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“The fleet-footed American Pharoah…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…Drape briefly visits the darker side of racing, but this is a feel-good tale of triumph, emotion, adoration.”
— USA Today
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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
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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
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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
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There is much to admire in this comprehensive and often candid book.
— Washington Post
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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
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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
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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
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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