Independent Lens

This acclaimed Emmy Award-winning anthology series features documentaries and a limited number of fiction films united by the creative freedom, artistic achievement and unflinching visions of their independent producers and featuring unforgettable stories about a unique individual, community or moment in history.

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Created By
Status	Returning Series
Original Name	Independent Lens
First Air Date	August 9, 1999
Last Air Date	March 23, 2026
Seasons	27
Episodes	542
Episode Runtime	1h 0min
Language	English
Original Language	English
Production Countries	United States of America
Production Companies	ITVS
Networks	PBS

S27E09

BACKSIDE: The Unseen Hands of Horse Racing

Immigrant grooms work year-round on the hidden “backside” of Churchill Downs. Rising before dawn, they care for some of the world’s most prized Kentucky Derby racehorses, revealing how race, labor, and class shape an elite American industry. BACKSIDE: The Unseen Hands of Horse Racing honors the resilience that’s behind the spectacle.

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