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Brad and John Hennegan, two filmmakers from Long Island, understood this sentiment when they decided to create their behind-the-scenes documentary about the road to the Kentucky Derby, "The First Saturday in May."

"We knew what people would think, and we didn't make some boring, talking-head documentary," said John, a Brooklyn resident. "My brother Brad and I are fans of film, so we set out to create a fun, entertaining movie that people would actually want to see."

Their goal has been accomplished according to Sports Illustrated, Washington Post, New York Post and Newsday, which all gave "The First Saturday in May" their endorsement. The film, which opens nationwide on April 18, was also accepted into the Tribeca Film Festival and honored as the Best Documentary at the Savannah Film Festival. It also took home the Special Jury Award at the Austin Film Festival.

"Gary Stevens, who won the Kentucky Derby twice, was in the movie 'Seabiscuit'," said Brad. "He's now an analyst for horse racing ... and he admitted that the movie had him laughing, and also had him crying. That's the range. He called it the best behind-the-scenes documentary he's seen. For a guy like him, who lived the dream and won two Derbys, to say that, it was a really cool thing to hear."

To achieve such crucial acclaim, Brad and John had to concoct a formula to remove the spell of skepticism from potential viewers.

"We made it a movie about people, and it just happens to be set at the racetrack," John said. "We made it for non-horse racing fans in mind; it's an entertaining film that educates as well entertains. For one reason or another, some people are intimidated by horse racing, and there is really no reason to be. Brad and I call it the coolest sport you're not paying attention to."

Adopting a favorable position towards horse racing -- or at the very least, the Hennegans' film -- won't take a historical review of the sport's colorful past; it takes about two minutes to simply view the movie trailer.

"We can't stress enough that people should watch the trailer," Brad noted. "It lets people know that the stories in the movie are about people trying to be the best at their sport and strive to make it to the Kentucky Derby. It's important for people to watch the trailer because that gives a good feel for what the movie is really about."

The brief preview demonstrates the array of environments and emotions horse racing at that caliber breeds: excitement, anxiety, uncertainty, triumphs, shortcomings, and of course, the quest for money and recognition. It's not only about having the opportunity to make the Kentucky Derby; it's about the way a sport can transform into a lifestyle.

"These [trainers] get no offseason; they're on all the time and don't stop working to get to the Derby," noted Brad. "They don't get to head down to Florida for golf a few months a year. That energy they have is nonstop."

John added, "You get to race a mile-and-a-quarter on the first Saturday in May and that's it, one shot. There's no 'Memphis can win it next year' for the horses."

The liveliness of the characters is also preserved and accentuated through another gem within the movie: the musical score. The variety and detail put into the music arrangement corresponds blisteringly well with the action on screen. The intangible essence of mood displayed throughout the film -- from lighthearted silliness to utter heartbreak -- is captured flawlessly.

"We tried to come up with a musical pallet for each character," said Brad. "The music really adds a lot and makes some of the races more intense."

Billy and Brendan Ryan, whom the Hennegans knew from Huntington, N.Y., were responsible for arranging the music.

"The Ryan brothers recently did the Farrelly Brothers comedy, 'The Heartbreak Kid' starring Ben Stiller, and were also members of the band, The Bogmen," said Brad.

The Ryan brothers are also collaborating on an upcoming project with Gordan Gano of the alternative rock band, The Violent Femmes. Gano also contributed to "The First Saturday in May" by providing vocals for Steven Foster's "My Old Kentucky Home," which is heard a few times throughout the piece.

For someone with limited exposure to horse racing, it is a pleasant surprise that "The First Saturday in May" was not one dimensional in any aspect. There's truly something for everyone from all age groups to enjoy in its quick, 96-minute runtime. Besides being a quick and pleasurable watch, there's another important reason to hit the theater the weekend of April 18:

"We're taking 25 percent off the box office on opening weekend and donating it to the Grayson-Jockey Club Research Foundation," John revealed.

The foundation is a nonprofit organization dedicated to advancing research to help maintain the wellness and enhancement of horses of all breeds. Donating proceeds, especially at that percentage, isn't exactly the norm in Hollywood or for other Indie projects, but the Hennegans wanted to give something back.

"We come from the racetrack; our father worked there for 37 years, our grandfather worked there and my brother and I worked there growing up and in college," said Brad. "After seeing the injury to Barbaro and the money and awareness that was raised, we felt there could be no better fit to his legacy than to donate what will come to about two dollars and fifty cents of each ticket in New York. The hope is that from his tragedy, something good can come of it."

The next obstacle for the Hennegans will be to get people away from their TV sets and into the theater. With studio-backed blockbusters like "Indiana Jones" and "Iron Man" that seem to have ads popping up on everything from pencil sharpeners to billboards, the Long Island duo will have to rely on the same old-school grassroots marketing that's served them well thus far in order to compete.

"We don't have the dollars to buy commercials or rent posters on the sides of buses," admitted John. "But we're hoping that people that want to see a good film get a little education in the process, and who want to donate to a good cause will make it out to the theater for opening weekend."

The Hennegans Brothers' first film is racing to the finish line in order to tell a unique and emotional story, and viewers who have been supporting the movie all agree it is right on track.