Derby Magic

Horses, like humans, have type A and type B personalities, according to Bolus, curator of the Kentucky Derby Museum, in his fifth book on America's best-known Thoroughbred race. Here he presents almost two dozen capsule biographies, some of jockeys, some of owners and trainers, but most of horses. Among the mounts and the years of their victories are Assault (1946), clearly Bolus's favorite; Clyde Van Dusen (1929), a son of Man o' War; Gallant Fox (1930); Omaha (1935), who would rather bite a horse that bumped him than win a race; Black Gold (1924), whom Bolus calls ""the king of derby winners""; and Seattle Slew (1977), never defeated until after he won the Triple Crown. The most interesting jockey profiled here is African American Isaac Murphy, ""arguably the best jockey of [the 19th] century, black or white."" ""Honest Ike,"" so called because he was considered incorruptible at a time when many riders were not, won at Churchill Downs three times before his death in 1896. Other absorbing chapters trace the history of shipping horses by air and equine personalities from the lovable Buckpasser to the vicious Nevele Pride. Disappointingly, among the dozens of photos there are no action shots. A delight for racing fans. (June)