Friday, February 24, 2006

On The Muscle to Air on HRTV

I guess Pony Highway, production company consisting of one married couple, finally got their TV deal they were looking for, but I had hoped they would get a deal with Outdoor Life Network, or even Animal Planet. Nonetheless, you folks who did not buy the DVD can now see it for free. And I can tell you, it's an outstanding look at a top class stable.
The equine athletes in Hall of Fame trainer Richard Mandella's stable are "on the muscle" — fit, race ready, and as good as they get. The barn doors are wide open for the first in-depth look inside their world.

Three one-hour episodes follow the engaging horse characters and their trainer, veterinarian, jockeys, exercise riders and caretakers through the highs and lows of a year of world class racing. With unprecedented access to all areas of Santa Anita Park, Hollywood Park and Del Mar Racecourse, the filmmakers reveal a self-contained world that few people see, and most misunderstand.

Program TiVo, set you VCR, or camp out in front of the tele with popcorn & Coca-Cola. This is not to be missed.

2 comments:

QQ said...

Thanks Brad for the heads up! Sadly, I'll have to pick up the DVD, since cable-free homes such as mine can't catch these episodes -- or the live call-in Q&A on HRTV after Episode 3 with the filmmakers, Richard Mandella, and Becky Witzman (HRTV host & former assistant trainer to Mandella).

By the way, did you notice the Pony Highway link to Your Average Horseplayer at http://www.ponyhighway.com/otm-news.shtml?

Anonymous said...

He was/is unduly harsh on Becky Witzman and his employees behind the scenes. The show/barn/etc... is ALL about him. He refers to his help as janitors. When in fact, he would not be where he is today without the dedicated hotwalkers, grooms foremen, assistants, exercise riders, etc.... that got him where he is with those billionaire clients. He pays the help poorly and underpays them stakes/bonuses wise. Unfortunately, who he is to his clients/tv appearances is totally different than the way he treats his help privately without cameras rolling.