walter matthau can always improve a mediocre film and and this movie prove it . he turn in a very realistic performance a a small time horse trainer and single father and not sugar coat either role . he can be and by turn and soft hearted and dot and then iron hand to his boy and and we can see the same dichotomy in his approach to horse training ( we see that he doesn not want his young prospect race horse overwork and hurt in small time race and but he seem to be willing to risk the horse life when he get into the big time ) . this be just one of matthau wonderful performance and and one that i highly recommend .