FUNNY CIDE How a Horse, a Trainer, a Jockey, and a Bunch of High-School Buddies Took on the Sheiks and Bluebloods--and Won

Sally Jenkins introduces an unlikely cast of characters whose paths crossed at just the right moment, and through a strange series of events, to unleash the "people's horse" on the racing world--propelling an unlikely gelding on to win the Kentucky Derby. Jamey Sheridan's homey, low-key voice is a perfect choice to narrate the story. He offers the perspectives of the horse's working-class owners, trainers, and jockey, all with a believable humility. He easily conveys the roller-coaster ride of owning a racehorse that performs beyond the dreams of everyone involved. Sheridan's own enthusiasm for this unbelievable story makes the book read as a novel, rather than the racing history that it is. Even those who know nothing about horse racing will enjoy the folksy combination of the Funny Cide team, Jenkins's informal but thorough writing, and Sheridan's skilled reading. H.L.S. (c) AudioFile 2004, Portland, Maine [Published: AUG/ SEP 04]