Racing Reviews

If you enjoyed "Seabiscuit" or have been following the saga of the jockey José Santos as he attempted to ride Funny Cide to a Triple Crown (alas it was not to be), then you might be interested in learning more about today's top American flat-racing jockeys.

There were several unexpected retirements this year, including Eddie Delahoussaye, Chris McCarron, and Ironman, Laffit Pincay, Jr., so the list of top jockeys who are still race-riding is a bit out-of-date in "Ride of Their Lives." However, it is still a very interesting 'ride.'

If you think "Seabiscuit's" jockeys had a rough time of it during the Great Depression here in America, read the story of Jorge Chavez who was born in a Peruvian slum, never had a real family (he thinks he might have a dozen brothers and sisters, but knows of only three), slept on the street, and worked any job he could get. At age nineteen he visited a race track one day and fell in love with the horses. He didn't get to ride right away, though. He started out by mucking stalls and had to work his way up the ranks to acquire his jockey's license. He became the top rider at the Hipodromo Monterico in Peru, then decided to try his luck in America. It took Jorge roughly ten years in the States before he started to get the top horses. Nowadays, if you watch any of the big grade-one races, you're almost sure to spot Chavez, whose unique riding style has earned him the nickname, 'Chop Chop.' His first Derby winner was Monarchos, so if you'd like to learn more about Chavez, read "Horse of a Different Color" by Jim Squires.

The tragic story of Chris Antley opens this book, balanced by the more hopeful and unfinished story of Pat Valenzuela, who has come back out of the hell of addiction and is riding top horses once more. Good luck, Pat!

Lenny Shulman tells the stories of fourteen top jockeys in all: Chris Antley; Jerry Bailey; Russell Baze; Jorge Chavez; Pat Day; Eddie Delahoussaye (Patient Eddie is one of my all-time favorites); Kent Desormeaux; Mark Guidry; Chris McCarron; Corey Nakatani; Laffit Pincay, Jr.; Mike Smith; Gary Stevens; and Patrick Valenzuela. Reading these biographies will give you an appreciation of the physical suffering these jocks go through to stay at the top of their game. I personally feel they are the best, bravest professional athletes in the world---they and their Thoroughbred mounts.

I had one minor problem with this book in that it didn't spend enough time on the horses. I would have liked to hear all of the top jocks talk about their best mounts. Some do, but not all, and not in enough detail to get a flavor for what it's like pounding down the track at thirty-five miles an hour, balanced on the tips of your riding boots, and trying to squeeze your thousand-pound mount into a hole between two other horses whose jockeys don't want to let you through.

Whew! Even without those added details, "Ride of Their Lives" is well worth reading.

This book captures what I love about sports in general and particularly horse racing. It is written to expose the personal side of the jockeys that make horse racing such a great sport. After reading the book, I feel that I have insight in to what the individual riders are about as people as well as their career accomplishments. It will make each of my many trips to the race track more meaningful as now I feel that I "know" the riders.

This book is not for the person who wants to get a step by step guide for winning. If you want detailed diets and sprint info read Greg Lemonds book. The Eddy B. Book is next. For a REAL deatiled list of how to find Dave Scott's "Triathalon Training" - He is TOO detailed.

Who is this for? This is for the person who knows all the training basics and can keep up with the pack. Bernard tells the reader that there is no 'formula' or plan. One must create as one rides. Improvisation is the key to his style. However, he has rules to follow that teach one how to use creativity.

His main Rule: Have Fun and Enjoy. When the joy is gone then leave. It is only a ride or a race. It is not life. It does not define who you are.

His best use of tools: Riding old MTBs to learn handling skills and to have fun in the woods. (When was the last time you just putted around the woods at 2mph just playing with runts and wheelies?)

I read this book for the first time over 10 years ago, and it remains a classic. In my capacity as a cycling coach, I find occasion to recommend this book to everyone I work with.

It contains the latest information for it's time (1980's era) and much of it is timeless. It is a perfect compliment to Bernard Hinault's seemingly mercurial temperament to show the amount of thought he put into his preparation. He used the best training programs available, and the best trainers available to him in the twilight of his career and delivers that information in a clear, pointed way.

One can not help but be impressed by the amount and variety of information here. Everything from gear charts for cyclotourists to saddle height formulas are in this book, and even in 1998 serve as a good starting point for anyone interested in proper fitting to the bicycle.

Bernard Hinault used to call himself, in his typically French way, "An artist of the bicycle." He was, in fact, the second greatest cyclist that has ever lived. The way in which he would mentally dominate his opposition in races was impressive, and could give the impression that he won races on willpower alone. This is simply not the case, as you will see from the book. In this book, you get to see the tools the 'artist' used to paint his canvas.

What the authors promise is true: this is a darker, more introspective tale. By flashing forward to Jodell's life today, they manage to foreshadow the tragedies without burdening their characters with an overwhelming sense of dread or foreboding.

Despite the tragic circumstances in this installment, though, readers should still find everything they enjoyed about the first two books. Jodell is still the optimistic young driver who can't dream of ever giving up racing. Catherine, now his wife, still offers her unflagging love and support without complaint. Joe still rates chasing women a close second after working on Jodell's car, but he's still there when he's needed (although there are hints this time around that Jodell may insist that Joe decide more clearly where his priorities are). And Bubba is still eating everything he can get his hands on.

While this book shifts some of the focus onto some of the more serious concerns of the team--finding a sponsor, balancing family responsibilities with the racing life, and the ver real dangers of the sport--the authors don't give us any shortage of action. The racing scenes are every bit as exciting as in the previous two books.

While the Rolling Thunder books may not present a searing insight into the human condition, they're fun, exciting, and action-packed. That's what I'm looking for when I pick one up. When I read one, the authors make me keep turning the pages, wanting to see what happens next. When I finish one, I want to go immediately on to the next one. What more could anyone ask from a stock car racing series?

The third book in the Rolling Thunder series, "Race to Glory", continues the fine characters and storytelling of the first two books.

This book is written with a slight difference, with flashbacks from the past intertwined with the current happenings in the life of Jodell Bob Lee, now a stock car team owner reliving his life spent in the "race to glory".

I highly recommend this book for any stock car racing fan. It provides a behind-the-scenes look at the roots of American stock car racing.

I thought White Lightning was great, but the authors had to pack a lot into it to get to Jodell's first big race by the end of the book. With all that background out of the way, in Road to Daytona they can concentrate, for the most part, on the minute details of a single race. That level of detail really gives the reader the sense that they are there, watching the story unfold in front of them, instead of just reading words on a page.

This book particularly gave me insight into the tasks the pit crew has to do. Before, on the rare occasions that I would watch a race, I would think it wasn't that big a deal, filling a car with gas as fast as they could. Novice that I was, I couldn't understand why the tires needed to be changed so often, or the pressures the pit crews work under. Now, when I watch the race, I'm almost as fascinated watching the pit crews work as I am when the cars are on the track.

Just as welcome are the subplots dealing with the personal lives of the characters. Make no mistake: this is a series about stock car racing, but I find myself just as interested in seeing what happens to Jodell Lee and Cathy as I am in finding out who wins the race.

Finally, I appreciate the way the authors work in historical information about racing without seeming overly pedantic. They make it seem like part of the story, rather than shoehorning in a history lesson.

Overall, Rolling Thunder is a really fun series, and the authors promise that it'll just keep getting better.

I just got finished reading "Rolling Thunder - Road to Daytona", the second book in the Rolling Thunder series.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book. It deals with 3 Tennessee racers who make it to the big time stock car racing world by running at the first Daytona race held at the Speedway.

The story kept my attention, and the history and characters, both real and fictional, held my interest.

I can't wait for #3.

I am an avid fan of Ruffian. There aren't too many books actually available about this fabulous filly and this is one of the first in a long time. I thoroughly enjoyed this story. Toby interviewed many people involved in the filly's life, so the story was a very personal one. I recommend this book to any Ruffian fan.

Ruffian, a wonderful story of the magnificent and one of the most loved fillies of all time. Her short, but brilliant carear was charmed by win after win, record after record. No filly could match her long solid stride and fast stride. No filly could outdistance her or even challenge her. After winning the New York Filly Triple Crown the fated match race with Kentucky Derby winner Foolish Pleasure was on. She broke down and everyone tryed desperatly to saved the courages filly, but her injury was to much and she too much heart and courage to go on. Even in death she is still remembered and worshipped at a champion. She may have died, but her spirit still remains.

The book lays out detailed training schedules for each specific time at a certain distance. For example, running a 20:30 5k. The schedules are daunting to say the least. But after whining about it for awhile I finally just did it. I found that I could complete the workouts and my times have improved. I like the way it specifies time per mile, distance, and type of workout for each day. We will see if my legs hold out.

The material has aged as gracefully as a long distance runner! I passed along my copy of the original that is no longer in print and thought I would never see my training schedules again. Good news, they're back with additional insight for the serious training necessary to compete as we mature. It's like bumping into an old running partner.

Read Walker and still can't win? Twiname explores how we learn - or fail to learn - the techniques necessary for success in sailing. In a sport most of us learn without the benefit of an experienced coach, the author explains how you can be your own "sailing coach" and develope a training program to achieve your goals.

... as a lifelong sailor, this has been one of the best sailboat racing books I've read. More than specific sailboat racing tactics, the book discusses a whole approach to winning regattas.

Tremendously vivid pictures & detailed stories of Shelby American racing history. Includes all racing history for Shelby GT 350s, Cobras (289 & 427), Can Am, etc. Also includes shots of Shelby America's shops and automobile prototypes. Well worth the money.

I was fascinated by this great book. I highly recomend this book to anyone who likes or loves shelby mustangs.

Hey i have to say this book totaly rulz...if your looking for a vook with plans and a overall iew of skating then i would buy this book!

Have you ever done an ollie,360,or nosegrind?You'll be like Tony Hawk in no time.This book gets you setup before you can say 1080!What I really liked is how it told you in detail to do different tricks.This book is a great one for beginners,and skateboarders who need tips.

Francis offers his usual fare: The same protagonist with a new name; a plot of investigation, discovery, physical pain and mental exercises; a supporting cast of believable characters who act in supportable, self-interested, and logical ways. All of which is not to say anything bad; i love to read Francis, and do so when looking for a vicarious thrill and a light read. The protagonist in this one is Edward "Link" Lincoln, an action picture actor ~ the sort who might star in movies made of Francis' books ~ who goes to South Africa for a little off-set investigation. At least, he thinks that's why he's gone there; he's actually gone to be killed. In a post-Apartheid world the picture of South Africa is rather sweet; i would guess Francis had some coöperation from the government in return for his portrayal of the country.

This is one of my favorite all time Dick Francis novels. Link is a character you'll love and you'll loves to plot twists as fiction can become reality.