Racing Reviews

Tim Capps has written several of the Thoroughbred Legends books and my thoughts on his previous efforts (Spectacular Bid and Affirmed/Alydar) were that he really didn't make any effort in writing them. It just seemed like he went through magazine and newspaper articles and came up with a 175 page summary (which was well-written, but seemed empty). When I saw that he was to write the Legends bio of my equine hero, Secretariat, I was apprehensive at the prospect, especially since two outstanding books (by Raymond Woolf and Bill Nack) had already been written about Big Red.

But I have to say that Capps did a great job with the limitations of the Legends format. He states right up front that he was apprehensive of doing the project because of the aforementioned books which had been published about Secretariat. But he states that Secretariat was his favorite and he wanted to do him justice. He has. Obviously there is not the detail that is contained in Nack's book or the beautiful photography of Woolf's book, but Capps gives a clear story of each of Secreatiat's races, plus some of the behind the scenes dealings related to his syndication.

I didn't learn anything new with Capps' book since I have read everything I could about Secretariat, but this would be a great book for a young horse racing fan who wants to learn about this great horse with the big heart.

If you are restoring a Cobra or building a replica, this is the best source of photographs you will find. Or if you are nostalgic for late 60's roadracing, you will find this an excellent book.

This is a great book for anyone who (like me) would love to ride in grand prix's some day. It covers everything from lunging your horse over fences to free jumping to learning things like jumper turns and courses all from an experts poing of view.

For any show competitor (especially those exhibiting Arabian Horses) this book offers great advice on fine tuning their performance. From evaluating your horse, to selecting the right trainer/instructor, to putting on those special final touches that put the spot light on you and your horse - whatever the discipline. A book I make a point of reviewing at the beginning of every show season!

The story begins with a realistic look of sidecar racing history and its great drivers and passengers. Things you have to know about the subject. The late George O'Dell describes his way to the top, the ups & downs. All that in a environment of the authentic Continental Circus as it was (70-ties) and never will be again. The upcoming of two-stroke and down going of the famous Rennsport BMW. As well as the intoduction of monocoque frames. An change of era viewed from within a team. For the enthousiast, a book to read in one breath. I lent my book to a ex-sidecar driver and I never saw it back. I think I know why... With great, spectacular and unseen pictures.

This book is about a girl whose dad is in the Iditarod race in Alaska. But he can't race with his lead dog because she is going to have puppies... so he gets the second lead dog. The musher's daughter wants a dog and on her birthday the first lead dog has puppies and because it's her birthday, she gets to keep one of the puppies. She names it Silver.

I think you would like to read this book because it's about a little girl and how she gets a puppy. It is a chapter book. And it has lots of action. The pictures are black and white drawings. When I'm older, I want to go in the Junior Iditarod.

This book, geared toward younger readers, accurately captures the excitement and thrill of drag racing. The use of images, combined with two of the sport's biggest stars, competing in the largest and most prominent drag race, captivates the reader into the world of drag racing. I can think of no better way to steer young boys away from street racing and toward the safe confines of a sanctioned drag strip, than by making this book required reading for all Junior high schoolers.

Inspiring and accurate in its well selected detail,Mary Shields offers an insight into Alaska wilderness and the travels with dogs that each of us can 'feel' as we travel 'with' her. Having visited her at her home, and having reread this book, would like to see her do a SEQUEL now! Thanks, Mary! Very, very inspiring... makes you feel you, too, can meet such challenges.

My son and I both enjoy watching NASCAR races on televions.SLOWDOWN AT SEARS POINT brought him right into the middle of theaction. He read it cover to cover in very short time. I liked the fact it had Christian values in it. It provided action plus Christian character building.

Smart Choices is an easy-to-read paperback book which gives good advice for handicapping thoroughbred horse races. The author gives a detailed outline of how to use the Daily Racing Form to analyze the past performances and charts of each horse in a race. Statistics and probability help to determine the odds of spotting a winner. This book has information for beginning bettors and veteran handicappers. I have used many of Craig Victor's ideas with much success. Good luck at the track.