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First-Time Starter: #1 in the First-Time Starter Trilogy
"First-Time Starter" was a semi-finalist for the 2020 Dr. Tony Ryan Book Award. This prestigious award honors excellence in thoroughbred racing literature.
From the bestselling author of "Black Deuce" comes the novelette "First-Time Starter."
A trainer, an old cowboy from Nebraska, who somehow stays one win photo ahead of the feed man. A gallop boy who’s afraid of horses. A groom who believes in a horse everyone else has given up on. A hard-drinking jockey, once a superstar, who still has the hands of a virtuoso. A filly who’s at war with everything that walks on two legs. And this is their story…
“I wrote "First-Time Starter" for the same reason a jockey sits in the hotbox. For the same reason grooms, hotwalkers and gallop boys and girls work seven days a week. For the same reason a trainer studies a condition book as if it’s holy. For the same reason an owner keeps paying bills on a horse that can’t find the winner’s circle. I wrote "First-Time Starter" because I love horses and racing. And with this story, I do my humble best to convince the reader they should too.”
~Stan D. Jensen
About the Author
Stan D. Jensen received his bachelor’s degree in history and his master’s degree in education from the University of Northern Iowa. He has owned racehorses, and spent the 1980s as a jockey’s agent. His short stories have been published in the magazine “The Backstretch.” Mr. Jensen lives in Clinton, Iowa, and continues to write.
Also by Stan D. Jensen
Black Deuce
Red Otter
Ethan’s Peach Tree
Stake Horse: #2 in the First-Time Starter Trilogy
From the bestselling author of "Black Deuce" comes the novelette "First-Time Starter."
A trainer, an old cowboy from Nebraska, who somehow stays one win photo ahead of the feed man. A gallop boy who’s afraid of horses. A groom who believes in a horse everyone else has given up on. A hard-drinking jockey, once a superstar, who still has the hands of a virtuoso. A filly who’s at war with everything that walks on two legs. And this is their story…
“I wrote "First-Time Starter" for the same reason a jockey sits in the hotbox. For the same reason grooms, hotwalkers and gallop boys and girls work seven days a week. For the same reason a trainer studies a condition book as if it’s holy. For the same reason an owner keeps paying bills on a horse that can’t find the winner’s circle. I wrote "First-Time Starter" because I love horses and racing. And with this story, I do my humble best to convince the reader they should too.”
~Stan D. Jensen
About the Author
Stan D. Jensen received his bachelor’s degree in history and his master’s degree in education from the University of Northern Iowa. He has owned racehorses, and spent the 1980s as a jockey’s agent. His short stories have been published in the magazine “The Backstretch.” Mr. Jensen lives in Clinton, Iowa, and continues to write.
Also by Stan D. Jensen
Black Deuce
Red Otter
Ethan’s Peach Tree
Stake Horse: #2 in the First-Time Starter Trilogy
48 pages, Kindle Edition
Published February 4, 2020
79 people are currently reading
25 people want to read
About the author
Stan D. Jensen
8 books10 followersStan D. Jensen received his bachelor's degree in history and his master's degree in education from the University of Northern Iowa. His short stories have been published in the magazine The Backstretch. "Red Otter" is his second historical novel. "Ethan's Peach Tree," a novel of the Civil War, was published in 2012. Mr. Jensen lives in Clinton, Iowa, and continues to write.
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Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
April 26, 2022
What an exciting novella! You know how you can read a book, get the backstory and follow the plot along until it reaches the climax? This novella accomplishes that in a micro-condensed manner. You get to meet a handful of interesting characters, both human and animal, then become emotionally involved as their lives intertwine. I can't wait to download #2 in the trilogy and continue my horse racing adventure!
February 10, 2020
Love story.
This is really a love story between a groomer and a high spirited horse. She (the filly) was sensitive and protected herself with an angry demeanor. Not going to go into more detail. But, just have to add, I love the descriptions that this writer gives to his stories.
This is really a love story between a groomer and a high spirited horse. She (the filly) was sensitive and protected herself with an angry demeanor. Not going to go into more detail. But, just have to add, I love the descriptions that this writer gives to his stories.
August 17, 2021
I have a new must-read author. I love books set at the racetrack, and this novella captured my attention and drew me right in, so much so I quickly downloaded the other two books in the series. If you like books about horse racing, I'd highly recommend checking out Stan Jensen.
October 22, 2021
Short and to the point. As a horse racing fan, I loved it. Moving into the second book of the trilogy now. Will update once all the way through the series.
July 27, 2022
excellent short story
Wishing for more. I loved the way the author used the horse’s perspective. You could feel the emotions reading his words.
Wishing for more. I loved the way the author used the horse’s perspective. You could feel the emotions reading his words.
November 14, 2025
just like being there!
I loved this story. As a kid I worked at Tropical Park in Miami. I loved it. Reading this transported me fight back 50. Yrs to cold misty mornings and love of the magnificent creatures that are. The author depicted what it was like way back then as it still is. There are many who are knowledgeable and caring . There are also some who know and understand little and some who are plain cruel. Thank you for a trip back to a cherished time in my life. I could smell the good smells of hay, hot coffee, and horse.
I loved this story. As a kid I worked at Tropical Park in Miami. I loved it. Reading this transported me fight back 50. Yrs to cold misty mornings and love of the magnificent creatures that are. The author depicted what it was like way back then as it still is. There are many who are knowledgeable and caring . There are also some who know and understand little and some who are plain cruel. Thank you for a trip back to a cherished time in my life. I could smell the good smells of hay, hot coffee, and horse.
September 29, 2020
A ten star story
Mr. Jenson has a knack for making all of his characters come alive. I feel like I'm right there on the track with them. And, with his background in real horseracing, I know I'm reading the real thing. If you haven't read Black Deuce do it now.
Mr. Jenson has a knack for making all of his characters come alive. I feel like I'm right there on the track with them. And, with his background in real horseracing, I know I'm reading the real thing. If you haven't read Black Deuce do it now.
October 30, 2022
Back to the paddock.
Reminiscent of Dick Francis but more about the horse than the plot. I really enjoyed looking at life through they eyes of a misunderstood champion. Definitely going back for more.
Reminiscent of Dick Francis but more about the horse than the plot. I really enjoyed looking at life through they eyes of a misunderstood champion. Definitely going back for more.
April 16, 2023
Fun read!
Reminiscent of a Dick Francis, but too short to delve into other strands. Though only a few pages, I’m in love (or disgusted by) the characters.
Reminiscent of a Dick Francis, but too short to delve into other strands. Though only a few pages, I’m in love (or disgusted by) the characters.
October 23, 2024
Only horse lovers will understand.
An excellent short story from the horse's point of view. I didn't expect it. Extraordinary.
Made me miss my horse like I never had.
An excellent short story from the horse's point of view. I didn't expect it. Extraordinary.
Made me miss my horse like I never had.
March 25, 2022
What a heartfelt story.
From start to finish this story kept me mesmerized as the author went from describing the worst a horse could be through emotion after emotion of people and this horse to an outcome that warmed my heart.
From start to finish this story kept me mesmerized as the author went from describing the worst a horse could be through emotion after emotion of people and this horse to an outcome that warmed my heart.
December 22, 2021
Could not put it down. Enfer is awesome.
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews