I am definitely not an “animal person” but I do have a fascination with the Kentucky Derby, and the Triple Crown. I watched Barbaro win the Derby, and I watched in horror as he broke down during the Preakness. I’ve read other books about great thoroughbreds and was expecting a great read, but I was sorely disappointed.

It seemed that some of this must have been written for a contemporary magazine or journal piece, and perhaps the other author came in to expand it to book length. The whole things felt choppy and quickly written to take advantage of the public’s interest in the story. One chapter would be in present tense, and another in past tense. There is some repetition, which a good editor might have corrected. And there are pages of statistics (i.e. names of Triple Crown winners). And then there are pages … and pages … and pages … of the letters and messages sent by Barbaro’s adoring fans during the months when veterinarians tried – in vain – to save him from his horrific, leg-shattering injury.

The book seems to end when Barbaro is still recuperating. Then there are pages of glossary of terms used in horse racing, followed by a plea to help stop horse slaughter in the United States, followed by facts on horse slaughter, followed by photo credits, and then finally an epilogue that explains how Barbaro was ultimately humanely euthanized.

I just found the whole thing boring. And now, if I think of this horse at all, I’ll think not of his stupendous Derby win, but of this terrible book. ( )