I really struggle when giving a book less than 3 stars, as I know each author pours his heart and soul into his or her work. However, I must be honest in my reviews, and must admit that I had a much different expectation about the content of this book. This novel was touted as "the definitive account not only of how the ethereal colt won the Kentucky Derby, Preakness, and Belmont Stakes, but how he changed lives." Instead, what I read was a verbose explanation of the "behind the scenes" process of breeding American Pharoah, the financial dealings and rogueries of all involved in the horse's success, and the technical details of the medical and training procedures used in his career. It was a very impersonal look at the making of a champion, and had very little to do with how he "changed lives", other than those he made money for (and perhaps a very small portion dedicated his trainers' and rider's relationship with him).
I was hoping for a bit more about how American Pharoah became the sweetheart of the horseracing community, winning the hearts of fans of all ages. I would've liked to learn about his much-publicized gentle personality in private, but agitated demeanor in crowds, from those that truly knew him best. I was hoping for a good story, not a mind-numbing archive.
Read 5/19/18
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