Casey's Shadow is a 1978 Metrocolor sports drama film directed by Martin Ritt and starring Walter Matthau.

[2] The film is based on an article in The New Yorker by John McPhee ("Ruidoso", published April 29, 1974).

Down-on-his-luck Louisiana horse trainer Lloyd Bourdelle dreams of winning the All American Futurity at Ruidoso Downs, New Mexico.

Calvin is angry and threatens to take his horses out of Lloyd's barn until it is revealed that the mare is in foal to a stallion called Sure Hit.

A woman named Sarah Blue offers Lloyd a large sum of money for the colt.

The option money gives the Bourdelles the funds to enter the colt in the race, so they take the horse to the local track to gallop him.

Mr. Marsh realizes that Shadow can beat his horse and puts poison in the food bucket.