HORSE OF A DIFFERENT COLOR A Tale of Breeding Geniuses, Dominant Females, and the Fastest Derby Winner Since Secretariat

After losing his job as the editor of the Chicago Tribune, Jim Squires turns his successful sideline of raising horses into a full-time enterprise. At first, the reading reminds us that author/editor Squires is not a professional audiobook performer. He sounds uneasy; the way a nonactor does when confronted with lines. Yet, as he relaxes into this fascinating, entertaining look at thoroughbreds and the singular folk involved in horse breeding and racing, his natural enthusiasm connects. With great good humor, Squires describes disappointing horse auctions, careful breeding practices, those afflicted with "the dreaded social disease, Derby Fever,'" and the business of raising Monarchos, a Kentucky Derby hopeful. Finally, we experience with Squires his unbridled delight when the gray colt wins "the most exciting two minutes in sports." S.J.H. (c) AudioFile 2002, Portland, Maine [Published: AUG/SEP 02]