From provocative peeks into the lives of jockeys, trainers,
owners, and breeders, to the down and dirty doings of
bookies and gamblers, here is a literary tribute to a
favorite national pastime. Editors Maggie Estep (Diary of
an Emotional Idiot; Flamethrower) and Jason Starr
(Twisted City;Lights Out) have brought
together original fiction and nonfiction from some of our
most beloved writers. Lee Child heads off the collection
with a thrilling story about a hit man hired to knock off a
horse mid-race. Laura Lippman contributes a vivid tale about
a young man who makes money selling parking places at the
Preakness and the intriguing woman he meets. Here is Bill
Barich on the misfortunes of an Irish gambler, Joe R.
Lansdale on one man’s ambition to win a mule race in east
Texas, Laura Hillenbrand on the Kentucky Derby, and James
Surowiecki on the wisdom of horse-racing crowds. Jonathan
Ames adds his unique theory of horse love, Meghan O’Rourke
shares her touching recollections of going to Saratoga as a
child, and Jane Smiley tells of her experiences raising
thoroughbreds. This standout collection on horse-racing
featuring twenty authors, from national bestsellers to
Pulitzer Prize winners, is as page-turning as it is
diverse.
Also includes pieces by Ken Bruen, Steven
Crist, Maggie Estep, William Nack, Scott Phillips, John
Schaefer, Jerry Stahl, Jason Starr, Charlie Stella, Wallace
Stroby, and Daniel Woodrell.