Baffert offers a frank-and frankly funny-portrayal of his border town roots and rapid rise to the top of the Sport of Kings. A riveting and revealing tale of what it takes to become America's No. 1 trainer.
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Editorial Reviews
Review
BAFFERT'S NEXT WINNER - Trainer's autobiography is full of laughs and lessons There were many times throughout "Dirt Road to the Derby" that I laughed out loud and had to muffle my enthusiasm, lest the person who saw me reading it in my car and in other public places thought I was a candidate for the insane asylum. Rarely, if ever, has a book so tickled my funny bone.
"Dirt Road to the Derby" is a delightful cross between a (Johnny) Carson monologue and a more traditional racing autobiography. While the laughs are plentiful, there is also much to learn from Baffert's incredible success.The importance of a strong family, his own desire for success and perseverance in achieving his goals, an enduring and supporting friendship with Mike Pegram, owner of Real Quiet and super filly Silverbulletday, and a quick wit and availability to the press all helped build Baffert into the national sports celebrity he is today. -- The Trentonian, October 21,1999
The irreverent silver-haired Baffert traces his colorful and eventful rise from the Quarter Horse tracks of his native southwest to the winner's circles at Churchill Downs and Dubai. "Baffert" is lively, refreshing and informative: a thoroughly good read. We recommend it. -- Daily Racing Form, October 22, 1999
What separates this from the majority of sports autobiographies is Baffert's willingness to acknowledge the bumps he created himself in the road to success. He writes about his experiences with drugs in high school. He is candid about an early mistake in his training career when he allowed a man he ``barely knew'' to give one of his horses some ``stuff'' to help win the race. The horse didn't, but Baffert was caught and suspended for a year in California. When Baffert does criticize others, he has credence because he has built a glass house around himself.
This book comes alive when Baffert is doing what he does best aside from training: telling stories. There has been a steady stream of Runyonesque characters in his career, and he seems to remember them all.
The book doesn't give away any of Baffert's trade secrets, but it offers plenty of insight into the racing game to make it revealing for most fans. For those who don't follow the sport but enjoy reading about successful people, there is worthy material as well. -- Kenny Rice, The Lexington Herald-Leader, Dec. 5, 1999
From the Inside Flap
Winning the Kentucky Derby two years in a row has made Bob Baffert the most visible trainer in America. His wit and silver-haired good looks have made him the most popular. Luck and charm have played a role in Baffert's meteoric rise to the top. But he also is acknowledged as a consummate horseman.
In his candid and often hilarious autobiography, "Dirt Road to the Derby", Baffert recounts growing up in a tiny Arizona border town, where he peddled eggs after school and started riding his families Quarter Horses. His early exploits as a jockey provide a fascinating glimpse of racing at the "bush tracks" of the Southwest, complete with shoot-outs and rigged races. After college and a fitful start as a Quarter Horse trainer, Baffert finally hits the big time in that sport.
But his real adventures begin when he strikes up a friendship with Mike Pegram, who bankrolled his entry into Thoroughbred racing. After losing the 1996 Kentucky Derby by a whisker, Baffert vows to return. The very next year, he achieves celebrity when he wins the Run for the Roses with the modestly bred Silver Charm. In 1998, he does it again with Real Quiet, who cost him just $17,000.
The Charm and a cast of other good horses take Baffert to the peak of his profession. He is in demand as a trainer by the richest and most influential people in racing. "Although I always wanted to be the best, I never dreamed of getting to where I am now," he writes. "I was just some kid from Arizona who couldn't even put a halter on a horse. To dream of attaining what I have would be like someone dreaming of becoming president."
Despite his success, which includes winning two Eclipse Awards as outstanding trainer, Baffert retains his sense of humor and fun-loving ways. "Dirt Road to the Derby" will make you laugh out loud. Hold on to your hat and enjoy the ride.
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
A Book For Thoroughbred People,
By
This review is from: Baffert Dirt Road to the Derby (Hardcover)
Just finished Baffert: Dirt Road to the Derby. If you like Bob Baffert you will enjoy this book. If you are in love with thoroughbred racing you will enjoy this book. Steve Haskin writes awesome articles for The Blood-Horse. I think he is the best turf writer alive today. I would never have guessed that he had anything to do with this book. There isn't any Steve Haskin in this book and that may be good because that means this book is Bob Baffert. Also it isn't written like most biographies I have read. It rambles back and forth in Bob's life with interesting recollections that may not be interesting to a person not into thoroughbred horse racing.
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
ordinary guy,
By Lenny Griffiths (Greensburg, Ky United States) - See all my reviews
This review is from: Baffert Dirt Road to the Derby (Hardcover)
This book was enjoyable to read. I liked learning about the ordinarily extraordinary life and times of Bob Baffert. It's a book full of experiences and some tips to learn from.
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
A Real Charmer,
By Miss Fiona Tomlin (Australia) - See all my reviews
This review is from: Baffert Dirt Road to the Derby (Hardcover)
The exploits of Bob Baffert will leave any genuine racing fan laughing. I'm an Australian horse racing fan and I loved this book! Didn't stop giggling the entire way through and couldn't help but read aloud passage after passage to my partner (much to his chagrin). This condensed version of Bob Baffert's life up to (and past) the Derby isn't earth-shattering, content-wise, but it is very entertaining.
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