Alexandra the Great

January 1, 2017
A straightforward biography of one of thoroughbred racing's greatest mares. Rachel Alexandra was foaled in 2006, from decent but not spectacular racing lines. Big and well-made from the start, she proved to be easy to train, calm, and biddable even as a youngster. And Rachel was fast. Though unplaced in her first race, she won her second and quickly emerged as one of the top 2-year-old fillies in the country. In 2009, her 3-year-old year, she won nine straight stakes races, including the Kentucky Oaks (distaff counterpart to the Kentucky Derby), the Preakness (beating Derby winner Mine That Bird), and the Woodward Stakes (against older male horses), culminating in her being named 2009 Horse of the Year. Aronson writes primarily from personal interviews she conducted with the horse's many owners, trainers, and riders--including jockey Calvin Borel--and includes color photographs, a glossary of racing terms, an index, and a full bibliography. What she can't do is inject much real drama into this riches-to-riches story--Rachel just starts out fast and keeps winning. Only the last chapter, which recounts the mare's near death following the birth of her second foal, carries any real emotional tension. It's hard to know how much Rachel's story will interest young readers, who aren't old enough to remember her racing career, but it's a decent effort and an overall worthwhile book. (glossary, notes, bibliography) (Nonfiction. 9-13)

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March 1, 2017

Gr 4-7-Rejected at birth by her mother, in 2009 Alexandra became the first filly to win the Preakness Stakes; her greatness as a racehorse came as a bit of a surprise, but her enthusiasm for running and patience throughout stressful situations gained her acclaim. Jockey Calvin Borel joined the team as Alexandra began winning, and was able to stay with her through her final major race; his insight here provides context for the broader horse racing world. The story is sweet, despite the plethora of details that support every event-names, places, dates, and races threaten to overwhelm the narrative. Middle grade horse lovers may appreciate Alexandra's underdog charm, but they will likely be bogged down in exposition. VERDICT Alexandra enjoyed a stellar and very recent career, but few tweens unfamiliar with the world of thoroughbred racing will have heard of her. Libraries in Kentucky and near race tracks may be the best market for this title.-Dorcas Hand, formerly at Annunciation Orthodox School, Houston

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