1957 Pre-Derby Tom
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This film shows Thomas Koza interviewing trainers before the 1957 Kentucky Derby.
Credits
Frank Koza (filmmaker); James E. Fitzsimmons (interviewee); John A. Nerud (interviewee); Thomas Koza (interviewer)
Complete catalog record
Cfa collection: Frank Koza Collection
Notes: The film begins with an interview with James E. Fitzsimmons (Mr. Fitz), Hall of Fame trainer, discussing his previous Derby winners and the chances of his horse, Bold Ruler (a Racing Hall of Fame horse), in "tomorrow's" race (May 4, 1957). Mr. Fitz was the trainer of 13 Horse Racing Triple Crown winners during his career. The next scene includes an interview with John A. Nerud, Hall of Fame trainer, discussing the chances of his horse, Gallant Man (a Racing Hall of Fame horse). This was John Nerud's first Kentucky Derby. Gallant Man finished second when its jockey, Bill Shoemaker, misjudged the finish and stood up in the stirrups prematurely. The owner of Gallant Man was Ralph Lowe, evidenced by the blanket worn by Gallant Man. The film concludes with shots of horses exercising on the track, Churchill Downs betting windows, and cleanup of the grounds in preparation for race day.
Distributed by: Illinois Bell Telephone Company
Subjects: Horses; Racing; Sports
Places: North America > United States > Kentucky
Language: English
Cfa elements: Negatives, 291 feet
Cfa records: https://collections.chicagofilmarchives.org/Detail/objects/12196
Notes: The film begins with an interview with James E. Fitzsimmons (Mr. Fitz), Hall of Fame trainer, discussing his previous Derby winners and the chances of his horse, Bold Ruler (a Racing Hall of Fame horse), in "tomorrow's" race (May 4, 1957). Mr. Fitz was the trainer of 13 Horse Racing Triple Crown winners during his career. The next scene includes an interview with John A. Nerud, Hall of Fame trainer, discussing the chances of his horse, Gallant Man (a Racing Hall of Fame horse). This was John Nerud's first Kentucky Derby. Gallant Man finished second when its jockey, Bill Shoemaker, misjudged the finish and stood up in the stirrups prematurely. The owner of Gallant Man was Ralph Lowe, evidenced by the blanket worn by Gallant Man. The film concludes with shots of horses exercising on the track, Churchill Downs betting windows, and cleanup of the grounds in preparation for race day.
Distributed by: Illinois Bell Telephone Company
Subjects: Horses; Racing; Sports
Places: North America > United States > Kentucky
Language: English
Cfa elements: Negatives, 291 feet
Cfa records: https://collections.chicagofilmarchives.org/Detail/objects/12196
Sources
- Chicago Film Archives · record ↗ — title, year, creator, length, format, color, sound, genre, description, credits, catalog record, video
Record added 2026-11-08 21:25:15