by Joe Drape
First published 2008
Joe Drape assembles the greatest horse racing writers to tell the complete story of America's most elusive sporting achievement. The Triple Crown has crowned only eleven champions since Sir Barton first swept the Kentucky Derby, Preakness, and Belmont Stakes in 1919. Legendary names like Secretariat, Citation, and War Admiral earned immortality, while heartbreakers like Native Dancer, Spectacular Bid, and the beloved Funny Cide fell just short of glory. Drape combines contemporary New York Times reporting with fresh essays to capture the drama behind each chase for the crown. The collection explores the greatest victories, fierce rivalries, shocking upsets, and unforgettable personalities that have defined this ultimate test. From the thundering hooves at Churchill Downs to the tragic breakdown of Barbaro, these stories reveal why the Triple Crown remains horse racing's most coveted prize. Complete with classic photographs and comprehensive winner lists, the book delivers both the excitement of race day and the deeper currents that make these contests unforgettable.
Genres: history, sports, non-fiction, biography-memoir
Vibes: emotional, fast-paced, thought-provoking
Tropes: sports-drama, underdog
Setting: Churchill Downs
Period: 1919, 20th-century
368 pages · Hardcover · St. Martin's Press