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CHARISMATIC and CHRIS ANTLEY
Thoroughbred racing was desperate for this story of deliverance - track attendance was in steep decline, stars like SECRETARIAT and SEATTLE SLEW were distant memories, drug abuse and bulimia were becoming issues in the jockey colony and America's love affair with the, "Sport of Kings", was waning. Into this void stepped CHARISMATIC and Antley, both thought to be lost causes. The racing community had such a low opinion of CHARISMATIC that he had been entered into claiming races just months prior to the Triple Crown races. As for Antley, he was considered a washed-up, anorexic, recovering drug addict who should have stayed retired from racing; he was on a downward spiral that threatened his very life. The horse racing community had left him behind as had almost everyone else he knew. But Chris, in a moment of inspiration, decided to fight back and mount one of the most unlikely comebacks in sports history. He would need an ally and found one in renowned trainer, D. Wayne Lukas. Together, along with the expertise of legendary trainer D. Wayne Lukas, they became the biggest long shots in 59 years to win the Kentucky Derby, and then followed up with another underdog win at the Preakness.
Chris Antley and CHARISMATIC quickly found themselves vying for the elite Triple Crown and thrust into the media spotlight when Antley's struggle with addiction resurfaced. Chris Antley and CHARISMATIC had the lead heading down the stretch at the 1999 Belmont Stakes. With a quarter of mile to go, CHARISMATIC looked destined to be the first Triple Crown in over 20 years. But at the eighth pole something broke. Antley knew it immediately and made a seemingly unthinkable choice. He eased up and gently coaxed the injured colt across the line having sacrificed the Triple Crown and ultimately his career. Moments later, Chris Antley sat in the dirt cradling CHARISMATIC's foreleg in full view of 125,000 fans. Antley's actions saved the horse's life. Eighteen months later, Antley would be dead from a drug overdose, but not before showing the world his true greatness.
This is a story of hope and reclamation. It is also a story of demons, drugs and dreams. The jockey who rode CHARISMATIC to his audacious victories, Chris Antley, was gifted and troubled. CHARISMATIC tells the story of a duo who quickly won the hearts of horseracing fans across the country before tragedy struck; it chronicles the rise and fall of jockey Chris Antley and the horse, CHARISMATIC.
The story of Chris Antley is sad, heroic and inspiring all in one.
In 1999, CHARISMATIC became the third horse in a row to win the Kentucky Derby and Preakness. He also became the third horse in a row to fail to win the Belmont.
They may have been denied their Hollywood ending, but their story of redemption lives on. CHARISMATIC and jockey Chris Antley may not have achieved their fairytale ending that dreams are made of but their story of strength and endurance lives on. This is the improbable journey of a jockey named Chris Antley and a horse named CHARISMATIC.
(53 Minutes)
Listing Info: | |
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Listing ID: | 1164 |
Format(s) Available: | DVD And VHS |
Category: | U.S. & Canadian Flat Racing |