Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #1431945 in Books
• Published on: 2003-03-13
• Original language: English
• Dimensions: .84" h x 5.47" w x 8.26" l, .82 pounds
• Binding: Paperback
• 320 pages

From Library Journal
On Saturday, May 5, 2001, the steel-gray colt Monarchos won the Kentucky Derby for owner John Oxley, trainer John Ward, and jockey Jorge Chavez. It was a life-altering moment for breeder Squires, who narrates his five years or so of adventures at Two Bucks Farms prior to the 2001 Derby and his growing obsession with his first real Derby chance, the offspring of his mare Regal Band. Though the winner is known from the outset, Squires weaves a spellbinding tale of millionaire owners, trainers, and auction houses. He looks critically at all involved, including himself, with a good eye, a broad sense of humor, and sharp wit. It is a journey of great frustration, doubt, hope, and, more than anything, enormous good luck when a Derby prospect can be noticed, trained appropriately, and prevented from career-ending injury. Horse folks will love this, but they may need patience getting used to Squires's voice. The content from both producers looks and sounds identical. Recommended.
Cliff Glaviano, Bowling Green State Univ. Libs., OH
Copyright 2002 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From AudioFile
After losing his job as the editor of the Chicago Tribune, Jim Squires turns his successful sideline of raising horses into a full-time enterprise. At first, the reading reminds us that author/editor Squires is not a professional audiobook performer. He sounds uneasy; the way a nonactor does when confronted with lines. Yet, as he relaxes into this fascinating, entertaining look at thoroughbreds and the singular folk involved in horse breeding and racing, his natural enthusiasm connects. With great good humor, Squires describes disappointing horse auctions, careful breeding practices, those afflicted with "the dreaded social disease, Derby Fever,'" and the business of raising Monarchos, a Kentucky Derby hopeful. Finally, we experience with Squires his unbridled delight when the gray colt wins "the most exciting two minutes in sports." S.J.H. © AudioFile 2002, Portland, Maine-- Copyright © AudioFile, Portland, Maine

From Booklist
After a career in journalism that ended with his dismissal as the editor of the Chicago Tribune, Squires and his wife, known here as "the dominant female," decided to indulge their passion. They sunk their savings into a thoroughbred farm in Kentucky's bluegrass country and set out to breed good horses, thereby becoming among the biggest risk takers in a gambling game. For Squires, the risk was rewarded when he mated a modest mare with an unproven stallion and came up with Monarchos, the hero of last year's Kentucky Derby. Mixing the pride of a parent with a self-deprecating humor, Squires makes Monarchos' dramatic ascent to the pinnacle of his sport a ride we can share, just as he did. It's a ride most racing fans won't want to miss. Dennis Dodge
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved