Disney Magic - By Kate Tweedy

re: Disney Magic - By Kate Tweedy

Cecilia estrada — Mon, 14 Mar 2011 19:45:45 GMT

I havent seen the yet But i Had the Great luck of havIng met (and touched) Secretariat thru my friendship with Kate, who was as Nice and friendly as the champ But Never ran so fast. Hi Kate! Cecilia

re: Disney Magic - By Kate Tweedy

bipster — Thu, 10 Mar 2011 01:27:14 GMT

Hey mrs. tweedy if you read this im doing a report for a living museum project that my teachers making me do and i doing it on you! you are very inspering(i think i spelled that right:P) and you make me feel like anyone can accomplish something if they really try. After watching the movie i knew it wasent in full deatail and i started some reasearch and you are a very amazing person. i also love horses and hope to be as great as youare when i grow up.

re: Disney Magic - By Kate Tweedy

red1 — Mon, 21 Feb 2011 01:16:24 GMT

i love horse racing and i loved big red,ur mom and family. its 2011 and i have seen the movie many times hav got the dvd and just ordered ur book. we will never see a horse like BIG RED,it still brings chills to me when i think of watching him race. good luck to u and ur fantastic mom.

re: Disney Magic - By Kate Tweedy

JanTanton — Sun, 06 Feb 2011 22:25:03 GMT

Kate/Penny - Our family snuggled in last night and finally had a chance to watch the film. I want to thank you and your mother so much for sharing this story, and I know that much of it is "Disney-ized". I was 12 at the time that Secretariat won the Triple Crown, and I remember it like it was yesterday. As the only rider and horsey gal in our family, my grandfather fostered that love, and we watched Secretariat win together. It's a memory that I will always cherish. It's important to know how the stories of others connect with our own. I'm grateful for your mother's work at a very important time for women overall. Please tell her that she's an inspiration, and thanks to your family for rekindling some wonderful memories for me and sharing a deeply touching story.

re: Disney Magic - By Kate Tweedy

Hamilton — Tue, 02 Nov 2010 09:46:53 GMT

Kate,

hope the movie gets to Brazil soon.

Hamilton

re: Disney Magic - By Kate Tweedy

luckylad — Thu, 21 Oct 2010 16:30:37 GMT

Kate,

I really enjoyed your insights into the movie. Your mother was/isincredibly charasmatic. The legend that is Secretariat was elevated by her involvement in his career. Plus, she made very smart decisions on the horse's behalf.

re: Disney Magic - By Kate Tweedy

MartaA — Sat, 16 Oct 2010 01:27:04 GMT

Soooo wanted to be you..wanted Penny to adopt me. As a 9 year old watching my first Kentucky Derby and subsequent ,"triple crown" ,I was just floored by Big Red. I didn't learn to ride until my 10th summer, but my family complains? that it was all because I was mesmerized by this big red horse. LOVED the movie, have each of his races memorized, and was glad to see them portrayed accurately. Would have been cool though, for the movie to have walked "Secretariat" pass "his" statue at Belmont.

I remember where/what I was doing, that Oct. 4. I had to pull my car over, and just sobbed. For him, for your mom & family..what a loss, but what a legacy.

Glad to hear the movie met your approval.

Sincerely,

Marta A

Colorado Springs

re: Disney Magic - By Kate Tweedy

Brenda — Wed, 13 Oct 2010 22:05:16 GMT

Saw the Movie yesterday..AN LOVED IT!! Your mom is right about the film. It might have had a few things that other horseman will be upset about...But all..in all the movie came together Beautifully. I am so Thankful to Disney for making a great movie. The only thing that bothered me, was the music when Big Red was coming home in the Belmont...I think seeing, feeling and hearing the horse and the people..Would of been so much better. But I still Loved It and plan on seeing it again.

re: Disney Magic - By Kate Tweedy

Fran Loszynski — Tue, 12 Oct 2010 15:42:45 GMT

To Ms. Chenery:

Thank you for the movie of Secretariat. I discovered something I never knew about Secretariat's race in the Belmont. He "played with Sham" He knew the race would be long and hard and tired Sham so he wouldn't be a threat. That's exactly what he did and then like the powerhouse he was knew Sham and the other horses wouldn't touch him took off. Your brave and courageous horse was not only a fast horse but an intuitive horse.

re: Disney Magic - By Kate Tweedy

Aleine in VA — Sat, 09 Oct 2010 20:38:04 GMT

Hoping to see the movie today. I have several photos (reproductions) and other memorabilia, a small statue and a magazine from '73 (Time, the "Superhorse" article).

My brother used to work for Mr. Chenery in the 50's and remembered that everyone called him "C.T." Any memories of John Snider, Jr.?

He was an exercise rider for Mr. Chenery here in our home state (VA).

I hate that the Meadow Farm is now the State Fair of VA venue, but at least the land isn't a concrete filled parking lot.

re: Disney Magic - By Kate Tweedy

Anne Tweedy T. — Sat, 09 Oct 2010 01:58:09 GMT

Dear Aunt Penny, Kate and family,

I am going to see the movie tomorrow. Larry saw it today and thought is was very fair and well done. What wonderful memories. I will never forget all us cheering the horse as he ran down the final stretch at Belmont as we watched this with Dad on tv. Leroy Neiman's painting of "Stretched Out" proudly hangs on our walls...I wish Jim could be here to see it with me.

re: Disney Magic - By Kate Tweedy

fred palmer — Fri, 08 Oct 2010 20:21:53 GMT

i was there.it was one of my greatest thrills of my life time.tears came to my eyes when chick lang said secretariat is running like a tremendous machine.i still have the program,ticket in my photo album.i am sure i will tear up again.

re: Disney Magic - By Kate Tweedy

Soldier Course — Fri, 08 Oct 2010 19:00:24 GMT

I just saw the movie, and thought it was wonderful. I came away feeling that I had learned something new about Secretariat's story, something not necessarily factual but rather intangible.

I was glad that the movie called my attention to all the challenges Penny Chenery had to overcome on her mission. That aspect of the story often gets lost in all the glory about the horse. Diane Lane did a superb job.

The occasional factual errors didn't bother me like I thought they would. After all, it wasn't "Dragnet".

I give it an A440, tuned to the gold standard.

re: Disney Magic - By Kate Tweedy

Dorothy Snowden — Fri, 08 Oct 2010 02:57:42 GMT

Having a horse, breed and raised on our South Dakota ranch, appearing as "Big Red" in the "Secretariat" movie has been exciting, to say the least! But it doesn't compare to my memories of seeing Secretariat at Claiborne and the hospitality of Kentucky "Hardboots".

re: Disney Magic - By Kate Tweedy

Linda M — Thu, 07 Oct 2010 16:37:47 GMT

Hi all.....just want to share with you that many years ago, after Big Red was retired and siring his babies, I met Penny in a dept. store. Of course, I had to stop her. I asked how Big Red and babies are, and just like a proud grandma, pulled a "brag book" out of her purse to show me the pictures of the foals. The excitement she exuded and her love for these horses, touched me more than I can say. Some lady.

I was so delighted to see her attend Zenyatta's 19th winning race.

Love you Penny and what you have done for this magical sport.

Linda M.

re: Disney Magic - By Kate Tweedy

quarterhossgal — Thu, 07 Oct 2010 14:02:54 GMT

Being a very senior citizen I remember all of Secretariat's races. We didn't have the TV coverage that is available today, but when we had a chance to see him run we were gluded to our little 12" TV screen. When Secretariat first began to win I remember people comparing him to Man of War (Big Red). The story of his groom who so loved him is just another part of this great story. I can not wait to see the movie.Penny C. is an inspiration to women, she was way before the time of liberated women but from my experience with other horsewomen so are they.

As for Queen Z., she is a story that will be told for many generations. I only wish all horses could be fortunate enough to get into the right hands. People that challenge, care and love them.

re: Disney Magic - By Kate Tweedy

smarie — Thu, 07 Oct 2010 02:30:34 GMT

Ms. Tweedy,

As I write this, I am in my office surrounded by 11 pictures of Secretariat on my walls. He was an incredible horse and I am so glad that I was of an age to see him run. Your mother was one of the most gracious owners ever. She had time for all the fans. She still does. Thoroughbred owners used to be a bit high in the instep years ago, and perhaps some still are. But your mother was kind and enthusiastic and seemed to really appreciate Secretariat's fans. I can't wait to see the movie. I don't care about the liberties the movie folks have taken. I just want to recapture some of the feelings I felt when Big Red was racing. God bless you and your family and thank you for still sharing Secretariat with all of us.

re: Disney Magic - By Kate Tweedy

WinngColrz — Wed, 06 Oct 2010 23:47:32 GMT

Being a 30+ year racetracker, it's a love-hate relationship with racing movies simply because of all the things that would NEVER happen in real life--and I have to remind myself that no matter the story line, whether it be medicine or police or baseball, it's Hollywood first and foremost. I get it. So with that said, I adored the message, loved the tenacity, strength and passion shown. There were some amazing shots and cinematography which can only help to entice people to give racing a 'go'.

I attended a screening last night in Oklahoma City, right across the street from Remington Park, which is coinciding with their Derby on Sunday. It was sooooo cool to be in the audience with Otto Thorwarth who played Ron Turcotte, as well as the first trainer to win the Ok Derby, Donnie Von Hemel, as well as Larry Jones. It was an honor to witness it with these people.

Sunday we will also get to see Mr Turcotte and Otto again for autographs and hopefully some photo ops for a once-in-a-lifetime event. Thank you Scott Wells and the Marketing dept at Remington for putting this all together.

Racing needs this on a regular basis.

re: Disney Magic - By Kate Tweedy

wendyg — Wed, 06 Oct 2010 22:48:10 GMT

I saw the movie the other night in a special preview, and I agree, the movie is wonderful. What a special group of people your family members are to have loved a horse like Secretariat so much, and to have endured some very hard times. Thank you for putting your story out there for those of us who were around when Secretariat ran, but were quite young. I loved the movie.

re: Disney Magic - By Kate Tweedy

Deb — Wed, 06 Oct 2010 20:00:05 GMT

Ms. Penny C. was one of the ladies that made it possible for women to have horses at the track and win the triple crown!

Thank you for showing us the way with your grit,great personality, and love of the horse.

Thank you to your family and friends that supported you in this quest for following a dream and thank you for the great red horse and his stallmate Riva.

re: Disney Magic - By Kate Tweedy

Soldier Course — Wed, 06 Oct 2010 18:47:23 GMT

I join everyone in thanking you for sharing your thoughts about the movie.

Movie director Mike Nichols once said that a movie is like a person, either you trust it or you don't.

A person doesn't have to be perfect to be trustworthy, and neither does a movie. The vote of confidence that you and your mother have given to "Secretariat" assures me that that the movie can be trusted to tune Secretariat's story like a grand piano, where even-temperament is preferred over mathematical precision.

re: Disney Magic - By Kate Tweedy

Lauracrown — Wed, 06 Oct 2010 17:29:21 GMT

Ms. Tweedy,

I so enjoyed reading about your personal opinion of the movie and about your inside knowledge about Secretariat, your gracious mother, and everyone involved in Secretariat's story! I plan to see the movie and will be looking to spot you in the film.

I have always loved Secretariat and admired your mother. I saw him race at Saratoga and was so thrilled to watch his Triple Crown exploits on TV! He remains the greatest horse of my lifetime. I hope the movie does well so more horse racing movies will be made of high quality. I agree with others that Zenyatta and Afleet Alex would make great movie subjects. Also,if this movie succeeds, maybe Seattle Slew's and Affirmed's stories will be immortalized on film! Thank you for increasing my interest in seeing this movie, inaccuracies and all.

re: Disney Magic - By Kate Tweedy

Cleone — Wed, 06 Oct 2010 17:17:40 GMT

Kate, thank you for giving us your and your mom's view on the movie, which I am very much looking forward to.

One of my regrets is never making it to Kentucky to see Secretariat before he died, so I made sure to make it to Hollywood Park this past weekend to see Zenyatta. What a thrill, and then a second thrill when I looked over and saw this lovely, elegant white-haired lady in a blue and white patterned sweater slowly making her way into the paddock.

"Two queens of racing in one day!" someone else was heard to remark, and I agree. It was awesome.

re: Disney Magic - By Kate Tweedy

Delrene — Wed, 06 Oct 2010 17:11:56 GMT

I saw your Mother Sat. at Hollywood Park. She looked well and was very gracious. Look forward to the movie with the exception as to why Disney felt compelled to create an "evil horse such as Sham and his trainer". Too bad, but hope it does great at the box office! Wish I'd seen the real Secretariat when he was with us.

re: Disney Magic - By Kate Tweedy

Monty — Wed, 06 Oct 2010 16:34:55 GMT

I too can't wait to see the movie this weekend, looks really entertaining ! Hey, I heard about this other horse film coming out in a couple of years too, it's called "Zenyatta, Undefeated Champion", can't wait to see that one also ...