Three Strides Before the Wire: The Dark and Beautiful World of Horse Racing

In this meticulously researched and poignantly written narrative, Elizabeth Mitchell goes behind the scenes of one of the largest moneymaking industries in the country: horse racing. Focusing on the 1999 Derby winner Charismatic, Mitchell traces this horses amazing and ultimately tragic story, from the birth of the foal through its surprising rise to fame to its tragic death. Mitchell also follows the major players in Charismatics life, including the family who bred him, the trainer, the owners, and the famed jockey Chris Antley, whose own tragic story matches that of his horse. Through these interlocking stories, a sense of familiarity with key players in the industry evolves, as well as a greater understanding of the heart and soul of a sport that has fascinated human beings for centuries.

Elizabeth Mitchell is the author of W: Revenge of the Bush Dynasty. For three years she was executive editor of George magazine, and she is currently a contributing editor for Newsweek. She lives in New York City.