The Film ‘Sweetwater’ Debuts At Wyoming Film Festival

The story follows characters whose lives intersect during seven weeks of horse racing in Wyoming. The film is set and was filmed at Sweetwater Downs in Rock Springs, WY, and is premiering at the Wyoming International Film Festival. 

The film, titled Sweetwater, was produced by Modoc Stories and shot on location in Rock Springs. Sweetwater explores the struggles and triumphs of individuals striving to become their best selves while pursuing ambitious dreams with long odds. Featuring jockeys Ainslin Finn, Shaundra Larsen, Jesus Valenzuela, and track announcer A.P. Harreld, the documentary captures their personal and professional journeys in a sport as unforgiving as it is exhilarating.

Executive Producer Eugene Joyce has this to say about the movie.

Sweetwater is a moving story of grit, community and ambition set against the wild and rugged Wyoming landscape.

Horse racing is filled with big personalities and even bigger stakes. This documentary tells the straight story of the perseverance and toughness needed to be a player in the sport.

I am proud to share the legacy of horse racing with this film. I also hope to honor the people who pour all they have into the sport season after season right here in Wyoming.”

The film builds on Eugene Joyce's family's horse-racing legacy in Wyoming.

Joyce’s family owned the horse track in Evanston from 1989-1998. He is also credited as a driving force behind the 2013 legislation allowing historic horse race wagering. In December of 2021, Joyce sold Wyoming Horse Racing to Pacesetter Racing & Gaming, owned by industry stalwarts Nick Hughes, Pete Liguori and John Sheldon. Joyce remains involved in Wyoming Horse Racing operations as director of live racing. As the founder of Historical Horse Racing terminals in Wyoming, WHR has played a major role in growing the state’s horse industry and generating meaningful contributions to state tax revenues. With a strong commitment to responsible growth, the company continues to invest in Wyoming’s hospitality and agribusiness sectors while championing the future of horse racing in the state.

Sweetwater will be featured at the Wyoming International Film Festival on July 10, 2025, at 3:25 p.m. The showing will take place at Laramie County Community College, 1400 E. College Dr., Cheyenne, WY.

Tickets for the screening are available at the Wyoming International Film Festival website, wyoiff.com, as part of the festival’s official lineup.