Seabiscuit story on PBS now

[fly_so_free]

The story of Seabiscuit is on PBS American Experience right now. If any one is interested, this is a great story.

[fly_so_free]

The book Seabiscuit by Laura Hildebrand is a great book, not just about horse racing, but about America and American history too. This is the only movie I'm looking foward to seeing this summer.

[Mr. Mojo]

I'm watching right now. Fantastic show.

[Mr. Mojo]

Seabiscuit just made a rear admiral out of War Admiral.

[Charles Henrickson]

My wife and daughter and I saw the program. Very interesting.

I didn't know there was a theatrical movie coming. Just found the movie website:

seabiscuitmovie.com

Tobey Maguire, Chris Cooper, and Jeff Bridges as the jockey, the trainer, and the owner, respectively.

[fly_so_free]

It was a great show. If you liked it all, you have to read the book. What was on PBS is only about 1/8 of the Seabiscuit story. The book has everything. Its got American History , just as one example, it tells about the San Francisco fire and about how America changed from horses to cars. I mean , its not just a horse racing story, there are all kinds of interesting historical tid-bits throughout. (But for me, I love the horse story parts). It's is just a fascinating book.

[fly_so_free]

They filmed the movie at Santa Anita. I don't live too far from it. They had horse racing from there on a PBS channel last Saturday and they showed the trailer for the movie. It looks like it is going to be awesome.

[2rightsleftcoast]

Agreed, great book. Looking forward to the movie.
Toby Mcguire in the lead. I don't believe he has made
any anti American comments.

[fly_so_free]

"Toby Mcguire in the lead. I don't believe he has made any anti American comments."

I don't think he has either. I'm crossing my fingers and my toes that the stars of this movie keep their comments to themselves . I really want to see this movie.

I took a film appreciation class a couple of years ago. One of the first things covered was how people are able to watch and enjoy movies because they "suspend their disbelief". It kinda means that they set aside the fact that what their seeing on the screen is fake, and let themselves become involved with the movie.

You'd think the "stars" would understand that since their careers depend on people being able to believe them in different roles, it might be wise not to draw too much controversial attention to themselves in their off screen lives.

Example Nicholas Cage- someone asked him about the war and he said he doesn't discuss religion or politics. Keifer Sutherland said we ought to avoid war if we can. I don't have a problem with either of these star's statements. They are probally both giant liberals but, they haven't insulted me or my beliefs , so I'd go see a movie with them in it.

It's a free country. If they (stars)want to be fools and support demacrats fine. But if they feel the need to make some statement, they should be tactful and respectful of the other sides opinion. Sadly, most of them don't get it.

Anyway here's hoping Seabiscuit's stars stay out of the conflict. -at least we know the horse who played Seabiscuit won't be making any anti American speeches-LOL ;-)

[2rightsleftcoast]

Exactly, I want to see it too. Here's hoping.
I saw Nick Cage make that statement on some awards show as he was walking in. He was smart. Also, yesterday flipping channels saw Jon Voight say he supports our troops and that we love them etc. One of the good guys I think.

[fly_so_free]

"One of the good guys I think"

Yes, I saw John Voight on Fox News and he was very supportive of our troops. He does seem to be one of the good guys.

[cmsgop]

I thought this was about Chelsea......

[willyboyishere]

I saw this last night--it nearly moved my wife and I to tears. What a great story, and an AMERICAN story. I am a major horse-racing fanatic and handicapper/bettor and seeing this docu was like manna from horseracing heaven.
I too can't wait for the movie. I hope they do the book justice. Someone I met on a cruise ship to Bermuda last June
raved about it to me for a good ten minutes.

[eleni121]

According to a professional trainer I know the phenomenon Seabiscuit had to have legs of steel in order to survive 35 races as a two year old, not to mention once he was in the public eye to race almost weekly against the best horses in North America in high weight handicap races. For example, Seabiscuit carried 30 pounds more weight than War Admiral and got beat by only a nose!

Most of today's handicap races do not have a weight discrimination that high. He earned his money as professional trainers would say "the hard way" eg. some horses today can earn a millon plus in six starts for big purses.

Seabiscuit earned his the hard way. Seabiscuit started at bottom cheap purses and racked up a huge lifetime earnings.

[fly_so_free]

"An American Story"

I keep raving about the book to people too. It really is an American story. Even if you don't like horses or racing (wich I luv), you will still think the story is great. The author went to alot trouble to gather all the historical facts. I've actually read the book twice.

[fly_so_free]

"Seabiscuit carried 30 more pounds weight than War Admiral and got beat by only a nose"

You wouldn't see that today. Not to mention Seabiscuit ran once a week. That would be unheard of today. The trainers howl if their horses carry any weight over 120 lbs. Alot of times, they will take their horse to another track, where they can get a lighter weight for a race. You can't blame them though. The problem is the horses today aren't as strong as they were back then. People have been breeding for speed. The result is you get a lighter, faster horse. But unfortuantley, you also get a horse with alot more delicate bone structure, and he will have more problems.

[eleni121]

I agree that they breed them for speed today. They are also more inbred than they were back then. With today's vitamins and nutrients their bones are as good if not better than back then but they are traveling at higher rates of speed. Notice the documentary did not give the track times when Seabisuit was breaking records which by today's standards would probably be considered slow.

Secretariat was another superb specimen. He had a much larger heart and lung capacity than the average racehorse - a freak. However, he did not transmit these genes to his descendants though his grandchildren did show more promise than his children.

Seattle Slew anyone?

[fly_so_free]

"Secretariat did not transmit these genes"

He was mostly a diaapointment in the breeding department. But did you see the triple crown bid of Risen Star ? He finished 3rd in the Ky derby and then he won the Preakness and the Belmont. Most horses , if they make a bid at all, win the Derby and the Preakness , then don't make it in the Belmont. Not to mention, he (Risen Star) won the Belmont by about 16 lengths. He looked just like his dad Secretariot that day. He was having an ankle problem, that's why he finished 3rd in the Derby. With a bit more luck, I think he would have been the next triple crown winner.

It's nice to see there are some horsey people here on Free Republic. Since it's pretty close to the 1st Saturday in May, Who do you like in the Ky Derby? It looks like Bobby Frankel's Empire Maker will be the favorite. I still kind a like AtsWhatImTalkinAbout, for a long shot maybe. He has a good trainer and he's beautiful. Course that doesn't mean he can win. I don't think he ran as a 2 year old either.

[LauraJean]

I read the book on Seabiscuit and cried at the end. I didn't see the documentary but I am really looking forward to the movie. May 9 is the opening at Arlington and I looking forward to donating to the equine benevelent society that day.

[eleni121]

If I had 5 bucks for every trainer who said the horse had an ankle problem etc. I would be a millionnaire. A common phrase on the backside "If a pig had wings..." Though I have a lot of respect for a horse who wins two out of three, it is better to be a has been than a never been. It's amazing to think about how difficult it is to become a triple crown winner...

As far as Empire Maker, the media always jumps on the favorite. He could have been ridden hard and have unforeseen problems...total speculation. These are tough races...and anything can happen. As any trainer will tell you the horse will make a liar out of him in a blink of an eye.

"It's best not to go too fast too far." The fact that Empire Maker is lightly raced poses a conundrum. He could be sore and they are gluing him together or saving him for the big one. Only the trainer/vet/jockey knows for sure.

[fly_so_free]

"Alington opening"

I've never been there. But I heard that after the fire they rebuilt it and its just beautiful. I have seen it on TV. I give miney to a equine charity too. It's called Pegasus Foundation. They rescue race horses and other horses. I wish more people would think about this when they go to the track.

Can't wait for the Seabiscuit movie.