D. Wayne: The High-Rolling and Fast Times of America's Premier Horse Trainer

by Carlo DeVito

The first biography of the most successful and controversial horse trainer of all time His methods have been ridiculed, his business tactics declared questionable, and his plans derided. Yet, not even the most stiff-necked Southern patrician can deny that D. Wayne Lukas is the most successful horse trainer in history. In 1999, Lukas became the first trainer to surpass $200 million in earnings. He has won 12 Triple Crown events (including 6 in a row)13 Breeders' Cups, 4 Kentucky Derbies, 5 Preaknesses, and 3 Belmonts. If horse racing is the sport of kings, then D. Wayne Lukas is surely its emperor. Now, in D. Wayne --the first book-length biography of D. Wayne Lukas--sportswriter Carlo DeVito tells the riveting life story of the man known throughout the sports world as the "Vince Lombardi of horse racing." He reveals the unorthodox business tactics D. Wayne used to wrest control of thoroughbred racing away from the handful of wealthy families who had held it for two centuries and to change the business forever. And with the help of candid interviews with Lukas rivals and fans, colleagues and competitors, and others, Carlo DeVito paints a fascinating portrait of the man who embodies Americans' most cherished images of themselves--self-made man, innovator, and cowboy. The first biography of the most successful--and controversial--horse trainer of all time D. Wayne Lukas has trained more winners, won more races, and amassed a greater fortune than any horse trainer in history. His unorthodox methods as well as his stormy personal life have also earned him a celebrity traditionally reserved for movie stars and big-league athletes. Now, in D. Wayne , journalist Carlo DeVito provides us with an intimate look into the life, times, and complex personality of one of the most colorful entrepreneurial mavericks of all time.

304 pages, Hardcover

First published March 1, 2002

About the author

Carlo DeVito is a long time wine lover, and author of books and magazine articles. He is the author of Wineries of the East Coast. He has traveled to wine regions in California, Canada, up and down the east coast, France, Spain and Chile. He was also a publisher at Running Press Book Publishers, where he published books from Wine Spectator, as well as books with Greg Moore (of Moore Bros.), Matt Kramer, Howard Goldberg, and many other wine writers. He is currently VP, Editorial Director of Sterling Epicure where his authors also include Kevin Zraly, Oz Clarke, Tom Stevenson, Terry Walters, The Fabulous Beekman Boys, and the Edible Communities cookbook program.

Mr. DeVito has also been the editor of many successful traditional trade books, including Strange Fruit by David Margolick, On the Shoulders of Giants by Stephen Hawking, and three titles by Malachy McCourt. Other authors include John and Mary Gribbin, Thomas Hoving, Philip Caputo, E. O. Wilson, Arthur M. Schlesinger Jr., John Edgar Wideman, Stanley Crouch, Dan Rather, Dee Brown, Susie Bright, and Eleanor Clift.

He is also the author of more than 15 books, including his highly acclaimed biographies of D. Wayne Lukas, Wellington Mara, Yogi Berra, and Phil Rizzuto.

He lives with his wife, pet publisher Dominique DeVito, and their two sons, on their farm, the Hudson-Chatham Winery in Ghent, NY.

Reviews

[Pegg · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you love horse racing and have for some time, this is a MUST READ book. It's an older book, released in 2002, but it was a wonderful stroll down memory lane for me. The names of the trainers, the names of the horses, the races ... all good to remember. But the author took me behind the scenes, filled in a lot of backstory, and plenty of controversies I'd heard only a little about. Things written for the racing world that didn't make prime time. I thoroughly enjoyed it! Horse racing fans will too.

[Mike · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fun interesting read about a man who changed a sport.

[Joseph J. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Bought it twenty three years ago. The illness and now death of D. Wayne Lukas prompted a return visit to a couple of decades where Lukas was THE IMAGE and POWER in thoroughbred racing, accentuated by landscaped barn grounds and designer suits, wrap around shade and stables from coast to coast. He exemplified the excess of the 80's culture, but the severe barn injury to his son and assistant Jeff seemed even at the time to bring the high-flying life and success down to tragic reality. Published in 2002, octogenarian Wayne in the recent years was softer and-yes-lovable. A grandfatherly sage and source of wisdom and honesty. The last Preakness I attended was 1993, probably most remembered for the tragic breakdown of Lukas trained Union City. The breakdowns and premature retirements troubled me, but I was glad to see the beautiful Seize The Grey win the 2024 Preakness for Lukas as a kind valedictory note (of course not in this) volume.