Genuine Risk (Thoroughbred Legends Series #20) Book

I've only read about 10 books in the Thoroughbred Legends series, but this is the shortest. Which is a shame, since Genuine Risk really deserved better. Unlike most of the other subjects of the series, "Genny" was still alive when this came out. She lived to the ripe old age of 31. Although the author got to interveiw some of the key humans involved in Genuine Risk's life, she does not write much about Genuine Risk's habits or personality.

The Kentucky Derby of 1980, Genuine Risk's best moment, is covered far too quickly. I remember that time and some quirks of the broadcast that were not mentioned in the book. I remember owner Diana Firestone running out onto the track to greet Genny with a hug. I do not have a video of the broadcast so I do not know if my memory was faulty. The hug was not mentioned in the book, so I don't know if it happened or not. Anybody know?

There is quite a lot about the controversial 1980 Preakness. McEvoy makes a good case that Genuine Risk should have been awarded the victory that day. It shows you how twisted and screwed-up horse racing in America can be.

There is a long introduction about the author betting on Genuine Risk's Derby. I guess this was to see how Genuine Risk touched people's lives, but the story fell flat. I would rather have heard from other fans than just the author.

There was a good section on Genuine Risk's trials and eventual late triumph as a broodmare. There wasn't much about the offspring, neither of which ever raced. She was described as a good mother who loved to show off her foals to her admiring public.



With her feminine good looks, powerful stretch drive and big blaze, I always wondered if Genuine risk was the horse that provided the inspiration for Ashleigh's Wonder, the star racer of the popular young adult fiction series Thoroughbred, created by Joanna Campbell.