A Year at the Races: Reflections on Horses, Humans, Love, Money, and Luck

The Pulitzer Prizewinningauthor of A Thousand Acres gallops intoterritory she first exploredin her acclaimed best-selling novelHorse Heaven (Deeply satisfying . . . a smart, warmhearted, winning book New York Times Book Review) with this irresistible account ofher lifelong love affair with horses.

Smileydraws uponherfirsthand knowledge of horses, as well as the wisdom of trainers, vets, jockeys, and evena real-life horse whisperer, to examine the horse on all levelspractical,theoretical, and emotional. She sharesnot onlycute storiesabout her own horses, but alsofascinating and original insights into horseand humanbehavior.To all this she addsan element of drama and suspense as two of her own horses begintheir careersat the racetrack.Asthesexy black filly Waterwheel and the elegant graycolt Wowieaspire to the winners circle, we are enchanted,enthralledand informed about what its really like to own, train, androotfor a Thoroughbred.

A Year at the Races is charming, funny, and a bit outrageous: a candid exploration of the abiding bond between humans and horses, told with panache, intelligence, andhumor.