Remembering the Derby [Hardcover]

Jim Bolus (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: March 31, 1994

"Followers of the Sport of Kings will find the book irresistible." -Publishers Weekly Jim Bolus's Kentucky Derby Stories was called "a Derby delight," "entertaining," and "a winner" by publications like Daily Racing Form, Lexington Herald-Leader, and the Detroit News. Now, Bolus, sportswriter and Derby historian, is back with another field of stories from the most-esteemed horse race in North America-Remembering the Derby. Included in this volume of his Derby moments are stories of trainers, runners, writers, winners, and losers. Bolus features chapters on his favorite race writers, Mike Barry and Joe Hirsch, who influenced his own craft and his love of the sport; and Bolus spends a few pages noting some of the best writers whose handicapping has paid off for many of their readers. This volume's cast of horses includes unforgettable legends like Northern Dancer and some less-memorable runners like Silky Sullivan, who deserves a second bow. Relying on his reportorial background, Bolus investigates the Derby with some enlightening offerings from the past. From the 1924 Derby, he recalls a controversial four-horse finish and how the true second-place finisher will never be known. Also in the list of stories is a compilation of tales from the saddle in which jockeys misgauged the distance to the finish-decisions that cost some the race and handed victory over to others. ABOUT THE AUTHOR The late Jim Bolus, who attended his thirty-seventh Kentucky Derby in 1996, hadn't missed the race in more than twenty years. Dubbed a Doctor of Derbyology by one newspaper reporter, Bolus also wrote Derby Dreams, Derby Fever, Kentucky Derby Stories, and Derby Magic, all published by Pelican.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

This collection of folksy articles by the author of Kentucky Derby Stories contains some new material and a few pieces reprinted from Bolus's column in the Daily Racing Form . He views the Derby as the most prestigious race in the world, which few would dispute, and he writes of the people who have helped give it such significance. Bolus covers trainers like Woody Stephens, owners like Elizabeth Arden and Fred Hooper, racing official Keene Daingerfield and writers like Joe Hirsch and the witty Mike Barry, who commented on a Derby entry, ``This horse needs only one thing--slower competition.'' The notable equines discussed include Sir Barton, the first triple Crown winner; Silky Sullivan, the most over-publicized loser in Derby history; Affirmed, whose battles with Alydar were the stuff of legend; Northern Dancer, the indefatigable stud. Followers of the Sport of Kings will find the book irresistible. Photos not seen by PW.

Copyright 1994 Cahners Business Information, Inc.

About the Author

The late Jim Bolus, who attended his thirtieth Kentucky Derby in 1996, hadn't missed the race in more than twenty years. Dubbed a "Doctor of Derbyology" by one newspaper reporter, Bolus also wrote Derby Fever, Remembering the Derby, Kentucky Derby Stories, and Derby Magic, all published by Pelican.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 256 pages
• Publisher: Pelican Publishing (March 31, 1994)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1565540409
• ISBN-13: 978-1565540408
• Product Dimensions: 8.7 x 5.8 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 15.8 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: #2,455,838 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #71 in Books > Travel > United States > States > Kentucky

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Rich in history..., May 22, 2000

By 

heidi thornton - See all my reviews

This review is from: Remembering the Derby (Hardcover)

This book explores the stories that come with a race as big as the Derby. The author writes of horses, people, and their experiences at the Derby; wether they won or not. A must for racing fans.

5.0 out of 5 stars Thoroughbred Lovers, this is for you!, September 25, 2007

By 

A. Wingfield (Durant, OK United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Remembering the Derby (Hardcover)

Jim Bolus offers yet another memorable book filled with vivid recollections and Derby stories. Highly recommend. You don't have to be a horse racing aficionado to enjoy this book, but Thoroughbred enthusiasts will find it of particular interest.

1 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Another Wonderful Book by the Late Jim Bolus, August 19, 2000

By 

Susan Nunes (Medford, OR United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Remembering the Derby (Hardcover)

REMEMBERING THE DERBY is the second book in the five-book series written by the late Jim Bolus, the man who knew all the stories and all the trivia of the great race. Like the other books, this is a must-have for racing fans.

Included in this volume is a chapter on Flip Sal, a horse who was injured in the centennial running of the Derby in 1974, another on Sir Barton, the first Triple Winner, one on Northern Dancer (1964), a chapter on the 1957 Kentucky Derby in which Bill Shoemaker misjudged the finish line, and who could forget to read about Silky Sullivan?

Your racing library would be incomplete without the Bolus series.