2 comments about Go the Distance: The Complete Resource for Endurance Riders.

1. Written by a veterinarian, this book could be so techincal in nature that only another scientist or veterinarian would be able to comprehend everything. But it's not. This book is written in such a way as to make the information perfect accessible to anyone. Dr. Loving goes into appropriate detail about every aspect of endurance riding. Most importantly, she writes in such a clear and concise manner as to make even the more difficult subjects to comprehend, such as the finer points of conformation and the metabolic health of your horse. Well worth the money, this book goes into greater depth in the care of your horse, without confusing the reader. Photos throughout the pages, taken by the author, illustrate major points and drawings go into detail about the inner workings of your horse. If you are interested in starting endurance riding, or take it very seriously and want to do everything right ... either way, this book should be read and re-read as often as needed.



2. Dr Loving's book has long been a distance riders 'bible'. I have referred many to this book and have given as a gift to my riding friends. Dr. Loving's book is a complete resource guide for the distance rider from selection, nutrition, training and completing that distance ride. You will not go wrong following her suggestions for training guidelines. Whether your miles are 5, 10 or 100, the same principles apply. I highly recommened this book to everyone from casual trail riders to hard core endurance riders.

1 comments about The Basics of Winning Horseracing, Fifth Edition.

1. The book provides a great amount of beginner information, for someone who has no knowledge of horseracing. Not for the advanced horseplay.

No comments about Horses Talk: It Pays to Listen : The Paddock and Post Parade.

No comments about On Track/off Track: Playing the Horses in Troubled Times.

1 comments about 1,000 to 1!: Claiming, Breeding and Racing Thoroughbreds on a Shoestring-and Beating the Odds.

1. There is an adage in Thoroughbred racing that to become a millionaire in the sport, one must start out as a multi-millionaire. Simply, aim high and be prepared to lose serious cash while trying to hit the long homer with a special runner.
   
   Well, that scenario is not always the case. Though the book title is a bit sensational, author Malcolm Barr, Sr. provides advice for those wishing to get into the game, but have practical dreams to compete at the local track.
   
   The claiming route is the way that even some of the top owners initially started their stables. Claiming races are the mainstay at the tracks. They are races where any horse can be bought at a specific price, which may be a few thousand dollars or much higher, depending upon the quality of the event & racer.
   
   A claim form is filled out before the race and - no matter what happens in the race - the individual will be the new owner. If more than one document is turned in for a racer, track officials will hold a drawing to determine the winning claim tag.
   
   It is the easiest way to jump into the sport because the new owner now has a proven runner that can stay in training and race, instead of taking a young Thoroughbred and needing months or maybe years for the proper preparation to possibly get to the races.
   
   For example, champion dirt and turf racer Lava Man was claimed in 2004 by a new owner for $50,000 and has earned more than $4.6 million in purse winnings, the majority coming after the ownership change.
   
   Now that was a 1,000-to-1 claim, but Barr, Sr. describes how planning a budget and developing a good plan can put the odds in an owner's favor by claiming a racer or getting into the breeding side of the sport. The book is also interesting for fans who are seeking information about these important aspects of racing.
   
   The Thoroughbred is essentially a sports franchise that eats, trains and can get injured, oftentimes with severe consequences. And the track is a business that is sometimes unforgiving for even the best plan that is on paper.
   
   But if you want to get involved in the sport, why not be the one who will beat the odds?

4 comments about Betting the Kentucky Derby: How to Wager and Win on America's Biggest Horse Race.

1. I could have written this book in a half and hour ... and since you clicked on a horse racing book, so could you! Very, very, very basic stuff and I'm sure you already know almost all of it. I am a gigantic Daily Racing Form fan (the publication and some of their other books) so this isn't a smear review. Use that $10 or $15 you were considering on using for this book for your wagers at the track.



2. This book was a complete waste of money and time. It took about an hour to read and was almost all fluff. The author used plenty of statistical data but never explained how and why to use it. He left the interpretation of the data up to the reader. A typical example of this would be: "Look at all the Beyer figures below. Do you see a pattern?" Uh, no, not really. Every single chapter was like this. I bought this book in hopes of gleaning a little insight into the upcoming Derby. What a mistake that was. Save your time and money and don't make the same mistake I made. Pass on this one.



3. I picked this up to see if it had any different approaches to handicapping the Derby. The author seems genuine in wanting to help someone select a horse and make a wager on it. If you are looking for a basic book on handicapping the Derby, check it out.



4. Once again, new book with nothing new. Don't let the title fool you. This book does not tell you how to bet on the Derby. It simply rehashes old information. What a giant disappointment!

No comments about Run, Baby, Run: What Every Owner, Breeder & Handicapper Should Know About Lasix in Racehorses.

No comments about Horseracing and the British 1919-39 (Studies in Popular Culture).

1 comments about The Seabiscuit Story: From the Pages of the Nation's Most Prominent Racing Magazine.

1. This is a unique chronicle of Seabiscuit that was released in June 2003; the articles were originally published between 1935-1940 in The Blood-Horse magazine.
   
   Highlights include The Biscuit's first victory in a stakes race at age two and his coast-to-coast travels, which solidified his legendary status by taking on the best racers of the era at all the top tracks. Award-winning author John McEvoy provides commentary which provides a historical perspective to this amazing story.
   
   Rarely can a reader find such media coverage without doing research in a library or museum. This is a must for a fan of Seabiscuit or someone who has a real appreciation of American history.

3 comments about Breeders' Cup: Thoroughbred Racing's Championship Day.

1. I received my long-awaited copy of this book, and I must say I enjoy it very much. This is a coffee table book with numerous beautiful color photographs of the races from the Breeders' Cup inaugural (1984) to the present. The triumphs, the tragedies (for example, Go For Wand's breakdown and death in the 1990 Breeders' Cup Distaff), and the upsets (such as Arcangues' longshot win in the 1993 Classic) are beautifully chronicled in this book.

   The only thing preventing me from giving it five stars was that it was a little bit on the skimpy side with regard to the commentary. I always enjoy good commentary as well as beautiful pictures in any oversized book. It is still a worthwhile purchase, however.




2. This is a great book for any sports lover. The writer, Jay Privman, did a fabulous job telling the colorful stories of the Breeders' Cup( jockeys, trainers, breeders, owners, and horses...). The photograghs are beautiful and dramatic. A MUST HAVE BOOK!!!



3. Jay Privman, Breeders' Cup: Thoroughbred Racing's Championship Day (Triumph, 2000)
   
   Gorgeous photography is the focus of this monstrous coffee-table book; Jay Privman's commentary is interesting, but sometimes a minor drawback (there's some repetition, and a bit of fact-fudging when it comes to the infamous 1998 Breeders' Cup Classic, though Privman redeems himself somewhat when he at least refers to Frankie Deottri's ride on Swain as "ill-considered" when discussing Daylami). Few Breeders' Cup winners are not given at least some space, and a number of them are given multi-page spreads. If you're a Breeders' Cup fan, this one's a must. ****