The Most Glorious Crown: The Story of America's Triple Crown Thoroughbreds from Sir Barton to Affirmed
A sweep of Thoroughbred racing's Triple Crown is among the rarest and most difficult feats in all of sport. It requires defeating the very best three-year-olds in the land in three grueling racings--the Kentucky Derby, the Preakness, and the Belmont--run over three different tracks at three different distances, all within the span of just five weeks. In 130 years, only 11 horses have become Triple Crown champions. Drager tells the stories of the elite 11, from Sir Barton in 1919 to Affirmed in 1978, managing to recapture the almost unbearable drama and pressure that accompanied each of their quests. As if to underline to difficulty of the accomplishment, Drager's final chapter details the failed attempts of the 17 horses--including such greats as Northern Dancer and Spectacular Bid--who won the Derby and Preakness only to fall short in the Belmont, aptly called the Test of Champions. This is an authoritative and comprehensive account, replete with rare photographs and including an index, a glossary, and a compact disc on the history of Thoroughbred racing.Dennis DodgeCopyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved