Backside, an observational documentary that honors the primarily immigrant workforce that helps sustain the horse racing industry, will be screened at the Speed Art Museum in Louisville. Filmed over five years by an all-LatinX team, Backside 'offers an intimate look at the lives of workers who begin their days before dawn, seven days a week, caring for some of the world's most prized racehorses' in the barns behind Churchill Downs—known as the “backside.” According to a release, the documentary 'goes beyond the pageantry of the [Kentucky] Derby to reveal the grit, skill, and dedication of immigrant and multi-generational workers whose labor often goes unseen. The documentary examines the intersection of class, race, and labor, humanizing the people who sustain an elite American sporting tradition while emphasizing the deep, symbiotic relationship between humans and horses.' “Backside challenges audiences to see beyond the spectacle of the Derby,” said Dean Otto, Curator of Film at the Speed Art Museum. “It's an invitation to witness the dignity, expertise, and resilience of a community that quietly sustains one of America's most celebrated events.” The Museum is collaborating with the Backside Learning Center, which supports the educational, social and personal growth of the backstretch community at Churchill Downs. Further support for the project has been provided by the racetrack. “This film shines a light on those who are truly the soul of an industry so central to the history, culture and economy of our state.” said Sherry Stanley, executive director of the Backside Learning Center. Screenings will take place at Speed Cinema from Thursday, Sept. 25 through Sunday, Sept. 28, 2025, with post-film discussions featuring director Raul O. Paz-Pastrana, producers and grooms featured in the documentary. A Spanish-language screening with discussion in Spanish will also be offered. This marks one of the first screenings of Backside outside of its world premiere at the Tribeca Film Festival. Click here for ticketing information.   The post ‘Backside’, Documentary Highlighting Backstretch Workers, To Be Screened In Louisville appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Group 3 winner A Bit Of Spirit will be trained toward the G1 Prix Jean-Luc Lagardere on October 5, according to trainer Clive Cox. The son of Palace Pier, who carries the Paul and Clare Rooney colours, won the G3 Solario Stakes last month and was also under consideration for the G2 Royal Lodge Stakes closer to home on September 27. “We're over the moon with the success at Sandown and with that under his belt we're drawn towards the Lagardere,” said Cox. “With the ability to perform on any surface proven now, it enables us to have a relaxed focus on another nice target without worrying about ground. “He's matured well through the summer, both mentally and physically, and has just continued improving. He has a wonderful racing attitude and I don't think I've ever had one before with such a determined character as he has.” The post A Bit Of Spirit Pointing To Lagardere appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

George Todaro's ultra-consistent 5-year-old mare Aloha Breeze was voted Horse of the Meeting at the 30th Emerald Downs season that concluded Sept. 7.View the full article

Jaime Torres usually rides between Kentucky tracks and Fair Grounds but a trip to Colonial Downs in Virginia on Old Dominion Derby Day proved to be worthwhile with three mounts leading to three stakes wins including the Gr. III Old Dominion Derby. View the full article

Veteran Finger Lakes trainer Paul Barrow secures 1,000th victory of his career Sept. 9.View the full article

Thanks Gamma for your thoughts always appreciated and you are indeed an enthusiast. CEO Brad Steele has said that everything is positive with harness racing. He should know as he has all the relative figures so We need to just get on with it, knowing that we are being told the truth. Not sure why they called the Committee then and where it has got to? Mustve thought it was not required after all? What a relief 😅😂

They take a few thousand per year to pay very mild stakemoney, to Good, Hard working New Zealanders. Begrudging anyone a GO in their Sport and/or means of livelihood is pretty poor form imo. and should be Everyones opinion who loves the sport.  they Should be encouraging and mentoring and rewarding. to keep the sport alive .  Once it's gone (like Hutt and Forbury and Gold Coast ) it's gone.  Gone. makes no difference to you Severe critics in the South Island , who seem to wish it to happen with all the hate of North Island trotting'.  a shame it came to that. Good on the trainers going around today , and their young drivers. the future of the sport.  Grizzling over dollars ? gotta spend it on something. Buy a Standardbred yearling boys and SUPPORT the Sport . Victoria operates at operating debt each year. -24 mill last year. approaching around 80 mill total I believe. But HRV still supports the participants across the state with races , nearly every day. thousands of peoples work depends on it. adjustments are made each year  You blokes are the opposite? . just worried because of the odd 6 horse field . lol. 😂  what a Stupid thing to worry about really , in these days and times when a RESULT is very helpful to cover costs.  I TELL you again . The small fields are good for owners, trainers, drivers and Punters as you can GET RESULTS consistently . enough to pay the way of the Horses in training (which is expensive these days) and the winners pays the same as it would in a 10 horse field generally for punters,  as the Pool is more concentrated on less horses, which elevates the price of the winner to a better level. I'm not gunna try and explain the mathematics of that as is probably not in the Capability of most ( That don't recognize the laws of averages and numbers as the reason for success rates )   six horse fields should be the Norm to compete with the law of averages.  the only persons that todays racing at Waikato doesn't suit,  is the North Island haters you see on NZ harness forums. seems an Embarrassment to your nation and to the once great Sport of Harness racing. 

by Diana Li McPherson I have read with great interest the different Letters to the Editor people have sent in celebrating the life and love of Stuart Angus. Since my husband Steve McPherson and I loved and admired Stu, I felt compelled to share some thoughts on Stuart's extraordinary life. My husband met Stu several years ago at Saratoga while “Stuey” worked for Taylor Made at the Fasig-Tipton Sale. It was clear from the first time they met that their shared traits in humanity would create the foundation for a lifetime of friendship. Their love of horses, their ability to tell amazing stories, and–most importantly–their love for their fellow man was an instant magnet that brought the two of them together.  That fact seems to be one of Taylor Made's superpowers.  Whether it's Frank Taylor, Mark, Duncan, Steve Castagnola or a number of other players on their team, Taylor Made seems to find the most sincere people to handle their sale business.  Certainly, Stuart Angus would be right at the top of anyone's 'most sincere' list. As people have shared over and over again, Stu's ability to connect with people, his awareness of their circumstances and his ability to make their lives seem so important is only a few of the many traits that made Stuart special. He was compassionate, loving and he cared so deeply for others that it was almost surreal how important he was to the development of humanity in Kentucky and beyond. I cannot tell you how many times my husband and Stu would be sharing 'another' glass of bourbon, then, remarkably, Stu would spout out something so profound that you would just sit there staring at him in amazement. The stories about how Stu enriched people's lives are being told over and over again in the TDN and in bars and restaurants all over Lexington. The number of young people he mentored will impact the Thoroughbred business for generations. If anything else, Stu taught us all that, while Thoroughbred racing is ultra competitive, kindness, grace and love can bring all of those competitors together. His impact on the industry and the people who work in horse racing can never really be measured. While Stu lost the battle that so many of us watched him wage, he did so with such grace and dignity that it stands to inspire us all for years to come. As life goes on, and time passes, Stuart's memory will begin to fade as people go on with their lives. Here is hoping that those who have taken the time to share their remarkable love for Stuart will continue to do so far into the future. Editor's Note: Stuart Angus, a Senior Thoroughbred Advisor for Taylor Made, passed away Aug. 28 at the age of 60. His friends are encouraging those he touched to submit `Stu stories' to the TDN. Please email suefinley@thetdn.com  if you have a story to share. The post Stu Story #10 appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Thats great then we can breath a sigh of relief. Onwards and upwards!