News out of Churchill Downs is all about luminescence! After an experimental three days of racing under the lights last Spring, the Board of Directors has voted to install permanent lights at the track. Still unknown: how many races will actually be contested under the lights but its safe to say they will be a hit with the fans. The move is also designed to attract the working crowd to racing, a sport that is usually contested during the day.
There's another reason the spotlight is shining on Churchill Downs and that is because Disney was in town recently filming some scenes for the upcoming movie about Secretariat. They changed the banner between the twin spires to read "99th running, 1973" referring of course to the Kentucky Derby that Secretariat won. What a great time warp for the folks there--a return to the true glory days of racing!
Diane Lane portrays owner Penny Tweedy (Chenery) in the film and John Malkovich plays trainer Lucien Lauren. Journeyman rider Otto Thornwarth portrays jockey Ron Turcotte. Hundreds of extras were cast from locals who were told to appear at the track in 1970s attire!
With Disney behind it, we know the film will be professional and it certainly will shine a spotlight on the sport of racing. Secretariat remains one of the great horse heroes of all times and certainly made the leap from the sports pages to the front pages. This movie is long overdue, but you know what they say about a great story--that it is timeless.
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