THE BEST and Worst of Thoroughbred Racing [Hardcover]

Steve Davidowitz (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: December 1, 2006

The Best and Worst of Thoroughbred Racing is a fascinating listing of the history of horseracing's most memorable moments. Every aspect of the game is covered in this unique collection. Whether it's legendary handicapper Pittsburgh Phil, top sire Storm Cat, or the renowned 1978 Belmont Stakes with Alydar and Affirmed the racing aficionado will have hundreds of entertaining racing data and anecdotes at his or her fingertips to feast upon.

Editorial Reviews

From the Publisher

Who are the best horses, jockeys, trainers and horseplayers of modern times? What were the sport's biggest mistakes, most shocking upsets and most important handicapping contributions? Author Steve Davidowitz, who has seen and known them all, answers these provocative questions and hundreds more, but that's just the beginning of the opinions and observations in The Best and Worst of Thoroughbred Racing

From the Back Cover

PRAISE FOR THE BEST AND WORST OF THOROUGHBRED RACING

"Who's the best trainer of modern times? The fastest sprinters? The best jockey? After four decades as an astute handicapper and journalist, Steve Davidowitz has an answer to all of these questions--and many more. The Best and Worst of Thoroughbred Racing is surely to provoke lively debate among racing fans everywhere." Andrew Beyer Washington Post columnist

"I gotta book right here... As if horseplayers didn't have enough to argue about every day at the track, now comes along Steve Davidowitz with the champion argument-starter of all time. He gives us a book full of facts and opinions and full of run." Frank Deford Sports Illustrated

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 324 pages
• Publisher: Daily Racing Form (December 1, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1932910883
• ISBN-13: 978-1932910889
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 6.4 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.4 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (16 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #499,882 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

25 of 25 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great from cover to cover, February 11, 2007

By 

Elizabeth A. Koch "Beth" (North Las Vegas, NV USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: THE BEST and Worst of Thoroughbred Racing (Hardcover)

I enjoyed "The Best and Worst of Thoroughbred Racing" enormously. I disagreed with some of the author's choices (which is to be expected for any list-type book) but that's the fun - it will definitely spark a good debate. Steve Davidowitz doesn't pull any punches when he's critical of something, either. I think even the most casual racing fan would enjoy this book - it's a great read cover-to-cover, but it's also the kind of book you can pick up and grab little bites of.

There are loads of interesting stories: how some aspects of the heroic struggle to save Barbaro were built on knowledge gained from the tragedy of Ruffian back in 1975; the highs and lows of Sunny's Halo; and the iron will of Personal Ensign. I loved the author's story about Ruffian in the 1974 Spinaway at Saratoga - Davidowitz watched her act like a "nut case" all the way to the gate, and he thought "Ruffian - what a phony!" and bet a lot of money on the horse who eventually finished second to her - by 12-3/4 lengths!

Of course, you'll read about the big names: Laffit Pincay Jr, Jerry Bailey, Secretariat, Seattle Slew, Native Dancer, and even Barbaro - but perhaps the most fun were the sections entitled "Before My Time", "Best Rivalries" and even "The Biggest Dud At Stud". At the end of the book, the author closes with a section called "Ideas and Issues" which contains some real thought-provoking topics such as drugs and the fragility of the modern Thoroughbred.

I highly recommend this extremely interesting and well-written book.

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Well written, well informed, captivating!, March 16, 2007

By 

Karen Svea Johnson (Boise, Idaho) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: THE BEST and Worst of Thoroughbred Racing (Hardcover)

If you're the type of reader that loves a personal approach to rigorous analysis, you'll want to read The Best and Worst of Thoroughbred Racing, by Steve Davidowitz. I reviewed the volume for The Racing Journal [...], and enjoyed the assignment immensely!

Davidowitz backs up his opinions with the experience of more than three decades of professional handicapping, race reporting and editing, and equine consulting. The author of Betting Thoroughbreds and former editor of The American Racing Manual brings his personal experience and broad research background to this 300-plus page exposition.

The first chapter grabs your attention right away - and might provoke an argument or two among race fans. "Stunners: The Greatest Upsets and worst DQs of Modern Times" counts down from number 10 to number one, entitled "THE GREATEST UPSET OF MEDERN TIMES: The least-appreciated, most astounding upset of them all." His headings aren't usually that long and adamant, so you know you'd better hunker down and pay attention for the next eight pages of explanation and storytelling...

Davidowitz doesn't apply a strict formula to his listings. Some reveal the top -or bottom - 10 events or individuals. Some are limited to three, others run to a dozen or more. The final chapter, "The Very Best of All Time of Any Age or Sex," is a relatively unadorned list of 20.

Now, I'm not going to ruin the fun by revealing any of Davidowitz's picks. Find a volume for yourself, pencil notes in the margins, and share his opinions - and your own - with other friends who are racing fans!

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A New Addition to the Horseplayer's Canon, January 23, 2007

By 

Bill Feingold "Bill Feingold" - See all my reviews

This review is from: THE BEST and Worst of Thoroughbred Racing (Hardcover)

Steve Davidowitz has written a highly personal and thoroughly enjoyable recap of his life as a racing fan and writer. The book, fortunately, is 90% about the best and 10% about the worst, although Davidowitz doesn't pull punches in the spots where he is critical.

There are several unique stories--my favorites had to do with jockey Steve Cauthen and "supertrainer" Oscar Barrera--that by themselves were worth the price of the book. Reading this book is like talking horses with a great new friend.

As you read the book, you'll doubtless disagree with some of Davidowitz' rankings, but that's the whole idea. The book will make a particularly good companion on a flight to see a special racing event.