Ten Best Kentucky Derbies [Hardcover]

The Staff and Correspondents of the Blood-Horse (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: April 1, 2005

With 129 runnings to choose from, these and five other Kentucky Derbys made the cut as the all-time greatest as complied by a panel of horse racing experts.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Out of the thrilling victories and agonizing defeats of over 100 Derby races, the editors of the Blood-Horse magazine, the weekly horse-racing publication, have selected what they believe are the 10 best, a loose measure that runs the gamut from Cinderella stories to spectacular, controversial home stretch runs or dazzling feats. For example, they tell how, in 1973, Secretariat, who had been winning easily all year, stumbled in the pre-Derby Wood Memorial. Even though he entered the Derby as the favorite, some doubted he could overcome his previous loss. Yet Secretariat won the Derby easily, posting the fastest time ever in the race with a remarkable 1:59 2/5. Then there's the tale of how, in 1971, a horse with a crooked leg, Canonero II, came from 20 lengths behind to win the roses and make Derby history. Other Derbies, such as the 1978 race between Affirmed and Alydar, featured close contests between two fast rivals. While the prose of some stories shivers with excitement, most of the writing tediously announces the races. The editors never explicitly indicate why these 10 races should be considered the "best" Kentucky Derbies, making this book more like a random collection of popular favorites. (Apr.)
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

From the Publisher

What makes a Kentucky Derby among the best of all time? Secretariat’s record-setting effort? Regret’s achievement as the first filly to win the vaunted classic, or legendary jockey Bill Shoemaker’s misjudgment of the finish line that cost his horse the race? And what about the famous "Fighting Finish" or Black Gold’s "dream-come-true" victory?

The eagerly anticipated showdowns between Affirmed and Alydar and between Citation and Coaltown made those respective Derbies unforgettable to those who were around to experience them. And who could discount the near-disastrous stumble by Alysheba and his remarkable recovery?

With 130 runnings to choose from, a panel of racing experts selected these Kentucky Derbies as the all-time greatest, most exciting, and riveting first Saturdays in May. These stories, recounted by a diverse and talented group of Turf writers, await the reader, along with a kaleidoscope of vibrant images only the Kentucky Derby can produce.

The 10 Best Kentucky Derbies contains the individual race charts and photos from each race, including rare and seldom-seen images.

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 200 pages
• Publisher: Eclipse Press (April 1, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1581501188
• ISBN-13: 978-1581501186
• Product Dimensions: 9.3 x 6.2 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 14.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,644,878 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Derby Day Glory Renewed, October 14, 2005

By 

Secretariatgal (Brookville, Ohio, USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Ten Best Kentucky Derbies (Hardcover)

Of course, the people who have lived through the experience of triumph in the kentucky derby say that it cannot simply be described in words. But this book comes awfully close. Panelists of The Blood-Horse were polled to see which Derby was the most memorable. Of course, it is true with what D. Wayne Lukas said in the forward, "They're all special." But the panelists picked their top ten: Secretariat, and who wouldn't pick him? He was a superhorse that finished the derby in under two minutes! What a freak! Canonero the second, now this was a story I did not know of, but this one about the venuezuelan horse that won the derby and preakness at impeccible odds deserves a novel of it's own. Iron Leige's derby triumph was pretty ironic, what with the fact that Shoemaker, on Gallant Man, was warned not to stand up in his stirrups during the race and that is exactly what happened! Affirmed and Alydar, of course, carry a rivalry that goes unmatched. Citation, the Calumet iron horse, was a magnificent freak of nature, always fun to read that story. Brokers Tip, Black Gold and Regret, stories of derbies long in the past, were fascinating for their way of bringing history back to you in such a vivid way. Alysheba's incredible journey around the turn was enough to start off a remarkable career. and last but not least, Calumet's other triple crown star, Whirlaway. All of them bring back the days of wine and roses, on one of the most historic days that has been celebrated over 100 years. It is impossible to pick the best Kentucky Derby, but these 10 are just enough to get you in high Derby spirits.

5.0 out of 5 stars Ten Best Kentucky Derbies, January 15, 2012

By 

Claire Duprey "Classic Movies" (Mount Dora, FL USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

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This review is from: Ten Best Kentucky Derbies (Hardcover)

This another one of three books that my friend requested for Christmas. Any Book on Kentucky Derbies or individual Derby Winners that she requests as a gift, I can always find on Amazon. She doesn't have to tell me to look on Amazon to find it because I know that it will be there.

5.0 out of 5 stars Ten Great Performances, Ten Outstanding Stories, August 3, 2008

By 

Bicycle Day - See all my reviews
(TOP 1000 REVIEWER)   

This review is from: Ten Best Kentucky Derbies (Hardcover)

While the sports marketplace is littered with books which judge performers and performances, this compilation from the staff and correspondents of The Blood-Horse magazine is unique; it started as a cornerstone story in a special edition of the publication in 2000.

Through expanded commentary, classic photographs and result charts, the vivid stories of the legends like Secretariat and Citation, the forgotten champs - Black Gold, Brokers Tip - and amazing victories of Canonero II and Alysheba are chronicled in a way that the most hardened railbird or casual fan can appreciate.

And like a past performance chart on a rain-soaked afternoon, the rankings can be tossed aside, as each story stands alone as fascinating tributes to the equine athletes, jockeys, owners and breeders.

As much as a reference guide as wonderful history, it is an outstanding example of making a winner out of an oftentimes stale means of judging sports history.