Racing Reviews

Ainslie writes with wit, grace, clarity, and conviction. That he is the acknowledged master of handicapping theory in his generation is also significant. His gentle humor and dignity is unmatched in today's handicapping writers. If you are new to horse racing and paramutuel betting, you can do no better than starting with the best.

Ray Dokes has just returned from two years in prison, and is trying to stay out of trouble. He finds some work as a roofer, bunks with his old friend and mentor, Pete Culpepper, tries to patch things up with his old flame, Etta. The scene is a rural community in decline, a community of failing farms and horse-racing, dominated by Stanton Stables. And the heir to Stanton Stables is Sonny, a man of greed and entitlement and a bullying temperament, who is Ray Dokes' nemesis.

There is no finely crafted plot here. The characters try to survive and get ahead, engage in harebrained schemes, drink far too much, do some really bad things, and plot against Sonny. So what will happen? Will Sonny get what he so richly deserves? Will Etta lose her farm to the Stanton Empire? Will Ray go back to prison? You will have to read the book to find out. The beauty of this novel is in the characters. Canadian author Brad Smith is a genius at characterization. He creates a whole community of flawed but real people-losers, down-and-outers, and survivors-and one great villain-out of simple materials-gestures, turns of speech, and-most of all-hats. Horses, too, every one of them a real personage. Every one of these characters becomes real, complex and likeable in spite of their shortcomings. Even Sonny gets a little sympathy, but not much.

The bleak atmosphere of a declining farm community is beautifully evoked. The sadness of broken relationships and lost opportunities is deeply moving. Yet life goes on, somehow, and no one can say what the future will bring. All Hat is a must read. I cannot recommend it too highly. Reveiwed by Louis N. Gruber.

Shaw has done it again! David captures the personalities of the men who designed, built and raced America. This isn't a story about the most famous Yacht race the United States ever participated in, it's a story about the human spirit, and nerves men had years ago to cross oceans and take on all comers. you think the race started in England, think again. As pilot captains these men knew how to race to earn a living; it was their way of life. Read no more of this review. Purchase the book and read a fascinating account of what became the greates sailing race of all time. You'll be surprised where America ultimately met her fate.

In American Classic Pedigrees (1914-2002), thoroughbred racing expert Avalyn Hunter informatively examines the pedigrees of the winners of the five American Classic horse races of the twentieth century: The Kentucky Derby, Preakness Stakes, Belmont Stakes, Kentucky Oaks, and Coaching Club American Oaks. Closely studying the evolution of the breeding horses to be racing champions; the degree of inbreeding among race winners; and presenting an exciting history of the races themselves, American Classic Pedigrees (1914-2002) is enthusiastically recommended reading for professionals as well as non-specialist general readers with an interest in the lineage of championship race horses.

'American Racer' by Steven Wright is the most comprehensive and thorough book about motorcycle racing available.The text is accurate and very educated. The photographs are both stunning and rare. We had to recently replace our copy (due to mindless lending!) and we searched relentlessly until we found a way to order this book. It is well worth it, especially if you or someone you care about loves American Motorcycles as much as Steven Wright!

Where can I find the pictures from the book ONLINE? Please be helpful

..pacing, time, and distance. I focus on the starter, centered on his moves, I open the throttle..full. My motor launches, as from a catapult, almost ripping loose from my hold. My timing is of the essence, I see it, a flash from the starters gun, perfect timing. Cutting a hole through the pack of my competitors we have the lead. Full open throttle, and our speed is still increasing. We climb the boards, centrifical force pushing, I use the 62% banking as ammo, in my fight against force, and speed. Wreck ahead, I see both riders going down. Their machines wobble, ones going over the top, the other hits the boards hard. Splinters are flying, I partially close the throttle, and pick my path to avoid hitting downed riders, debris, and the broke-up motorcycle. Having no brakes, transmission, or other means of slowing down quickly I jockey clear of all...

To me, reading this book is like transporting in time. I become there. The year, 1912. The track, St.Louis, Missouri. The sport; Board track racing. Motorcycle racing, performed on tracks of wood. From 1/16mile in length, to 2 miles. Speeds reached in 1912? Lee Humiston, on Dec.30, 1912, at a 1mile board track in Los Angeles, became the first American motorcyclist to travel at 100mph(Excelsior).
This book to me, is a key. This key unlocks many, many, whys.

This is a very important book if you want to have detailed stats and information on jocks, trainers and horses.

For someone in the business like myself, this is an invaluable resource.

You cannot find these stats anywhere else, and it would be next to impossible to compile them yourself.

Very worth the price, and a good job by Steve Davidowitz.

Best Regards to all, MC -TheStickRules.Com

I enjoyed reading this book as it goes into quite a lot of depth. I was a little disappointed in the technical accuracy; I found some of the information on camshafts and transmission gearing to be a little inaccurate. Although, I would recommend this book to anyone interested in the sport of Top Fuel drag racing, or anyone interested in reading about the most awesome display of power and torque in the world.

Phil Georgeff, our golden "Voice of Chicago Racing" has written a warm, endearing, scintillating wonderful portrait of Thoroughbred horse racing's "golden days"! Seen through his "Look of Eagles" eyes as he called (not announced) 96,131 races! His binoculars became magnifying glasses so all of us, as we delve into his history can feel as if we're right there beside him on his Thoroughbred Trek. As my orbs devoured his incredible word portraits, couldn't stop until my eyes had raced over all 252 pages! Read at one sitting! Can't put it down because the book moves as smoothly, fluid, fast, graceful and exciting as does a bounding Thoroughbred, who gallops down a homestretch. It's an exciting, silky, fantastic "read" that left me wanting more. Phil's prose is nearly poetry and a vividly beautiful portrait of horse racing. Phil has the heart, class and soul of a classic Thoroughbred. He writes with love, passion and the discerning eye that only a professional, honest and exceptional writer/witness of those days "when racing was racing" could put to paper. He's enabled all of us to vividly experience and savor every moment of those days when Phil called "Here they come spinning out of the turn!". Wish I could hear him call again! Phil's wise, incisive insight has given all of us racegoers an unforgettable, wide-screen Technicolor heartwarming classic about the wonderful world of Thoroughbred horse racing! It's an endearing, exciting, emotion laden heartfelt tribute! Thoroughbreds are ethereal, spirited, strong and vibrant! Equines who run their hearts out every day they pound down the track, run because it's a deep tradition and heritage within. Phil did the same every time he called a race. And his fervor lives now as he writes his books. Thriving, surviving, facing life's challenges we can learn from this man with a Thoroughbred soul, heart and the Look of Eagles who has given a golden voice to all those brilliant, racing equines & people who live & breathe Thoroughbred racing today! Phil's story is unique and true. Yet his words have the flowing detail & prose you might find in a book of fiction. "AND THEY'RE OFF!" is a masterful tribute and salute to Thoroughbred Horse Racing. Phil's book is a Triple Crown Winner, worthy of an Eclipse award!