Gambling was both pastime and a way of life for the American southerner in the 1800's, before the Civil War racked the nation. The northern states had become more puritanical about gambling, but the South made up for any perceived shortcomings, betting on anything and everything. Horse racing was very popular, and there was great competition to breed the finest, fastest, soundest horses to prove themselves on the track.

Races were run in heats, until one horse won two heats, a process that could take a goodly part of the day. The first heat would be run, a distance varying from one to four miles. The horses would get a recovery period, their jockeys needing the rest as much as their mounts. The heats would be repeated until there was a double winner.

Lexington arrived on the scene and demonstrated his ability to win these races, taking a world record for a four-mile heat before blindness ended his career on the track. His progeny were the top money winners into the future. Now he was in great demand as a sire. The Civil War brought chaos to the region, and Confederate soldiers raided the Thoroughbred farms, with Lexington as a prime target.

His bloodline survived the war, and makes a noticeable imprint in the stud books today when you look at the Triple Crown winners.. There have been 13 Triple Crown winners, and 12 go back to Lexington. This book tells the story of fast horses, fast times, and the people and horses who made it happen.

Finished ✔️ Lexington by Kim Wickens and I have to say this is one of my favorite reads of the year!! 🤩🤩🤩
5 ⭐️’s
Publish Day: July 11th, 2023
Kindle Unlimited: No
Extraordinary life and turbulent times of America’s Legendary racehorse
I absolutely LOVED this horse book! 🤩❤️🐎
Learned everything is ever would want to know about the legendary stallion Lexington who is named after the city of Kentucky where he was born.
The author Kim Wickens is a lawyer and dressage rider who became fascinated by the legendary horse when she learned that twelve thoroughbred racing’s thirteen Triple Crown winners descended from Lexington, Kentucky.
I love how much Kim Wickens researched for this book
Absolutely one of ,y favorite reads this year 🤩❤️🐎
Yes, I’d recommend this book
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This is a story about Lexington, a horse that was incredibly fast - and could go long. In the mid 19th century, horse races went 4 miles, followed by a 45 minute rest/recouperation. Then another 4 mile race ensued. Lexington was the fastest of the time - even with his failing eyesight. His owner, Ten Broeck, quit racing him when Lexington was all but blind.
Another horse, Lecomte was almost as good and Lecomte's owner, Mr. Wells, proposed, with no proof, that his horse had been drugged and that's why Lexington had beaten Lecomte.
R.A. Alexander bought Lexington and the horse's offspring proved themselves as winners. But the Civil War started and there are no rules in war. Horses were badly needed and soldiers simply took what they could find. This is where I quit reading because I'm too much of a weenie when it comes to animals.
But I will say this book is meticulously researched and now I know more about horses than most of you do!
It's very readable and you'll enjoy all the history behind horse racing. And yes, I think you'll fall in love with Lexington