Laura Hillenbrand's well-received and well-reviewed book about the legendary racehorse, Seabiscuit: An American Legend, made a fast break out of the gate right into the winner's circle with its trade paper edition. The book hit the list within days of its March 26 on-sale; Ballantine reports 230,000 copies in print after three trips to press. The hardcover, a National Book Critics Circle Award nominee, was on PW's weekly lists for 20 weeks and, by the end of 2001, had sold 320,000 copies. Hillenbrand, who is a consultant to Universal Studios for the movie of her book, is in the midst of a radio satellite tour. Thirty-second TV spots, in conjunction with the National Thoroughbred Racing Association, will be seen daily during the week of April 29 on ESPN and ESPN2's Kentucky Derby week broadcasts.

With reporting by Dick Donahue