To the Swift

A dramatic compilation of the finest writing on the Triple Crown of horse racing by bestselling and award-winning authors.

Horse racing’s Triple Crown is one of the most sought-after, demanding and elusive brass rings in all of sport. Since 1919, when Sir Barton became the first three-year-old to capture the Kentucky Derby, the Preakness and the Belmont Stakes in a single year, only ten other horses have duplicated the feat, and not a one since Affirmed in 1978. It’s not surprising, then, that the names of the Triple Crown winners have an almost mythical ring to them: Gallant Fox, Whirlaway, War Admiral, Assault, Citation, Count Fleet, Secretariat. But memorable, too, are many of those that fell short, as did Spectacular Bid, Sunday Silence, Alysheba and two recent upstarts who won the hearts of fans everywhere, Funny Cide and Smarty Jones. There have been horses that seemed destined to wear the Triple Crown but didn’t, such as Native Dancer, whose late charge in the Kentucky Derby wasn’t quite enough, and Barbaro, whose tragic misstep at the Preakness turned into a heartrending drama of courage and hope.

          Now, for the first time, the story of the Triple Crown is told in the words of some of horse racing’s greatest writers. Combining on-the-spot reportage as it appeared in the pages of The New York Times with new and original essays,  To the Swift covers the biggest wins, the toughest rivalries, the wildest flukes and the biggest personalities, equine and human. With classic photos and complete lists of the winners, it is a must-have for racing fans everywhere.

"What a pleasure to be reminded again that so much of the finest writing about sport in America has focused on the folk who've linked their hopes, dreams and dollars to that most noble of animals: the Thoroughbred. And what a joy to find so much of it between the covers of this book."

--Joe McGinniss, bestselling author of THE BIG HORSE and NEVER ENOUGH