This is the true tale of how Squires, former editor of the Chicago Tribune, moved to Kentucky and tried his hand at breeding racehorses. Though of modest parentage, the exceptionally fast Monarchos (or More Nachos, as his fans call him) went on to win the 2001 Kentucky Derby. Squires's use of self-deprecating humor (he refers to himself as the Breeding Genius and calls his wife, Mary Anne, the Dominant Female) and his slow, southern drawl are endearing to a point. But his delivery is somewhat rote and, since much of the book involves lists of breeding lineages, this can grow trying. And the lack of editing is obvious (e.g., Squires incorrectly reads "bought" as "brought" and corrects himself, something easily forgiven in a live reading, but as easily edited out of audiobook presentation). Overall, however, Squires's portrayal of himself as a wily character for whom luck plays as important a role as any other quality meshes with his awkward delivery just enough to make the audiobook enjoyable. (Apr.)
