Despite not being highly regarded by his connections early on (they didn't even nominate him for any of the rich year-end futurities), he quickly proved the naysayers wrong. He won the 1937 Derby in easy wire-to-wire fashion in the then second-fastest time ever, and repeated his feat in the Preakness, which at the time was run just a week after the Derby. At the Belmont, he injured his right forefoot in the starting gate but still went on to win the race leading all the way in track record time.

Taking time off for the injury to heal, he did not miss a beat when he returned to the track in October, stretching his winning streak to eleven until he lost the Massachusetts Handicap in late June 1938, battling illness, a 130 pound impost, and a heavy, rain-soaked track. For his achievements he was voted Horse of the Year in 1937.

As has been custom in this series, the last chapter is dedicated to War Admiral's stud career. He went on to be a great broodmare sire, with his daughter producing such luminaries as Buckpasser and Hoist the Flag. His descendents through his daughters include Seattle Slew and Affirmed, "a bit of the genetics of the fourth Triple Crown winner in the pedigrees of the tenth and eleventh."

This book is recommended for all racing fans who want to look back at the past. It is eye-opening to see how different racing was back then compared to today. We no longer run the Preakness a week after the Derby nor do we see many "Cup races" (races longer than 14 furlongs) or match races, both of which have long since fallen out of favor. Edward Bowen's writing style is fast paced and attention-grabbing, making for an easy entertaining read as well as a useful reference on the Triple Crown champion of 1937.