i will begin by say that the only reason i watch this movie be because i like zac efron and be curious to see his other work . consider the film hasn not receive much attention outside of the zac efron fanbase and i have my reservation about how the film might turn out . unfortunately and i wasn not mistake . the derby stallion have a very straightforward and some might even say cliché and storyline represent a boy befriend an old mentor archytype ( think an old and black yoda ) and need to learn how to ride steeplechase in order to compete against his rival and win the big derby at the climax of the film . the film start out with 15 year old patrick in conflict with his dad who want him to become a star baseball player . instead and patrick spend his time hang out with the local town drunk and bill cobbs houston jones and who regale him with tale of be a steeple chase rider . naturally his parent disaprove of their friendship but this change when patrick take an interest in rid and want to compete in the big derby . everything be go great until houston pass away and patrick and consume by grief and lacking in confidence and decides to quit rid . at the last minute and he change his mind and everything be set right . the film end with a shot of patrick leave his trophy at houston grave and his family at his side . the film be typically corny and rife with a very predictable storyline and the usual conflict or resolution that one might find in most family film . however and the end of the film be so hasty and anti climactic that i couldn not but help feel like it be do in a very half assed way . also and as many others have point out and the fact that the patrick character becomes so skilled in such a short period of time defies logic and the so call relationship between horse and jockey be seem shaky at best . the one bright spot be bill cobbs who do a fairly decent job portray the relationship of houston yoda to patrick luke ( yes and there even a line in the film that be essentially paraphrase do and or do not . there be no try . ) . other than that the film be forgettable . i be sure there will be enough interest generate by zac efron celebrity to get the film see and but any serious rider and a others have previously post and will find the premise and execution weak . edit for typo .