perfect action,
real professional and
he's fast.
Yeah, but a gelding?
Oh, forget about
breeding. This one's a runner.
You sure he's sound?
There's not a pimple
on him, Mark.
Hey, you want this horse.
All right, sit tight.
I'm on my way to Doc's.
Come on, we always talked about
owning a thoroughbred together.
Breeders' Cup
is in California in 10 days.
If we wanna do this,
we gotta get moving.
Four hundred seems
like a lot of money.
Hell, if he just runs second,
we got our money back.
And if he don't run second,
we bought ourselves
a very expensive pony.
You know I don't like taking
leaps like this, sight unseen.
He's already won $300,000.
I don't know.
I'll tell you what then.
I'll buy him.
I'll buy him myself.
You like what you see, I'll cut you in.
Ah, shit. I'm in.
There he is, No. 9.
That's all of him, huh?
He's only two.
He'll grow some.
Well, he'd better hurry up 'cause
he's not looking too good at 24 to 1.
Don't you worry, Doc.
He's gonna do great.
If Chip says he can run,
he can run.
Baffert and the sheik
got the favorite, Midshipman.
Howdy.
I guess we're gonna find
out what we got pretty quick.
Last few left
to load, Street Hero goes in.
West Side Bernie
to come take the lineup.
Gate's closed, all set.
And away they go.
Midshipman, West Side Bernie
broke away well.
Street Hero came out
quickly as well.
Here's Mine That Bird
in the black colors
right there
in the fourth position.
Then we come back to Terrain. Gallant Son
has to go a little wide into the turn.
In behind there is Silent Valor
and Munnings races
towards the rear.
The pace is good,
12 lengths from first to last.
I mean, he's in there.
He's doing good.
Yeah.
Now they've settled in with
Mine That Bird a comfortable fifth,
just four lengths off
the leaders.
Then back
to Pioneer of the Nile.
Bushranger is on the far side.
Terrain giving them eight lengths
start and then comes Gallant Son.
Behind that Azul Leon,
and Munnings is still towards the rear.
Into the far turn they go.
And it's Midshipman still showing the way.
Come on.
Let's go! Let's go!
And Midshipman has
won the Breeders' Cup Juvenile!
Square Eddie with second,
Street Hero finished third.
Then came Terrain, behind
that Pioneer of the Nile,
and Mine That Bird
finished last.
I'm getting too old for this.
Where's the bar?
Whoo!
Come on!
Why'd you hire him?
Doc, he's only had the horse
a week.
We bought ourselves a champion and he
run dead last. What's that tell ya?
Bird's never run
on synthetic track before.
It ain't the track, Mark.
This guy's going nowhere.
He's got a terrible record.
Yeah, maybe.
But he's got a great record
with me.
This can't be personal.
We're running a business here.
I know that.
And we've got some
hard decisions to make.
I'm saying three strikes
and he's out.
That's a bit harsh, Doc.
So is losing.
It's Oconee and
Bryden, continuing to throw it down!
One furlong from home
and on the far outside,
Mine That Bird is charging hard.
Mine That Bird
has upset Minded...
Mine That Bird is charging hard!
Mine That Bird has upset
Minded in the final six...
He comes from off the pace.
Yeah.
He needs to chase somebody.
Mine That Bird is charging hard!
Mine That Bird has upset
Minded in the final sixteenth.
I'll be damned.
You're spoiling Bird, you know that?
Si.
Hey, hey, gimme that.
Hey.
Here he is right there.
Good luck to you, Case.
Thanks, Doc.
Listen up, he's a one run horse.
You need to keep him covered up till the
three-eighths pole, then let him roll.
I don't want him on the lead
till ya hit that wire.
Gotcha.
Here we go, boys.
Here we go.
You gotta look good
in the winner's circle.
Well, let's go.
They make their way
into the stretch and
Mine That Bird now digs in
along the rail
but Scorewithcater
puts his head in front,
down the middle of the track
rallying for the lead.
With only two furlongs to run... Come on,
Bird.
Smoking Legend in the white
silks makes his move,
but Mine That Bird fights back.
Scorewithcater responds as...
Come on!
...the three horses
lay it down.
Scorewithcater gets the upper
hand two lengths in front.
Mine That Bird now beginning to tire and
Scorewithcater is just too good today.
Scorewithcater, the winner,
Mine That Bird second,
Smoking Legend got up for third.
That's not how Bird
wants to run.
Casey made his move way too soon.
Bird didn't have nothing left.
He shoulda. Ain't like he was
running against much.
Yeah, well, at least
we got second.
That puts us in the
Sunland Derby next month.
$800,000 to run at.
Yup.
We'll be all right.
Yup.
We're bankrupt.
Bankrupt... Give me a break.
We got $2,000 from the race today.
$2,000?
Auggie's Ranch and Feed,
$2,300, past due.
Miller's Farrier Services,
$2,900, past due.
Rancho Veterinary Services,
$9,000
way past due.
Look, just tell 'em we got a few
more races coming up this month.
No, no, we don't.
Yeah, we got the starter on the fifth
and we'll win the maiden claimer easy.
Hutchinson took his last horse
away today.
So did Sanders and Parker.
Bird's all we got.
He's all we need.
You can't hang everything on one
horse, Chip. You know that!
We're fine!
Bird'll take
the Sunland Derby, you watch.
He'll run 'em off their feet.
With three-eighths of a
mile to go on the Sunland Derby,
it's Kelly Leak on the outside,
Mine That Bird on the inside
going nose and nose.
And here comes Scorewithcater,
who moves into third
as Mythical Power, the gray,
moves up on the far outside.
But Kelly Leak with a sudden burst
of speed, opens up by two lengths.
Mine That Bird
is turning along the rail
as Scorewithcater and
Mythical Power gain ground.
But it's Kelly Leak
who's gonna win
the Sunland Derby
by two and a half lengths.
Mythical Power getting up
for second,
Scorewithcater hangs on
for the show
and Mine That Bird
fades to fourth.
Fourth?
Good job.
Great day, huh? Great day.
Hey, Casey!
You call that a ride?
You rushed him up there
way too early again.
Look, I told you
he's got one run in him.
You cost me another big race.
You're off the horse!
Fine! You need an excuse,
I got your excuse.
It ain't the horse, it's you!
You can't train worth shit.
Never could.
I don't know why anybody'd give you
a horse to train in the first place.
You piece of shit.
Mr. Woolley.
Yes, sir.
Your brother came through
surgery just fine.
But the breaks in his leg
are very serious.
There's a plate and 12 screws
holding the bones together.
So he's got to stay off that
leg or it won't heal properly.
He'll be in recovery another half an hour.
You can visit with him then.
Thank you, sir.
Chip's gonna have a fit,
if anyone else trains Bird.
That's all he's got.
We'll move him to my place.
I got plenty of folks
that'll help him out.
Sorry, this one didn't go
through either.
Maybe try to put half
on this card
and half on that one.
Shh.
You tell anyone I was here
and I'm a dead man.
Yeah, had me a little accident.
Thought for a minute
I might not see you again.
I know...
I know things ain't exactly
worked out so far, Bird, but...
Yeah, that ain't your fault.
It's mine.
You know, here I am
expecting you to make it
all happen, and well,
we're supposed to be a team.
I know I ain't been there
for ya.
Heck, I ain't been there
for nobody.
I'm sorry I let you down, Bird.
And, uh...
I'm sorry it took
this to wake me up.
You deserve better, so...
So let's make a deal.
I promise I'll give you
everything I got.
And you, you don't hold back.
We'll do it together
from now on.
Yeah, I know.
Deal?
All right. Okay, then.
Deal.
Hmm.
Hey, look.
Alex!
Come here a sec!
Somebody I want you to meet.
Hey.
Hey, you made it.
Yeah.
No, not a girl, Mark.
Hey.
Chip, this here's Alex.
Best rider I got.
She's gonna help you out
with Bird.
What?
Well, must of been a hell
of a ride for ya, huh?
Let's get you up to the house,
get you settled in.
Alex, put Bird in the stall
for me?
Sure.
I tell ya,
that Alex sure is something.
You're gonna love her.
He can barely walk.
How in heck's he gonna train
a racehorse?
I got it all figured out.
Alex is gonna help him.
Alex! Come on, Mark, I know you like
her and all, but let's face it.
We need a trainer here.
Doc, you gotta give him a chance.
We already did
and he shot two of 'em.
Bird had two bad rides.
He still almost won.
Lone Star Derby's coming up quick.
Bird's never looked better.
- Yeah?
- Is Mark Allen there, please?
Speaking.
Hello, Mr. Allen, this is Ben Huffman,
racing secretary
at Churchill Downs.
I'm calling to tell you
that Mine That Bird has qualified
to run in the Kentucky Derby.
That's very funny, Earl. I'm in a meeting
with Doc right now. I'll call you back.
No, Mr. Allen...
I... I...
Okay.
Look, I...
Earl, I ain't fooling with ya, all right?
I'm busy right now.
Mr. Allen,
this really is Ben Huffman,
and your horse really did
qualify for the Derby.
I'm sorry, what?
Your horse really did qualify
for the Derby.
How'd that happen?
Well, based on his stakes
earnings last year in Canada.
The Kentucky Derby?
That's right.
One for the doctor.
Hmm.
One for the missus.
Thank you.
One for the brains
in the family.
And one for the cowboy
who's gotta be nuts.
He's been nuts a long time.
Hey.
Three more, bartender.
Hey, Doc, how are you?
Hello, Kel.
Joanne. Hello.
Hi, Daddy.
Good to see you, honey.
Hi, Kevin. Good to see you.
Hi, Kelly. How you doing, buddy?
Hey, Mom.
You guys look so pretty.
Ladies.
Thank you.
Thank you.
Cousin. You get it?
Thank you, cousin.
All right.
Daddy, a toast.
To your little horse
and a big run!
Yeah.
Well, honey, we ain't exactly
decided we're going yet.
How often do you get invited
to run in the Kentucky Derby!
I know it's exciting,
but we don't belong there.
We can't even win in New Mexico.
It's a horse race, Dad.
Anything can happen.
I just don't want
to embarrass ourselves.
Oh, Leonard,
so what if you don't win.
It'll be a lot of fun
no matter what happens.
We'll get us those big old
hats and fancy dresses. Yes!
Think of the mint juleps.
We don't even have a jockey.
We'll get a new one
when we get there.
Come on, Doc.
May God and Don Julio help us.
Kentucky, here we come!
Oh, honey, it's gonna
be wonderful!
You're breaking my heart,
you know that?
Listen, this ain't easy,
man, but
me and Doc had a talk.
We're gonna change things up.
You ain't going
to the Lone Star Derby.
I mean, not now.
Just give me one more shot.
Decision's made.
But Bird'll do good there.
I mean, he's really coming along.
We could turn this around.
I... I don't know.
You think you finally got
this horse figured out?
Yeah, I do.
Yeah, and how far you think
you can drive on that leg?
Far as you wanna go.
How about Louisville?
Louisville?
Mine That Bird's
running in the Kentucky Derby.
You're kidding me, right?
We entered him this morning.
In the Kentucky Derby?
You got one last shot.
Son of a bitch.
Hey, man! I just bought this.
All right.
Time to tighten up
the screws, buddy.
Holy shit.
Bird, you have it all, buddy.
Take Bird out slow
and gallop him once around.
Good morning to you, too.
You're fighting him.
Ya gotta loosen up, get him to relax.
I wasn't fighting him.
Take him around again and
give him a little more rein.
He's not gonna run off with ya.
I know what I'm doing.
If you knew what you were doing,
I wouldn't have to be out here
telling you, would I?
Thank you.
When are you letting us
out of this hole?
When I'm good and ready.
Like sometime today?
What, you got a date?
You are such a pain in my...
Oh!
What was that all about?
What?
"What?" You went 58 and change.
It's a workout, not a race.
He did it easy.
It ain't gonna help us if he's
all used up before the Derby.
Used up?
What are you talking about?
I'm talking about working him right.
You don't listen!
The hell I don't.
You don't.
I need a rider
who can take instructions.
You know, I have just about
had it with your shit.
You have been riding my ass
ever since you got here!
You know, that's another thing.
Keep your ass down!
Keep my ass out of this!
Well, it's a little hard to do
when it blocks the sun.
Fine. Let's see you
ride him, cowboy!
Hey, hey. Ah.
Hey, listen up, y'all.
Change of plans.
Alex, you're riding with Chip.
What?
What?
Yeah. There's no way you're
going it alone on that leg.
You can't handle Bird by yourself.
Sure I can.
Listen, me and Kelly
will be right behind ya.
Stick with you the whole way.
Like flies to shit.
Charlie, we'll see you
in a couple of days.
I'll have Bird's stall
ready for you
when you get there.
All right.
Kelly!
Yup.
Man, I love road trips!
Do you mind?
Ahhh!
Get off of me!
Y'all ready?
Ah!
There.
Ugh!
Let's head 'em up, move 'em out.
And
in your eyes when we're together
That look says more than
words could ever say
You know I hate to tell you
that I'm leaving
Yeah, like flies to shit.
Don't breathe it in.
Are you kidding me?
Hmm.
Thank you.
You're welcome.
Hey, Bird.
Damn it! I left a bag in Mark's rig.
My lunch was in there.
Aw, I guess you're gonna have to eat
real food like the rest of the world.
You call that real food?
It's gonna take two days.
Well, we ain't got two days.
I gotta get the part.
That's gonna take a day.
Then another one to put it in.
That's the best I can do.
Well?
Make sure you tell 'em we'll be back
for Bird first thing in the morning.
Find out what time
the track opens.
I will.
Make sure that stall has enough
bedding and that it's dry, too.
Okay, okay, okay, okay.
Oh, make sure he gets
his vitamins.
And put his leg wraps on,
all four of 'em.
I got it already! Would you just
relax and let me handle this?
Geez.
Hey!
Whatever you do,
do not forget to use that stall lock.
Boom!
Don't worry, man.
We're only a day behind ya.
Me and Kelly are gonna take the bikes.
You and Alex keep going.
We'll catch you in Louisville.
How's Bird?
Oh, good.
He's traveling good.
We got him settled in
at the center.
We'll be back on the road
early in the morning.
- And Alex?
- She's still alive.
Hey, where are you?
I'm in Brownfield.
Sounds like a party.
Yeah, well, you know
these little local fillies.
They sure do know
how to be hospitable.
Listen, I gotta go.
We'll holler at you
when we get into town.
Have a great trip.
Oh, yeah, you bet...
See you in a couple days.
You don't expect me to stay
in this hell hole, do you?
What's the matter with it?
What's it gonna be?
By the hour or overnight?
Hmm?
Oh!
Oh, finally.
I see you have the luxury suite.
What do you want?
I don't suppose you have some
toothpaste I could smear on my teeth.
Hmm.
Y'all have a nice night.
Wow, you look great.
Thank you.
Here.
I got you breakfast.
What in the hell is this?
Yogurt. I'm sure you've never
had it before, but
you're gonna love it.
Hey, thanks for the help.
It says here we're less than
50 miles out of Texarkana.
Shouldn't we have turned
north by now?
Jesus, do I have
to do everything?
Let me see that.
Where exactly...
Damn it!
Ow!
What the hell's the matter with you, huh?
You almost got us killed!
I nearly got us killed?
You're the one who can't freaking drive!
Well, if you could read a map,
none of this would have happened!
You nearly drive us into the grill of
an oncoming truck and it's my fault?
Look at that shit!
Oh, I suppose
that's my fault too!
Well, it sure as hell
ain't mine!
I got Bird, you get the spare.
Ow!
Oh!
Jesus, Chip!
And don't get lost.
You ain't from around here,
are you?
I know you ain't
from around here.
I know everyone
from around here.
Come on, let's go dance one,
huh? What do you say?
It's my new favorite song.
Bartender came on over
with a shot of his best
Sure. Let's dance one.
Well, all right.
She came waltzing round the corner
"Anybody sittin' here?"
Started takin'
off her glasses and lettin' down her hair
I said, "Thank you
for the drink, ma'am"
You sure know how to move.
She said, "There's certain
things a woman can tell about a man"
Whoo! Yeah!
Do you like the hard kick
of old Kentucky Bourbon
Or the slow burn
of Tennessee Rye
Just when I thought I lost
her in petty conversation
She said,
"Slide over and kiss me"
You smell good. Good.
"I got more than whiskey
in mind"
Hmm, hmm, hmm.
Come here.
Oh.
Stop it.
Come here.
You know you want it.
You love this.
I said stop it!
Let her go.
What's wrong, girl?
You know you want it.
I said let her go.
You ain't from around here,
are you?
So why don't you...
Come on!
I got more than whiskey
in mind
I'm really sorry.
Did you get some sleep?
Yeah. You?
Yeah.
We'd better get going.
Bird's waiting.
Whoo!
How'd you get into racing?
My dad.
He always found a racetrack
wherever we were stationed
so he could play the ponies.
I remember the first time
I saw racehorses run.
It's like they had wings.
I'd stand at the rail,
try to imagine what it
felt like to fly like that.
It nearly killed me
when we had to move again.
But I swore
I'd come back someday.
I finally did it
a few months ago.
That's when I met Mark.
He heard I needed a job and he hired me.
I love being around horses.
Especially when I get to ride.
For me there's nothing like it.
Yeah, they get in your blood.
That's for sure.
What are his chances?
Not too good.
Then why are you doing this?
I have run a lot of horses
for a lot of people and
we didn't always come out ahead,
but we paid the bills.
It seemed good enough.
And then Bird come along.
Boy, he made a dreamer out of me.
Out of all of us.
We got a chance to be a part
of something truly great.
To be the best there is.
Maybe we'll look stupid to some,
but life ain't worth much
if all you do is play it safe.
It's about being out there,
taking chances.
Well,
at least we'll know we tried.
We gave it everything we got.
You ready to go, Bird?
I think that's a yes.
You must be the guys
from New Mexico.
Wondered when you were gonna get here.
Yeah, so did we.
Well, not many folks drive their
Derby horses cross country.
Mind if I have a look?
Be my guest.
Not much to him, huh?
Looks can be deceiving.
You got that right.
Well, good luck to you
and welcome to Churchill Downs.
Thank you.
That's Join in the Dance.
He'll have a lot of speed.
Big time basketball player
owns him.
That's Baffert and his wife
with Pioneer of the Nile.
Won four graded stakes in a row.
Been working real good.
Who's that?
That there's Jeff Mullins. He trains I
Want Revenge, the favorite right now.
Joe Talamo's riding him
in his first Derby.
A billionaire from England
owns that one.
Dunkirk.
They paid almost
$4 million for him.
Some sheik's horse is next to us.
Regal Ransom.
And here we are.
This is your new home, Bird.
Good boy.
Hey, who took my razor?
Hey, Jerry, what's up?
Good news, Calvin.
What's that?
You're gonna ride Beethoven
in the Kentucky Derby.
Serious?
Yeah.
Thank you very much. Good job.
Hey, guys, I got my Derby horse!
Hey, congratulations.
Thank you, John.
Appreciate it very much, man.
I appreciate it, Fabio.
Thank you, my man,
appreciate it very much.
Thank you for that, buddy.
Well done, Calvin.
Oh, Pam!
It'll go with the dress
you found.
Oh, gosh, that's cute.
That is really good.
It's cute, right, Daddy?
It's cute.
That's so cute.
Okay.
Mom, look.
Oh.
Oh.
This is exactly what we need.
Mom.
These will do.
We'll paint 'em,
we'll glue on some feathers and flowers.
We'll add a little ribbon.
Yeah.
Yeah?
Mmm-hmm.
Perfect!
Holding my own Cup of comfort
And slice of home
A cup of comfort
And a slice of home
Cup of comfort
And a slice of home
Who is it?
It's your mother!
Ah!
Here, that's for you.
That's Secretariat.
Wow.
Yeah.
It's about time y'all got here.
Well, we had a little more fun
than we thought we would.
Yeah, I can see that.
How'd Bird make the trip? Good.
Yeah, he looks real good.
It's better than we can say
for you.
Yeah, well, that was a bit
of an adventure.
So, what's up tomorrow?
Oh.
Bird's working an easy half-mile.
Nothing too much.
Good.
Good. Put your boot on.
We're going out.
Come on, baby turn them
Tell me what you got, got,
got, got
Show me what you got, got,
got, got
I'm gonna give you
what you want
What you want
What you need
I'm gonna give you
what you want
What you want
What you need
Whoo!
Bird looks good.
Both of 'em.
Morning.
Who the hell is that?
I Want Revenge.
Hello?
You know that Derby
mount I got you, Beethoven?
Yeah.
Well, he's got a bad tendon.
He's out.
Hey, Jerry, what you got?
Hey, Calvin.
There Goes JoJo pulled up lame
after the Blue Grass.
It's just a bit of bad luck, but don't
worry. We'll find you another horse.
Jerry.
Oh!
Calvin?
Hey, Jerry.
What can I say, Calvin.
Flat Out's out.
Ow!
Calvin, I'm afraid they went
with another jock on Musket Man
but there's a filly
that might qualify.
They'll need a rider.
Calvin, you there?
Well, I still like Chantal.
She won three times on Bird,
knows the horse better
than anybody.
I think we need a jockey
with Derby experience.
Someone who knows
how to get through traffic.
Espinoza won on War Emblem.
Borel won on Street Sense.
I'd take either one of them.
I guess it's up to me.
Calvin Borel.
Why?
'Cause he's got a winning smile.
Oh, Lord, Jerry!
Not no more bad news, man.
Easy, Calvin. Easy.
You're gonna give me a heart attack.
Hi, guys.
The cowboys called
and they don't have a rider.
Catch is they'll be the
longest shot on the board.
They're pretty much a joke
around here.
Ah, everybody likes to laugh
at cowboys except cowboys.
So what do you think?
I think we outta time.
Let me talk to them
and I'll let you know.
Okay.
Chip Woolley?
Yeah.
I heard you need a rider.
I hear you need a horse.
Well, it's nice
to meet you, Calvin.
That him?
Yeah.
Well, he's got a big stride.
And an even bigger heart.
Well, he finished up nice.
No, he's bred to run all day.
You ready to take
on these blue bloods?
I'm ready if you are.
You can't win it if you ain't in it.
You got yourself a jock.
Hey, bud.
Shit!
Hey, you seen my horse?
Charlie! Alex!
You okay?
Yeah.
You two should have met by now.
Hi!
Good morning and welcome to Churchill
Downs and the post position draw
for the 135th running
of the Kentucky Derby.
Now, you will each have one minute
to make your post selection
once your horse's name is drawn.
Good luck, everybody.
And now our first choice goes to
Join in the Dance.
Oh. Great.
You're on the clock, gentlemen.
Number 9, post position Number
9 for Join in the Dance.
Next up we have
Regal Ransom. Regal Ransom.
Number 10, post Number 10
for Regal Ransom.
It'll be good for Bird.
And our next horse
is Pioneer of the Nile.
Let's do it, huh?
Number 16, post position Number
16 for Pioneer of the Nile.
And the next horse
in the selection is
Mine That Bird.
Hey, hey, hey, hey! All right!
Whoa, whoa!
Watch out, watch out.
You all right? It's the leg.
Let me get my hat.
Watch the leg.
You got it?
Yeah.
Son.
Gentlemen, you have 30 seconds
to make your selection
or you'll have to go
to the back of the draw.
Number 8,
post position Number 8 for Mine That Bird.
Good job, partner.
Eight.
What a bunch of yahoos.
And our next horse
in the selection belongs to...
They don't like us
in the form too much.
Yeah, well, what'd ya expect?
We're 50-to-1.
Says here we're winless
in America
and have the lowest
speed rate by far.
They ain't wrong.
Says here that...
Doc.
Put it away.
Okay. Yup.
We're doing good.
All right. We got post position 8,
that's Joanne's lucky number.
Calvin's riding for us.
You're right.
We done all we could.
Hey. Ben Huffman was looking
for you.
You get your racing licenses?
You can't run Bird tomorrow without 'em.
Man, I... Doc, you got yours?
You?
I don't even have
a driver's license.
I hate to tell you this,
but the racing office is closed.
Shit!
Let's go, Doc. We gotta...
You guys are gonna
give New Mexico a bad name!
Ugh!
I can't believe it!
We come this far,
forget to get our dang licenses!
Where you going now?
Somebody's gotta still be here.
Hey!
Doc, come here.
Come up here.
Give me a boost.
What happened to throwing
pebbles against the glass?
Come on!
Stand...
Christ, stand still!
I'm standing.
A little higher.
Up.
I think somebody's in there.
All right. Okay.
You gotta get me up higher.
Dang it, Doc, hold still!
Hey!
Oh!
You know, gentlemen,
it doesn't have to be this difficult.
Shall I get the door for you?
Yeah!
That'd be great.
Wow.
You sure clean up good.
Thanks.
With any luck
I won't fall in these shoes.
Howdy.
I'm sorry,
but this is a private party.
Ain't this for the Derby?
It's a private party, sir.
We're the owners
of Mine That Bird.
Who?
Mine That Bird.
He's running in the Derby.
Good evening, Mr. Baffert,
Mrs. Baffert.
Good evening.
It's so good to see you again.
Have a good night.
Thank you.
Go right in.
Looks like you cowboys shoulda
left your hats at home.
Your names, please?
Doctor Leonard Blach and family.
Mark Allen...
I found you.
Party of nine?
Exactly.
Welcome to the Derby Ball.
Thank you.
Doc.
Joanne.
Oh, look! They even got our names set out.
That's nice.
Enjoy your evening.
Thank you.
I guess I ain't supposed
to be here.
Wait a minute.
Probably just a little mistake.
We'll get it fixed up.
Excuse me!
It's okay. I'll just see you
back at the hotel.
No, no, no.
You're staying for dinner.
Here.
Hey. Whoa, whoa, whoa.
Hey, I wouldn't do that if I were
you, buddy. He kinda likes jail.
That's you.
Thank you.
Hey, Bob, what do you think about
Calvin Borel riding for the cowboys?
You mean Calvin Bo-rail?
Nah, I'm not worried about Boo.
Frankly, I wouldn't be worried
if they had God riding for them.
Everybody knows that horse
doesn't belong here.
Ouch.
Now, I'm sure they'll start out shouting,
"Go, Boo."
By the end of the race,
I assure you
they'll be crying,
"Boo-hoo-hoo."
If I could have everyone's
attention for a moment.
As we have only hours before
the greatest race in the world,
I want to wish you all
the best of luck.
Tomorrow a new stallion will
be stamped King of Kentucky.
Being an owner myself, I want to toast
not only the thoroughbreds we breed,
but also the thoroughbreds
we are.
I'm gonna head out,
get some sleep.
You bet.
See you in the morning,
bright and early.
The Kentucky Derby has been run every
year since its inception in 1875,
making it the longest consecutively
run horse race in history.
Now, several thousand people
attended that first year.
But this year,
this year we anticipate
a crowd of more than 150,000!
We have owners from all over
the world here tonight.
Ireland, Dubai, France, England.
Oh...
Even New Mexico!
Good evening, Mr. Woolley.
Evenin'.
Charlie's on a coffee run and
Bird's been asking for you.
Need anything?
Nah, I'm good. Thank you.
Hey. How you doing, buddy?
I want to thank you
for taking us to the biggest
dance in the world, Bird.
I never thought in a million
years I'd ever be here.
Don't you worry about tomorrow.
You just run your race.
And you show 'em how big
a heart you got. All right?
Ah!
What the hell?
Wake up, sunshine.
It's showtime.
Yup, Rachael Rice designed it.
I don't wear suits anymore.
I don't know if you can see me
under here.
Gotcha. I'll tell him.
Hey, guys.
There's been a scratch
in the Derby.
I Want Revenge is out.
Sorry about that, buddy.
You'll get them next year, all right?
Don't worry about it.
Looks good. Sam, could you put your
hand on your hips like Joe's doing?
...as is Godolphin Racing all the
way from Dubai with two horses.
Regal Ransom, Desert Party,
Sheik Mohammed Al Maktoum's
trainer Saeed Bin Suroor.
Saeed, you guys have won just about
everything there is to win in racing
except the Derby.
What do you make of your chances today?
Both horses had a good flight
over and are training well.
We wouldn't have come this far
if we did not expect to win.
Best of luck, gentlemen.
Trainer Chip Woolley, you shattered
your leg less than five weeks ago,
and here you are making this long walk
over with your gelding, Mine That Bird.
Everyone in racing wants to
make this walk even on one leg.
Feeling here's unlike
none other.
Here? You realize
this is the Kentucky Derby
and you guys are looking
like you're ready
for the shoot out
at the O.K. Corral.
Yeah, we're ready for anything.
Go get 'em, Chip.
There's Hall of Fame trainer Bob Baffert.
Three time Derby winning trainer Bob Baffert.
We know how excited you've
been all week about your colt,
Pioneer of the Nile,
in this Derby. Why?
Well, I haven't had a legitimate
Derby horse in years.
This guy's already won over a million
dollars, he's training beautifully.
Bob, competition-wise,
who do you fear the most?
Well, I'm worried about all
of them.
Well, maybe not the cowboys.
Best of luck, Bob.
We made them ourselves.
Hey, how you all doing?
All right?
Hi. Good luck.
It's all right? Good, good.
Hey, man,
we're happy to have you.
Thank you.
I appreciate it very much.
Thank you so much.
How you all doing? Good to meet you.
Thank you. Good luck.
Thank you,
I appreciate it very much.
I'll try to get
the job done, okay?
All right.
Ah! How you doing, sir?
Things all right? Good, Calvin.
You all right?
Hey.
Chip. How's everything?
Good.
There's plenty of speed in here.
So don't worry if we're a little ways back.
Just get a clean break
and keep him covered up.
Once he sees daylight,
he's gone.
You got it.
All right, guys,
let's get lucky.
Hell. There he goes.
Hey, y'all listen up.
I want to thank y'all
for all ya done.
Bird couldn't have had
a better team.
No matter what happens out there
I'm just glad
we're here together.
This is the best day of my life
and I won't forget it.
We done all we can,
so what do you say we go
have us a great time, huh?
Get in there.
Come on! Come on!
The sun shines bright
on my old Kentucky home
'Tis summer,
the people are gay
By and by, hard times comes
A-knocking at the door
Then my old Kentucky home
good night
For the Old Kentucky
Home far away
We're just moments away from the
135th running of the Kentucky Derby.
Friesan Fire,
the favorite at 7-to-2.
Dunkirk, second choice
at 5-to-1
and Bob Baffert's Pioneer of the Nile,
third choice at 6-to-1.
Now, some of the biggest
long shots on the tote board.
Atomic Rain, Join in the Dance
and at 50-to-1,
Mine That Bird.
Hey, Bill.
I bet you Bird don't finish
in the top ten.
How much you got?
Twenty bucks.
I'll take that bet.
Anyone else think he won't
finish in the top ten?
Huh?
Put your money right here!
I'm in.
I'll take it.
There you go. All right.
That's it. Yeah.
Double down on that.
Double down.
Yeah, ladies. Thank you.
Yeah. Look at that.
Hey, uh, Alex?
Yeah?
I was... I was wondering.
Wondering what, Chip?
They're about to go.
No, I know.
I was wondering if...
If maybe you might consider
riding for me sometime.
Like in a race?
I could use a good jockey.
Oh, my God.
Oh, my God.
Thank you.
Thank you so much.
Okay, okay.
All right, number 12.
He's an easy loader, guys.
Come on, boys.
Now, 14's up, let's bring him in.
Please, God,
just don't let him be last.
How many now, Bob? Two out?
Two left.
Come on, Bird. Come on.
They're in the gate.
And they're off
in the Kentucky Derby!
And it's Join in the Dance
racing for the lead.
Musket Man has some
early speed on the inside.
Here's Regal Ransom
with some speed as well.
Hey! We got mugged.
What the hell was that?
Did you see that?
Beneath the Twin Spires for
the first time Regal Ransom
and Join in the Dance
will vie for the early lead.
Pioneer of the Nile
is right up there.
He got run over.
And that's Papa Clem down toward
the inside. He's now fourth.
Desert Party forwardly placed,
fifth on the outside.
One mile remaining here in
the Run for the Roses,
and the two long shot
leaders remain.
Flying Private is sixth, Friesan Fire
in and among horses is now seventh.
Musket Man is eighth,
Dunkirk is ninth on the outside.
He's last.
Then farther back down
on the rail, that is Atomic Rain
running in the eleventh
position, two lengths back.
And General Quarters
is now twelfth.
Nowhere to Hide is thirteenth
on the outside.
And 1 lengths behind the rest
of the field is Mine That Bird.
West Side Bernie is now
down toward the rail.
And then on the outside
at the back of the pack
beginning to move up now
is Hold Me Back.
Advice is also back there
toward the back of the pack
along with Chocolate Candy,
Summer Bird, Advice,
and the last of them
all is Mr. Hot Stuff.
So, down the backstretch run,
well behind the rest of them,
is Mine That Bird.
Looks like we're going
the wrong way.
So down the backstretch run,
and Join in the Dance,
an impudent
long-shot leader here,
taking the field through
an opening half-mile
that was strong,
47 and one-fifth seconds.
He's 30 lengths back.
Maybe it's the mud.
On the outside,
Pioneerof the Nile.
Now, Garrett Gomez asking him for
a bit more. He's right there.
Yes! Yes! Yeah, baby!
Whoo!
Papa Clem threads his
way through horses, from sixth.
Now Musket Man is now seventh.
Chocolate Candy is beginning to come
alive now and he's eighth on the outside.
All right, little Bird man,
let's go.
Look at this. We might
actually beat someone.
Behind the far turn,
Join in the Dance a narrow lead.
Regal Ransom is pressing hard and
there goes Pioneer of the Nile.
Pioneer of the Nile is
making his advance in the...
Eighth or ninth
would be all right.
Mine That Bird! Hey!
Mine That Bird,
he's coming up the rail!
Where'd he go? I lost him.
He can't get through.
Then down toward the rail,
it's Advice, as the field turns for home.
Top of the stretch, it's still Join
in the Dance with a tenuous lead.
Regal Ransom and Pioneer of
the Nile strike the front,
just outside the eighth pole.
Fourth. Fourth would be good.
Mine That Bird! Hey!
He's in the lead!
He's in the lead! What? Where?
Coming on through,
that is Mine That Bird now
who's coming on to take the lead
as they come down to the finish!
Whoo!
Calvin Borel in the saddle,
saluting the crowd!
Let him roll, Calvin!
Let him roll! Let him roll!
No!
...a hundred
and twenty thousand.
Long, impossible long shot!
Mine That Bird going to win
the Kentucky Derby
in a spectacular,
spectacular upset.
Mine That Bird has won the Kentucky Derby.
An impossible result here!
Yeah! Whoo!
God! Praise God! Oh, my gosh!
We just won this son-of-a-bitch!
Oh, my gosh!
Let's go, let's go.
Oh! Oh.
How do we get down there?
I don't know.
How do we get
to the winner's circle?
I think it's down here.
You just said I love you
to whom?
My momma and daddy.
Who are no longer with us.
- I wish they were here.
- Oh, Lord.
If they'd only be here to see
what I accomplished in my life.
Hey, let's go, let's go!
Bob, can you share your thoughts
about what you saw out there today?
Well, Calvin is amazing.
He's always been a great rider
and he did it again.
He took to the rail,
found a hole and squeezed through it.
I guess that's why
they call him Calvin Bo-Rail.
The cowboys win today.
50-to-1!
I found them,
found my tickets. I got 'em!
You did it, cuz.
Whoo!
You are the man!
You did it, man. You did it.
What a ride, huh?
You're the best!
Thank you very much. I appreciate it.
You're the best. Come on.
Thank you!
Whoo! Whoo!
Yeah!
Huh?
I just want you to know how
grateful I am for all you've done.
And I'm proud to be standing here
in the winner's circle with you.
Thanks for having me.
Oh, man.
Who would have thought, huh?
I knew you had my back.
You always did.
Always will.
We're in the history books now.
Okay, everybody, over here!
Look over here, guys.
All right, great.
Thank you, Bird.
Now, it's a story that even
Hollywood wouldn't believe,
but obviously you had
a pretty good idea.
Yeah, it's wonderful. I haven't...
I just can't say enough, you know.
A feeling like I've never
had before.
We have to give a lot
of credit to Borel.
He really pulled us through
on that race.
I'm beyond happy. I ain't even
got no feelings in me right now.
I'm numb.
Do you really think you know
Exactly where I stand?
Or did I just let you down
When you found
I was just a poor man?
I might of took
a few wrong turns
Down a few wrong roads
Wound up
in a few wrong towns
Where nobody cares or goes
It ain't that I can't see
Or find my way home
It's just that I like
to breathe
Out on country roads
I've never been much
on downtown
Or cared for a place to stay
I know I'll never wear
no crown
I'll never be a king
of slaves
Wash my hands in the rain
I've spent my time
with the whiskey
I'll never give up on change
Or give a damn
if you will ever miss me
'Cause it ain't
that I can't see
Or find my way home
It's just that I like
to breathe
On country roads
I know I'll never
stick around
I'll never lose track
of time
Or worry about a little
old town
Or what I might've
left behind
I'll just let the sun
shine down
I'll just let them
big wheels roll
Keep on running around
Them big old country roads
'Cause it ain't
that I can't see
Or find my way home
It's just that I like
to breathe
On country roads