Kentucky Derby: Run for the Roses

Pros

• Covers the first 125 years of Kentucky Derby history
• Includes over 180 photographs to bring the atmosphere and excitement to life
• Entertaining writing style by one of the creaters of the Derby Museum

Cons

• No fault was found with this work. An excellent addition to any racing fan's library

Description

• Triumph and Tradition (by Walter Kronkite)
• My Old Kentucky Home
• The Days of the Derby
• The Run for the Roses
• Down to the Wire
• The First Saturday in May
• Heroes and Legends
• The Winner's Circle
• The Legacy and the Goal (by Thomas Meeker)

Guide Review - Kentucky Derby: Run for the Roses

The book is laid out in related sections with stories and photos grouped topically. "My Old Kentucky Home" includes a brief history of the breeding industry in Kentucky and gorgeous photos from the farms. "Heroes and Legends" is especially nice with many archival photos of past greats and a summary of their accomplishments. Other sections include: "Triumph and Tradition", "The Days of the Derby", "The Run for the Roses", "Down to the Wire", "The First Saturday in May", "The Winner's Circle", "The Legacy and the Goal". Each section is full of large format gorgeous photos by many of the big name photographers in the sport as well as items of racing memorabilia from the 1800's to the present.

The author, Bill Doolittle, is a Louisville, Kentucky, based sports writer who has covered many Kentucky Derbies for several publications. He also was part of the team who created the Kentucky Derby Museum and has even written a handicapping book. He knows his subject and is very good at bringing it to life in an entertaining manner. The photos are what really make the book and he did a masterful job selecting just the right ones to really bring the whole Derby spirit to life on paper.