The storied 40-day summer race meet at Saratoga Race Course in upstate New York is like nothing else in sports. Go behind the scenes and experience horse heaven through the eyes of the people who summer there in this feature video.
Credits:
Executive producer - Michael Madden
Directed and edited by - Samuel Centore
Produced by - Lynn McMartin and Gene Fischer
Director of Photography - Mika Altskan
Assistant camera - William Burris
Assistant editor - Matthew Campbell
Color by - Elias Nousiopoulos
Segue Instrumental Music - Daniel Lauricella and Nicholas Avella
Written and performed by - Danio Saratak and Nico
“The Wind” Performed by - Jeannie Blake, written by Jean Buechs
Michael Madden is the managing partner of BlackEagle Partners, a private equity firm with offices in New York, Florida, and Michigan. He has been a racing fan since he started going to Fort Erie Racetrack with his father at 10 years old. His passion for Thoroughbred racing has evolved over 40 years into ownership and breeding through Curragh Stables. A few years ago, Mike had the idea of making a film which would showcase his love for the game through the lens of the Saratoga Racecourse experience. In the film, he and his team have tried to capture not only the thrill of racing, but also the unique environment of Saratoga and the people who make things happen there.
Samuel Centore is an award-winning documentary filmmaker from Syracuse, N.Y. He currently works as a VFX producer and short form content creator based out of New York.
Lynn McMartin is a member of BlackEagle and Mike Madden’s partner. She is a human resource executive and has been a Thoroughbred racing fan for many years. Growing up in Vermont, Lynn has always been around horses and shares Mike’s passion for showcasing the Saratoga experience in the film “40 Days in Saratoga.”
Mika Altskan is a director of photography based in Brooklyn, N.Y., shooting independent feature films, shorts, documentaries, and commercials.