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American Pharoah
American Pharoah: The Untold Story of the Triple Crown Winner's Legendary Rise | Joe Drape
16 posts | 13 read | 7 to read
NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER History was made at the Belmont Stakes in Summer 2015 when American Pharoah won the Triple Crown title, the first racehorse to achieve the momentous feat since Affirmed in 1978. Pharoah was the crowd favorite, as spectators had anxiously anticipated the American Thoroughbred's victory, already a proven winner at the year's earlier Kentucky Derby and Preakness races. By all appearances, American Pharoah has led a successful career, unmarred by any controversy as he was the undisputed champion-only twelve horses total in American history have won the Triple Crown. Unfortunately however, his training team has not fared nearly as well. With accusations ranging from sour business transactions to poor gambling practices to active litigation with bankruptcy courts and other legal cases pending, his owner Ahmed Zayat has many rooting against him. The flamboyant Egyptian-American businessman has been leading a double-life that has threatened to overwhelm his small empire. Victor Espinoza, the famed racehorse's relentless jockey, left rural Mexico only to face harsh conditions on a farm where he had to overcome his fear of horses before learning that he had a gift for race riding. Finally, Bob Baffert, American Pharoah's trainer, has an interesting arc that includes tremendous wins, personal losses, and controversial medication violations. Beginning with American Pharoah's modest showing at his first maiden race in 2014, New York Times sportswriter Joe Drape recounts the winning thoroughbred's explosive racing career by weaving in details of Zayat's questionable business practices, Espinoza's heartbreaking loss with California Chrome last year, and Baffert's temperamental, unreliable track record. By interviewing the parties involved and taking readers behind the scenes of the making of America's latest Triple Crown winner, Drape unfurls a tale "that transcends athletics, a story of adolescence and small-town life" (Publishers Weekly), and all the corruption, illegal gambling, and secretive business practices that can flourish in the shadows of greatness.
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Daisey
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Pickpick

I took my walk early because of a chance of rain later today and then continued listening to this as I worked around the house. The descriptions of money involved were staggering, but it never had me truly waiting in suspense to know what would happen. Overall, it was interesting and enjoyable, but I‘m not sure any racehorse story can beat Seabiscuit for me. 🏇

#audiobook #nonfiction

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Daisey
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This week I felt the need for a change of pace and some straightforward nonfiction for my listening. I‘m not too far in yet, but so far this is interesting while not so enthralling that I keep listening when I get back to the house after my evening walk.

#nonfiction #audiobook #audiowalk

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NatalieR
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Pickpick

Living in central Kentucky, it was cool to hear about the various horse farms I have the pleasure to see daily. American Pharoah, and all race horses, are amazing athletes. Learning more about the lives of the people in the industry was interesting. #MountTBR

Megabooks I have this in my audible TBR too. 4y
NatalieR @Megabooks I think you‘ll appreciate all of the Kentucky mentions. 🐎 4y
Scochrane26 I got to tour Ashford Stud farm in Versailles one time, & it‘s beautiful. One of the past Derby winners was there. 4y
NatalieR @Scochrane26 Awesome! Touring the horse farms is an amazing experience. So glad you enjoyed it! 4y
88 likes2 stack adds4 comments
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MissMary
Pickpick

I liked thos book; great for any horse lover or person with any interest in horse racing. It was interesting to hear about the trainers and owners processes.

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OrangeMooseReads
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Mehso-so

Finished up listening to this one today. It was in-depth. I personally didn‘t find it super interesting. I really didn‘t care to know the intimate details of American Pharoah‘s conception. I did find some parts more interesting than others, such as the insane amount of money that is spent on all aspects of the horses. Perhaps reading the physical book I would have been more into it. Hearing the back story of a moment I watched happen was cool.

Reviewsbylola This sounds like a modern day Seabiscuit. 6y
40 likes1 comment
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OrangeMooseReads
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Soccer season has begun! First practice tonight. #audiomomming

CouronneDhiver 👍🏽 6y
Texreader Lucky you! I miss the years my daughter played. 6y
42 likes2 comments
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kricheal
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Pickpick

Very interesting story of the triple crown winner. I really enjoyed this. My dad(when I was younger) was involved in the horse racing community...nothing of this caliber though.

TheBookKeepers My husband is currently on a horse kick and reading lots of books like this! Thanks for sharing bc I‘m passing along the recommendation! 6y
ladym30 Great cover! 6y
68 likes2 comments
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britt_brooke
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Pickpick

“The three hardest things to predict the outcome of are a bowl game, a love affair, and a horse race.”

As a native Kentuckian and sometime racing fan, I enjoyed this glimpse into the breeding and training process, and the life of one of the greatest horses to ever run. Having been to both Churchill (not the derby, but other races; once being the Breeder‘s Cup) and Keeneland many times, I can appreciate the pomp and circumstance involved.

GabrielleDubois The first hardest thing to predict the outcome of is life! 6y
britt_brooke @GabrielleDubois Isn‘t that the truth!! 6y
See All 8 Comments
LauraBeth I love horse racing! Did you read 6y
britt_brooke @LauraBeth Not yet, but I‘m moving it up in my TBR! You‘ve probably read it already, but Seabiscuit is really good, too. 6y
LauraBeth I haven‘t gotten around to it yet but I did love Seabiscuit 6y
Cathythoughts That quote has me interested ... 6y
britt_brooke @Cathythoughts It‘s a good, quick read. If you like horse racing at all, I recommend it. 6y
104 likes8 comments
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britt_brooke
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As a Bluegrass native, I find the horse racing industry interesting (though not perfect, obviously). Thank you #Audible for the free book! 🤗 Enjoying it so far. 🏇🏻

#currentlylistening #currentlyreading #multitasking #mindandbody #audio #audiobook

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kricheal
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Starting this next, received this free from #audible

72 likes2 stack adds
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Shibbyfruitfly
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Just in case any of you missed it, American Pharaoh is currently free to download on Audible through tomorrow!

8 likes1 stack add
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OrangeMooseReads
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In case you weren‘t aware ... free audio of American Pharoah from Audible because Audible the horse came in 3rd today at the Kentucky Derby 🐎 #spreadthebookishlove #whodoesntlovefree

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rubyslippersreads
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In honor of a horse named Audible running in today's Kentucky Derby, the tagged #audiobook is currently free at Audible. 🐎😀

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LaurenMagoo
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Pickpick

I'm a horse nerd and equine industry professional so of course I love this book, but besides that Drape does a great job telling this story that keeps the reader hooked. I also appreciated his honesty, he didn't try to paint it as a Cinderella story. I appreciate the lack of embellishment that often accompanies retellings like this.

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LaurenMagoo
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"he was no noted lover of the horse, but of a way of life of which the horse was once, and in a few favored places still is, a symbol- a way of charm, and ease and grace and leisure." Joe H. Palmer on American Pharoah's owner Ahmed Zayat.

10 likes1 stack add
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LaurenMagoo
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My only "bookish" gift which happens to include my other love and career path: horses ? Merry Christmas Litsy!