Seabiscuit

I know next to nothing about horseracing ... other than a bunch of really tiny guys (ok, sometimes girls too) ride horses around an oval track as fast as they can. This all happens while I've got my eyes covered 'cause I'm afraid somebody or something is going to get hurt.

So, for some reason, last week's Kentucky Derby got me interested in this stuff. There was something kinda cool about the odd juxtaposition of all the well-heeled and well-dressed folks on one side of the track with the crazed, drunk people hanging out in the infield. The race itself was pretty exciting as well...with a long shot coming in...and a gelding at that (ok, I do know what a gelding is...just don't wanna talk about it).

I've heard a lot of good things about Laura Hillenbrand's book Seabiscuit and I was reminded of this while watching both the derby and the teaser ads for the upcoming movie. That night I popped out to my local bookstore and picked up a copy...and, true enough, it's a fine book. I'm only 50 pages or so into it but I'm hooked.

Maybe after I'm finished I'll be able to watch a race without covering my eyes.


(First posted on Mark Is Cranky)

Article tags

Spread the word
Bookmark and Share
Profile image for mark-saleski

Article Author: Mark Saleski

Mark Saleski is a writer and music obsessive based out of the Monadnock region of New Hampshire. He is an editor and writer for Jazz.com. He also writes reviews for Blogcritics.org and produces the weekly feature The Friday Morning Listen. …

Visit Mark Saleski's author pageMark Saleski's Blog

Read comments on this article, and add some feedback of your own
  • Seabiscuit: An American Legend Seabiscuit: An American Legend

    Seabiscuit was one of the most electrifying and popular attractions in sports history and the single biggest newsmaker in the world in 1938, receiving more coverage than FDR, Hitler, or Mussolini. ...

Article comments

Add your comment, speak your mind

Personal attacks are NOT allowed.
Please read our comment policy.
Please preview your comment.

blogcritics lists for Nov 30, 2009

fresh articles Most recent articles site-wide

fresh comments Most recent comments site-wide

most comments Most comments in 24hrs

top writers Most prolific Blogcritics for October

top commenters Most prolific Commenters in 24 hrs