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To the Swift: Classic Triple Crown Horses and Their Race for Glory
A dramatic compilation of the finest writing on the Triple Crown of horse racing by bestselling and award-winning authors.
Horse racing’s Triple Crown is one of the most sought-after, demanding and elusive brass rings in all of sport. Since 1919, when Sir Barton became the first three-year-old to capture the Kentucky Derby, the Preakness and the Belmont Stakes in a single year, only ten other horses have duplicated the feat, and not a one since Affirmed in 1978. It’s not surprising, then, that the names of the Triple Crown winners have an almost mythical ring to them: Gallant Fox, Whirlaway, War Admiral, Assault, Citation, Count Fleet, Secretariat. But memorable, too, are many of those that fell short, as did Spectacular Bid, Sunday Silence, Alysheba and two recent upstarts who won the hearts of fans everywhere, Funny Cide and Smarty Jones. There have been horses that seemed destined to wear the Triple Crown but didn’t, such as Native Dancer, whose late charge in the Kentucky Derby wasn’t quite enough, and Barbaro, whose tragic misstep at the Preakness turned into a heartrending drama of courage and hope.
Now, for the first time, the story of the Triple Crown is told in the words of some of horse racing’s greatest writers. Combining on-the-spot reportage as it appeared in the pages of The New York Times with new and original essays, To the Swift covers the biggest wins, the toughest rivalries, the wildest flukes and the biggest personalities, equine and human. With classic photos and complete lists of the winners, it is a must-have for racing fans everywhere.
Horse racing’s Triple Crown is one of the most sought-after, demanding and elusive brass rings in all of sport. Since 1919, when Sir Barton became the first three-year-old to capture the Kentucky Derby, the Preakness and the Belmont Stakes in a single year, only ten other horses have duplicated the feat, and not a one since Affirmed in 1978. It’s not surprising, then, that the names of the Triple Crown winners have an almost mythical ring to them: Gallant Fox, Whirlaway, War Admiral, Assault, Citation, Count Fleet, Secretariat. But memorable, too, are many of those that fell short, as did Spectacular Bid, Sunday Silence, Alysheba and two recent upstarts who won the hearts of fans everywhere, Funny Cide and Smarty Jones. There have been horses that seemed destined to wear the Triple Crown but didn’t, such as Native Dancer, whose late charge in the Kentucky Derby wasn’t quite enough, and Barbaro, whose tragic misstep at the Preakness turned into a heartrending drama of courage and hope.
Now, for the first time, the story of the Triple Crown is told in the words of some of horse racing’s greatest writers. Combining on-the-spot reportage as it appeared in the pages of The New York Times with new and original essays, To the Swift covers the biggest wins, the toughest rivalries, the wildest flukes and the biggest personalities, equine and human. With classic photos and complete lists of the winners, it is a must-have for racing fans everywhere.
- GenresHorse RacingNonfiction
368 pages, Hardcover
Published April 29, 2008
1 person is currently reading
32 people want to read
About the author
Joe Drape
11 books79 followersJoe Drape is a reporter for The New York Times and the author of the New York Times Best Seller Our Boys: A Perfect Season on the Plains with the Smith Center Redmen. He also is the author of The Race for the Triple Crown and Black Maestro. A graduate of Southern Methodist University, he previously worked for The Dallas Morning News and The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. When he doesn’t live in Kansas, he lives in New York City with his wife and son
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Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
April 5, 2017
A solid look at the life and times of the nine horses who won racing's Triple Crown and the people who surrounded them. Nothing particularly outstanding or fascinating, but an easy, straightforward read.
July 23, 2014
This book is great for anybody trying to learn about triple crown winners and horse racing itself. It tells about statistics on horses and betting. Telling about each horses victory on the crown is great as well! Very good book all around!
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews