false 2 114 111 true 6003748 read 3 true 2790078 currently-reading 0 true 2790077 to-read 69 false 2793994 horse-racing 27 false 3377621 history 11 false 3377612 economics-business http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/72782615 to: Virginia Horse Racing: Triumphs of the Turf (Paperback) by Virginia C. Johnson
bookshelves: horse-racing
]]> http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/65117706 to: The Training Game: An Inside Look at American Racing's Top Trainers (Hardcover) by Karen M. Johnson
bookshelves: horse-racing
The Training Game by Karen Johnson (daughter of Hall of Famer P.G. Johnson) claims to "pull back the curtain on the biggest and most successful training operations in racing today, revealing the stories and methods of the conditioners who coax greatness from unschooled and unproven young racehorses." The eight trainers profiled are Steve Asmussen , Rick Dutrow, Bobby Frankel, Neil Howard, Allen Jerkins, Carl Nafzger, Todd Pletcher, and Nick Zito. Unfortunately, the book had nothing insightful to say whatsoever about each trainer's methods. Instead their career was profiled with extended discussions of the major stakes winners and big wins. Absolutely nothing about training regimen, supplements (Gastroguard?), legal drugs administered (Clenbuterol?), the role of the vets, farriers, assistant trainers, grooms, workouts, etc. Instead it was filler - 8 pages, for example, of Street Sense's career with commentary from Carl Nafzger (no exciting or even new insights). The chapter on Todd Pletcher was the best with a discussion of workouts and the differences between training turf and dirt horses (2 pages). I'm still looking for the part of the book where "each trainer candidly reveals their systems and techniques."
]]> http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/68821403 to: Headless Horsemen: A Tale of Chemical Colts, Subprime Sales Agents, and the Last Kentucky Derby on Steroids (Hardcover) by Jim Squires
bookshelves: horse-racing
Headless Horsemen is a confusing jumbled rant written by an angry self-important breeder who, despite all of the success he's achieved with his small-time operation, feels abused. When he didn't receive bids in excess of $250k for Monarchos' full sister, it was because of back room deals (the filly made only one start and was sold three years later as a broodmare prospect for $290k - the buyers, not Squires, were the big losers). When his horses didn't meet their reserve prices, it was because of the stupidity of buyers scared off by "goddamn OCDs" or small shadows on an x-ray. He applauds those who push for increased transparency but then complains about $500 for x-rays for the repository as yearling sales. He takes a stance against drugs in racing and depicts Larry Jones as a saintly cowboy despite his use of Clenbuterol (just not within 96 hours of a race). Perhaps confused by his rage, Squires jumbles important dates like Monarchos' appearance in the sales ring at Saratoga (multiple times given as '96). There is little doubt in my mind that this book was hastily put together to make a quick buck to make up for recent lackluster yearling sales. The result is part angry screed and part mean spirited gossip. Squires might have a few good ideas for the sport but I couldn't figure out what they were and his book did little to convince me of anything but the fact that he is an ass.
]]> http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/70717721 The Undoing of Cowardice (Paperback) by Bill Feingold
bookshelves: currently-reading, economics-business
]]> http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/70368015 to: Home Game: An Accidental Guide to Fatherhood (Hardcover) by Michael Lewis
]]> http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/68821552 A History of the American People (Paperback) by Paul Bede Johnson
bookshelves: currently-reading, history
]]> http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/65117533 to: Outliers (Hardcover) by Malcolm Gladwell
bookshelves: economics-business
]]> http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/62655945 to: Tropical Downs: A Novel of Peril and Misadventure in Search of the Elusive Automatic Bet (Paperback) by Mark Cramer
bookshelves: horse-racing
]]> http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/55251149 to: Tried by War : Abraham Lincoln as Commander in Chief (Hardcover) by James M. McPherson
bookshelves: history
]]> http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/55251311 The first century: Daily racing form chronicles 100 years of thoroughbred racing (Unknown Binding) by Joe Hirsch
bookshelves: currently-reading, horse-racing
]]>