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By John M. Whalen

In 2009 a gelding trained and owned by a couple of cowboys from New Mexico won the Kentucky Derby running at 50-1 odds. Mine That Bird hadn’t won a single race in the United States before that and only qualified to run the Derby because of the stakes he’d won in Canada. Not only that, Mine That Bird was small and slightly “crooked up front,” as his trainer, Chip Wooley (Skeet Ulrich) says when he first sees him. He’s skeptical at first when he flies up to Canada to see him and advises his boss/friend Mark Allen (Christian Kane) to pass on him. But when he sees Mine That Bird whizz around the track he decides they need to buy him. Asking price, half a million. The Canadians who owned him had paid only $9,500 for him.

Sony Pictures’ “50-1,” (2014) directed and co-written by Jim Wilson,...

50 to 1

Written by Faith Conroy and Jim Wilson

Directed by Jim Wilson

USA, 2014

Imagine, if you will, a horse race that starts and finishes in a blink of an eye. We see your choice winner bucking behind the starting gate. His chances of winning are slim to none, fifty to one in fact. You may not know anything about the horse, but you like the sound of his name on the program, and figure you can make some nice cash from a long shot. The gate opens and your horse bellows out the door. Immediately cut to the first bend and he is trailing behind the team. Now, immediately cut to the last and he strides to the finish line by a large margin. Victory is yours, but to what fulfillment? Sure you’re happy that your horse won, and heck, you might have made a serious winning. You probably...

In this new featurette, actor Christian Kane talks about his character (Mark Allen) in the upcoming 50 To 1. Based on Mine That Bird, the underdog racehorse that won the 2009 Kentucky Derby, the film opens in theaters March 21, 2014.

Two songs from Kane’s The House Rules (2010) album – “Something’s Gotta’ Give” and “Whiskey in Mind” – are featured in the 50 To 1 soundtrack.

The cast and filmmakers of 50 To 1 will hit the road rock-star style on a cross-country tour beginning March 17 to promote the major motion picture’s release.

Cast members set for the tour are Skeet Ulrich, Christian Kane, Todd Lowe and Hugo Perez.Also on tour will be filmmakers Jim Wilson and Faith Conroy. As a very special treat – the real Mine That Bird will make special appearances along the way.

Email your request to:

50to1themovietour@gmail.com

Include in the subject line:

50 to 1 Movie Tour – First and Last Name, Town,...

Check out the first trailer and poster for the upcoming movie 50 To 1 - based on Mine That Bird, the underdog racehorse that won the 2009 Kentucky Derby. The film opens in theaters March 21, 2014.

50 To 1 is about a misfit group of New Mexico cowboys who find themselves on the journey of a lifetime when their crooked-footed racehorse qualifies for the Kentucky Derby. The cowboys face a series of mishaps on their way to Churchill Downs, becoming the ultimate underdogs in a final showdown with the world’s racing elite.

50 To 1 is from the Oscar-winning producer of Dances With Wolves, Jim Wilson, who serves as this film’s director, producer, and co-writer. Faith Conroy co-wrote the script with Wilson.

Skeet Ulrich (Jericho, “Scream,” “As Good As It Gets”), Christian Kane (Leverage), William Devane (24, “The Dark Knight Rises”), Todd Lowe (True Blood, Gilmore Girls) and newcomer Madelyn Deutch star in the film alongside real-life jockey Calvin Borel,...

Catch the pleasing first trailer as well as the poster for 50 to 1 starring Skeet Ulrich, Christian Kane and William Devane. This is the story about a misfit group of New Mexico cowboys who find themselves on the journey of a lifetime when their crooked-footed racehorse called Mine That Bird qualifies for the Kentucky Derby. The cowboys face a series of mishaps on their way to Churchill Downs, becoming the ultimate underdogs in a final showdown with the world’s racing elite. It's not Seabiscuit, or Disney's Secretariat, as well, it doesn't have the budget, nor is it as serious, but looks to be more lighthearted and fun. Jim Wilson, producer of various Kevin Costner films like Swing Vote, Mr. Brooks, The Postman, Wyatt Earp, The Bodyguard and Dances with Wolves, directs from a script he wrote with Faith Conroy.

Mine That Bird, the underdog racehorse that won the 2009 Kentucky Derby, is the focus of a new Hollywood film 50 To 1 that opens in theaters March 21, 2014.

The news was announced by 50 To 1 director, producer, co-writer and racehorse owner Jim Wilson (Oscar-winning producer of “Dances With Wolves”).

Skeet Ulrich (Jericho, “Scream,” “As Good As It Gets”), Christian Kane (Leverage), William Devane (24, “The Dark Knight Rises”), Todd Lowe (True Blood, Gilmore Girls) and newcomer Madelyn Deutch star in the film alongside real-life jockey Calvin Borel, who plays himself in the picture. Faith Conroy co-wrote the script with Wilson.

(via Christian Kane’s Facebook page)

The film, which is rooted in New Mexico and shot in over 30 locations throughout the state—from Santa Fe to Las Cruces—will kick off the theatrical release with the world premiere in Albuquerque at the historic KiMo Theatre on March 19th.

50 To 1 is about a misfit group of...