American Pharoah - by Joe Drape (Paperback)

Book Synopsis

NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER

History was made at the 2015 Belmont Stakes when American Pharoah won the Triple Crown, the first since Affirmed in 1978. As magnificent as the champion is, the team behind him has been all too human while on the road to immortality.

Written by an award-winning New York Times sportswriter, American Pharoah is the definitive account not only of how the ethereal colt won the Kentucky Derby, Preakness, and Belmont Stakes, but how he changed lives. Through extensive interviews, Drape explores the making of an exceptional racehorse, chronicling key events en route to history. Covering everything from the flamboyant owner's successful track record, the jockey's earlier heartbreaking losses, and the Hall of Fame trainer's intensity, Drape paints a stirring portrait of a horse for the ages and the people around him.

Review Quotes

"A page-turner .... With his deep knowledge of horse racing, and sharp eye for detail, Drape weaves a compelling narrative from an unlikely cast of characters around an even more unlikely four-legged hero."--National Book Review

"American Pharoah is lucky to have Joe Drape. Actually, they're lucky to have each other. No horse has given the preeminent chronicler of 21st century thoroughbreds better material and no other writer could do justice to such a terrific athlete and story. They deserve each other-and anyone who cares about horse racing deserves this book."--Jeremy Schaap, author of Cinderella Man and Triumph

"Drape takes the reader behind the gate for the inside story of American Pharoah's climb, and to the track for every dust-flying, crowd-roaring minute."--Garden and Gun

"Nobody writes about horses like Joe Drape. He takes you around the track, makes you hear the roar, feel the thrill, see the rich, shadowy, behind-the-scenes world so few us really understand. His writing is as effortless as it is necessary. American Pharoah is an epic American classic, a modern-day Seasbiscuit. If you read just one book about horse racing, read this one."--Drew Jubera, author of Must Win: A Season of Survival for a Town and Its Team

"The fleet-footed American Pharoah: The Untold Story of the Triple Crown Winner's Legendary Rise rides into the winner's circle via effortless prose, well-reported insider details, a compelling human cast of characters - and an irresistible horse: smart, focused and fast."--USA Today, 3 1/2 stars

"The tale [Drape] spins ends up being one that transcends athletics, a story of adolescence and smalltown life. . . . From the opening practice to the Redmen's final game, Drape flawlessly paints a picture of how Smith Center achieves perfection year after year. . . . Drape gives the reader a team worth rooting for."--Publishers Weekly

"There is much to admire in this comprehensive and often candid book."
--Washington Post

"There is much to savor in the 292 pages...Drape delivers lively accounts of the sport's biggest events and the assorted newsmakers, on and off the track."--Bergen Record

About the Author

Joe Drape is an award-winning sportswriter for the New York Times, twice nominated for the Pulitzer Prize and a two-time winner of the Eclipse Award for outstanding coverage of horse racing. In 2012, he co-authored the New York Times series "Breakdown: Death & Disarray at American Racetracks" that prompted widespread reform in drug rules and penalties. Its companion documentary was nominated for an Emmy Award.

He is the author of six books, including the New York Times bestseller, Our Boys; the inaugural winner of the Dr. Tony Ryan Book Award, Black Maestro; and more recently, American Pharaoh. A native of Kansas City and graduate of Rockhurst High School, Drape earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in English from Southern Methodist University. He lives in New York City with his wife and son.