By David J. Griffin, Times Reporter

A Walt Disney film titled Secretariat is currently in production and is scheduled to be released in 2010. Diane Lane will star as Secretariat’s owner, Penny Chenery. The movie reportedly will focus on her humble beginnings in Virginia to her rise as the “first lady” of horseracing. 

Twenty-six year old Amanda Madden of Clay City will have a small speaking part in the up-coming movie. “I will be filmed at Churchill Downs on Oct. 7, and will have a speaking role in the movie,” she explained. 

Amanda spent most of her time in Powell County with her grandmother, Virginia Madden of Clay City. She is the daughter of Robert and Lawanna Daugherty, who reside in Bath County. She graduated from Bath County High School in 2002. 

When asked how she was able to land the movie role, she said, “I have been modeling for 26 years and have been in pageants all of my life.” She has turned down offers to be in a couple of movies before. “This one I just had to accept,” she said. 

The period film will concentrate on the life of Secretariat and his unusual racing ability. In 1973, he became the first U.S. Triple Crown champion in twenty-five years, setting new race records in two of the three events. Those were set at the Kentucky Derby, and the Belmont Stakes and the records still stand today. 

Amanda will be filmed wearing a hat from that time. “My aunt Evelyn Neely found a hat for me that was actually worn at Churchill Downs when Secretariat won the Kentucky Derby,” she said. 

Amanda plans to attend EKU in January and will major in drama.