In Pursuit of the Big Horse

Attorney/horse owner Forman provides the most objective yet passionate view of the internal workings of thoroughbred racing I have yet encountered.He allows us along on his dream of owning a champion while pointing out the reality involved.There are winning moves born of desperation and stinging defeats brought on by misplaced confidence.The average racing fan's image of smart money and stable manipulations are put to rest quickly.Even the campaign of his most successful runner is a story of hits and misses, most coming when they are least expected.Mr. Forman's unbridled fantasy gives way to grudging optimism and finally a more realistic version of success. The fact that the setting takes place at the middle level of the racing scale, in Chicago, and not the power centers of racing such as New York or California probably give it more relevance to the average fan or owner.The shifts in the Owner/Trainer power dynamic are more subtle at this level than they would be in the Big Time, or at the very lowest levels, for that matter. Overall the book is a very satisfying account of one persons realization that going after the dream is the true goal.And win or lose,what you learn along the way is what counts.