“TOO BLACK TO FAST: The Story of America’s First Athlete” This documentary focuses on the little known legacy of African American trainers and jockeys in American horse racing. Some quick facts: • First winner of the 'Run for the Roses' was an African-American jockey, Oliver Lewis. • First winner of the Kentucky Derby had an African American trainer, Ansel Williamson. • • Fifteen of the first 28 Kentucky Derby races were won by African American jockeys. • First back to back winning jockey of the Kentucky Derby, African American Isaac Murphy in 1890 and 1891. • Second back-to-back winning jockey of the Kentucky Derby, Jimmy Winkfield. Winkfield raced in four consecutive derbies placing third, first, first and second respectively. Winkfield left the US for Russia, rode for the Czar of Russia and continued his riding in England, France, Spain, Poland, Austria and Hungary. • Isaac Murphy was the first jockey to win three Kentucky Derbies and he won 44% of all of his races, a feat never duplicated by an American jockey. • African American Alonzo Clayton was the youngest Kentucky Derby winner at age 15 in 1892. • Willie Simms is the only African American jockey to win all three of the Triple Crown events. He is also the first American jockey to win at an English race course with an American horse and is also known for teaching the short stirrup style of riding to England racers. • Mark St. Julien in 2000 was the first African American jockey to ride in the Kentucky Derby in 79 years.

Forms: Documentary
Genres: Family, Educational, Independent, Wildlife, Sport, Urban, Period/Historical, Action/Adventure, Art
Niches: African, African American, Black, Hispanic, Latino, Third World, Women, Student, Youth/Teen, Children, Mature/Adult