1. Seabicuit: An American Legend
By Laura Hillenbrand

2. How the Horse-racing world works
Owner of the horse:
Wealthy
Provides salary for trainer, jockey, and expenses of horse
Receives all winnings from races
Trainer:
The man/woman responsible for training the horse to run properly and gives jockey feedback.
Evaluates the health, strength, and racing strategy for the horse
Jockey
Responsible for riding the horse during races
Is typically very short and very skinny (the lighter the rider, the faster the horse can run!)

3. Horse racing Historical context
1937 is at the end of Great Depression
Many Americans tuned in on radio
There were no famous or televised sports at this time
Horse racing THEN was equivalent to the SUPER BOWL today!
Horse racing was exciting because betting was involved.
People coming out of the depression were excited about the prospect of gambling (seems ironic, right?)

4. Key Players in the Santa Anita Handicap ‘37
OWNER: Charles and Marcella Howard
Horse: Seabiscuit
Trainer: Tom Smith
Jockey: Red Pollard

6. Key Players in the Santa Anita Handicap ‘37
OWNER:
Horse: Rosemont
Trainer:
Jockey: Harry Richards

7. Most race tracks are made of dirt, clay, or a combination of materials
Most race tracks are made of dirt, clay, or a combination of materials. This poses problems because the debris gets kicked high in the air by the horses. Hard ground is preferable because it provides the best traction. Soft or wet ground can spell disaster.

8. The inside of the track, otherwise known as the “rail” provides the shortest distance around the track. However, it often requires horse and rider to manage high traffic.

9. The Outside of the track has a lot less traffic and consists of the hardest ground. (Optimal for running). However, riders can’t run the outside of the track the entire race, because it requires them to cover a lot more distance.

10. The horse/Jockey’s placement in the gate is determined by their past performance. Faster hoses start to the LEFT or OUTSIDE. While more inexperienced horses get the optimal location on the rail.