On Friday, I had the pleasure of seeing the movie The First Saturday in May. I had been a little reluctant to go because of the mixed reviews it received. However, Alan from Left at the Gate pushed me in favor of going with his review of the movie.

The movie is playing at Cinema Village in New York until Thursday May 1, as well as in select theaters across the country.

The documentary follows six horses, including Barbaro, on the road to the Derby. Throughout this journey, the movie captures beautifully the equine and human stories behind the greatest race in America.

All of the six very different trainers that are profiled talk about what it would mean to them to make it to the Derby. Some of them have waited twenty years or more to make it to the big race. This sets up the drama for the horses’ subsequent races, as each tries to get enough earnings to make the field.

The human stories are all powerful. From Frank Amonte, an assistant trainer with years in the business that finally gets a shot with a top prospect to Michael Matz who went from Olympian medalist to Derby winner. We meet the trainers, their families and the staff who day in and day out take care of these magnificent animals.

In a deeper level the movie captures the power and mystique of the Derby. Its ability shape the dreams and aspirations of everyone associated with the sport and the overwhelming odds that any trainer and owner face of actually getting there.

But perhaps the greatest achievement of the directors was to pick, very early on, five horses that actually made the derby, all of whom had a great chance of winning. From Brother Derek and Lawyer Ron to Belmont hero Jazil, the movie captures most of the horses that turned out to be the favorites for what Barclay Tagg called the most competitive Derby field he had ever seen. And of course, there is Barbaro, the eventual winner by one of the largest margins in history.

The movie would have been fantastic had it ended there but the directors did go on to tackle the issue of Barbaro’s tragic accident in the Preakness – albeit very tastefully. Making the ending seem like patch work, an epilogue put together last minute to accommodate the tragic event.

The movie itself is designed to build up to only one thing – the Derby. So whatever comes after that is not only anticlimactic, it is not supported by anything in the plot. It leaves the viewer feeling lost and a little depressed.

I spoke with one of the Hennegan brothers after the film and asked him about the ending. He confirmed that when they set off to do the project they had only intended to film up to the Derby but when Barbaro won so impressively, they decided to keep shooting in case they had a Triple Crown winner in their hands.

After filming, they were not sure how to end it but they were completely surprised by audiences when they screened the film. He told me “you would be surprised how many people don’t know what happened to Barbaro. Some think he is still alive, others think he got hurt in the Derby itself.”

The Hennegan brothers see this film not just as a simple documentary but also as a time capsule, designed to capture the reality of that particular Derby. They were very fortunate to share in the rise of Barbaro to the highest place in thoroughbred history; so they felt responsible to also speak about his tragedy. Especially, when they found that many people just don’t know what happened. They want people to know and they want people to care. In achieving this, the ending of the movie is successful.

The documentary is a powerful film, about people and horses. The stories are heartwarming, sometimes funny, sometimes sad, but always engaging. We share in the dreams and disappointments of those involved as they keep fighting for their chance, their day in the Derby. We are taken through a great emotional ride, and in the process we get a close look at what makes the Derby one of the bet races in the world.

It is a film that no horse enthusiast should miss! Especially, not on Derby week!