American Pharoah: The Untold Story of the Triple Crown Winner's Legendary Rise

by Joe Drape

Overview

NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER

History was made at the 2015 Belmont Stakes when American Pharoah won the Triple Crown, the first since Affirmed in 1978. As magnificent as the champion is, the team behind him has been all too human while on the road to immortality.

Written by an award-winning New York Times sportswriter, American Pharoah is the definitive account not only of how the ethereal colt won the Kentucky Derby, Preakness, and Belmont Stakes, but how he changed lives. Through extensive interviews, Drape explores the making of an exceptional racehorse, chronicling key events en route to history. Covering everything from the flamboyant owner's successful track record, the jockey's earlier heartbreaking losses, and the Hall of Fame trainer's intensity, Drape paints a stirring portrait of a horse for the ages and the people around him.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780316268844
Publisher:	Hachette Books
Publication date:	04/26/2016
Pages:	304
Product dimensions:	6.00(w) x 9.10(h) x 1.20(d)

About the Author

Joe Drape is an award-winning sportswriter for the New York Times, twice nominated for the Pulitzer Prize and a two-time winner of the Eclipse Award for outstanding coverage of horse racing. In 2012, he co-authored the New York Times series "Breakdown: Death & Disarray at American Racetracks" that prompted widespread reform in drug rules and penalties. Its companion documentary was nominated for an Emmy Award.

He is the author of six books, including the New York Times bestseller, Our Boys; the inaugural winner of the Dr. Tony Ryan Book Award, Black Maestro; and more recently, American Pharaoh. A native of Kansas City and graduate of Rockhurst High School, Drape earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in English from Southern Methodist University. He lives in New York City with his wife and son.

Table of Contents

Authors Note ix

1 A Brief Encounter 1

2 Groundhog Day 12

3 The "Get-Out" Horse 28

4 Get Him Out of Here 52

5 A Long Summer 62

6 Blinkers On; Blinkers Off 76

7 A Rocket Ship! 91

8 Two Turns? 106

9 Better Lucky Than Smart 115

10 He's Ready 131

11 Barn 33 143

12 The First Saturday in May 164

13 Old Hilltop 178

14 The Sport without a Star Is Not a Sport 193

15 Test of a Champion 206

16 The Victory Lap 224

17 The Graveyard of Champions 235

18 California Dreaming 245

19 The Last Waltz 250

Epilogue 255

Acknowledgments 259

Glossary of Horse Racing Terms 261

Appendices 265

Appendix A The Pedigree of American Pharoah 266

Appendix B The official chart for the 2015 Kentucky Derby 267

Appendix C The official chart for the 2015 Preakness Stakes 269

Appendix D The official chart for the 2015 Belmont Stakes 270

Appendix E The official chart for the 2015 Breeders' Cup Classic 271

Appendix F American Pharoah's Lifetime Past Performances 272

Appendix G American Pharoah's Lifetime Workouts 273

Notes on Sources and Selected Bibliography 275

Photo Credits 279

Index 281

Editorial Reviews

05/15/2016
It would be hard to imagine going a year without a World Series winner or a Super Bowl champion. Yet that is akin to what horse racing fans have endured for more than 30 years while awaiting a horse with the ability to win the three races that comprise the Triple Crown: the Kentucky Derby, Preakness Stakes, and Belmont Stakes. New York Times sportswriter Drape (Our Boys: A Perfect Season on the Plains with the Smith Center Redmen) covers the entire life (so far) of American Pharoah (AP). The author provides a full picture of the major figures in the horse's life including trainer Bob Baffert; jockey Victor Espinoza; and Ahmed Zayat, the controversial and outspoken businessman who bred the horse despite looming bankruptcy. Drape further details the many others who cared for AP or had some part in his path to racing stardom. VERDICT A captivating story woven with an affectionate yet honest portrayal of the sometimes seedy sport of kings, this work will appeal to horse-racing fans and anyone who enjoys athlete biographies.—Sara Holder, McGill Univ. Libs., Montreal

Library Journal

"The fleet-footed American Pharoah: The Untold Story of the Triple Crown Winner's Legendary Rise rides into the winner's circle via effortless prose, well-reported insider details, a compelling human cast of characters - and an irresistible horse: smart, focused and fast."—USA Today, 3 1/2 stars


"The tale [Drape] spins ends up being one that transcends athletics, a story of adolescence and smalltown life. . . . From the opening practice to the Redmen's final game, Drape flawlessly paints a picture of how
Smith Center achieves perfection year after year. . . . Drape gives the reader a team worth rooting for."—Publishers Weekly


"American Pharoah is lucky to have Joe Drape. Actually, they're lucky to have each other. No horse has given the preeminent chronicler of 21st century thoroughbreds better material and no other writer could do justice to such a terrific athlete and story. They deserve each other-and anyone who cares about horse racing deserves this book."—Jeremy Schaap, author of Cinderella Man and Triumph

"There is much to admire in this comprehensive and often candid book."
—Washington Post


"There is much to savor in the 292 pages...Drape delivers lively accounts of the sport's biggest events and the assorted newsmakers, on and off the track."—Bergen Record


"Drape takes the reader behind the gate for the inside story of American Pharoah's climb, and to the track for every dust-flying, crowd-roaring minute."—Garden and Gun

"Nobody writes about horses like Joe Drape. He takes you around the track, makes you hear the roar, feel the thrill, see the rich, shadowy, behind-the-scenes world so few us really understand. His writing is as effortless as it is necessary. American Pharoah is an epic American classic, a modern-day Seasbiscuit. If you read just one book about horse racing, read this one."—Drew Jubera, author of Must Win: A Season of Survival for a Town and Its Team


"A page-turner .... With his deep knowledge of horse racing, and sharp eye for detail, Drape weaves a compelling narrative from an unlikely cast of characters around an even more unlikely four-legged hero."—National Book Review

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