Harness Racing Books

I sure wish I could remember how I felt when I first read this as a child. And now, even as an adult, I can still enjoy it. When Henry was young, it was his young friend Jimmy Creech who loaned him money to buy a racehorse, and Henry's career took off. Now, as old men, it is Henry who helps his old friend Jimmy by letting him breed his mare The Queen to the Black at no charge. When the time was nearing for the Queen to give birth, Jimmy almost sold her, but because of his young assistant, Tom Messenger, he changed his mind and sent the Queen to stay at Tom's Aunt and Uncle's farm. Those who have read the book know of the ups and downs of judging when the foal is to be born, how to gentle the colt, and teach him manners. Tom grows much closer to his Uncle and Aunt and, when the time comes for him and the colt to return to Pennsylvania, he is sorry to leave. Back at the stables though is the colt's introduction to harness racing, and a name, Bonfire. So much information on harness racing to learn, you don't miss Henry, Alec or the Black, but get wrapped up in the relationship between Jimmy, his partner George, Tom and Bonfire. A great book by a great author, and I would certainly recommend it wholeheartedly even to those who have read it many times before.

A new twist on the series that still ties in to the racing theme. But this horse is used for harness racing at the trot instead of racing galloping. Although the characters are completely new, the plot is fun and it goes with the idea all of the previous books had with training and racing and one big race.
I loved this book.

Tom has to take care of the Queen, a retired racing mare who has been bred to the Black, a few days before she is suppose to foal. He stays at his Aunt Emma and Uncle Wilmer's farm. He soon has difficulties with his uncle and this causes problems with the colt. The colt comes unexpectedly and his aunt and uncle are very surprised and this makes his uncle reconsider some of the things he thought he knew. He pays more attention to Tom's methods and soon he and Tom are getting along well. Then the fair comes and Jimmy and George send Tom a letter saying that they'll be there and race Symbol. This is the start of a very long and lasting problem with Jimmy and also gets Tom more experience and ideas on racing.

This is a great book! The plot is wonderful and it is very easy to follow. If you have read any of Walter Farley's other books and have liked them well then this one will probaly be your next favorite book! It doesn't matter if you are a girl or boy, young or old, as long as you love horses and racing then you will love this book!

First there was The Black Stallion, then there was The Black Stallion Returns, then there was Son of the Black Stallion. Then the series went rapidly downhill. Of the entire (long) list of Black Stallion books only a few really stand out in my mind years later. This is one of them. Perhaps it's because Farley is writing with a new set of characters, and a new horse - a son of the Black raised for harness racing. Whatever the reason there is freshness to the people and plot here that was sadly lacking in most of the later books.

Jimmy Creech was old and tired. He had been harness racing at county fairs for over fifty years which was overcrowded with newcomers who raced at "night raceaways" and wasn't making much money anymore. Jimmy's only hope to keep on making money lay between the Blood Bay Colt and his yound driver and apprentice, Tom Messenger.

*If you like horses, than this is a great book to read!

From the moment you pick up "Born To Trot" you can't put it down! Your instantly transported back into time and stuck by Gibson White's (stories man charecter) side. It's packed with a ton of horse info, about history's greats: Hambletonian, Rosalind and Greyhound. But this book, you won't be disappointed!

Born To Trot is one of my favorite books! I have read this book twice and it's one of the best books I've ever read! It's based on a true story and I think you'll enjoy this book a lot.

This book is insanely wonderful!I love it!I liked how it was two stories in one.This book is a perfect example on M. Henry's wonderful writing ability.This book,King of the Wind,and Black Gold are my hands-down favorite Marguerite Henry books.

Published in 1950, Born to Trot is another classic horse novel from the pen of Marguerite Henry. If you enjoyed her other novels such as Gone with the Wind, you will enjoy this book. You don't need to be a lover of horses to enjoy the story. It is classic children's literature at its best.

The book is actually comprised of two stories revolving around the history of American trotters and the Hambletonian race. They are true stories and centre on the person of Gibson White, son of "Hambletonian Ben" White, and his horse Rosalind, the fastest trotter in history. The book begins with Gibson being confined to a hospital where he spends the next two years. During that time he reads the story of the first trotting horse, Hambletonian. That story is interspersed with the story of Gib's recovery and return to the horsing world. His horse, Rosalind, is a descendant of Hambletonian and rises to greatness as a racer. Although Born to Trot is named for Rosalind and her great speed, the characterisation of Gib as the hero who recovers from his sickness to rejoin the world he loves makes this story a great read for all.

"Born toTrot" was a great book. With my horsing experience, I learnd quite a bit on training a track horse. If you wanted to race one, this is one of the books to read. My favorite part was when Rosiland, the horse, broke the record as the fastest horse in the country. the time Rosiland did it in was remarkable. Also Rosiland having colts that are almost as fast as their mother was amazing. Just knowing with practice they will be as fast or just as fast as Rosiland. Pony Boy was the young man in the book that was determined to work Rosiland to be a winner. With the work he did, it was no wonder that she was the fastest horse in Kentucky. If I had the determinationwith my horse, I would make sure he would be #1. If you love horses and mostly buggy horses, then this is the book you need to read. If I get the right horse get the right horse, Iwill use this book to remember the determination to make that horse the winner. THE ENDna

I would highly recommend all of the Black Stallion Books for adults as well as children. I have recently purchased the whole collection and have been reading them to a very sharp elderly gentleman. I read 4 or 5 of them as a young girl and have found that I enjoy them even more as an adult of 57yrs. Walter Farley's writing is superb. Thank you Amazon for the quick and reasonable service you provide.

I found this book yesturday at a used book store. I finnished it today and i'm going to tell you that I ABSOLUTELY LOVED IT! Alec and Bonfire did their best and there was always alot of action. Some arguments between Jimmy, Henry, and Alec. and some work out and racing accedents that will keep you on the edge of your seat.

One of the better later books of the series, "The Black Stallion's Sulky Colt" continues the story of the harness champion and second son of the Black, Bonfire. Alec must help Bonfire's owner and driver, Tom Messenger and Jimmy Creech, after the horse starts spooking at horses on his right side after a bad accident. The ending is perdictable but the trip between is refreshing and interesting as Farley peppers his writing with information about harness racing. Worth the time and money.

In this book, Bonfire suffers an accident that gives him a fear of horses coming up on his right side. Tom breaks a bone and can't race, so Alec and Henry have to help Bonfire get into racing before the Hambeltonian, one of the biggest races in Bonfire's career! I like this book not only because of Bonfire, but also because Alec trains him for once. I really like the books when Alec meets up with one of the other main boys (Tom or Steve). It also shows a definate problem and solution, as well as obstacles to overcome along the way.

I really don't have anything against free enterprise but I found this book from the Harness Racing Hall of Fame for $20.00, same book brand new 10/15/07. The idea it's out of print is nonsense and one must pay better than $40.00 for it is nonsense as well. It's a wonderful read about a true superstar of the horse racing business and just as Billy wouldn't over pay for yearling's don't over pay for this book. Check around. the proceeds also go for the upkeep of the Hall of Fame if bought through them.

This book had the best info that I have ever seen.Every chapter was interesting.It was the best Biography that I have ever read. I suggest you read it.I loved it.

This book has a touching story about a great man. This book can make you laugh and cry. If you want a book this one is one of the best.

Though this guide was released in the late 1970's, I consider this to be the most important book written on Harness Racing. The book is well written and interesting, it is not an angles on gambling on races type of book. Instead it is an honest straight forward approach to attending Harness Racing and understanding the sport, its history and creating speed ratings from the racing program. Even regular attendees of the races can learn from this book, and enjoy the read as well.

I thought this book was very informative and especially liked the second half of the book dealing with wagering and how to formulate exotic tickets.

Of course, I wrote the book.

My family has been in the harness business since before I was born. I have charted many of Peters descendants including Vivid Photo and P Forty Seven not even knowing this story. I am amazed at the lengths you have gone to as a non horse person to include all the details. I also like the way it is written. I must add that while reading about Peter getting 20 lengths on the competition I even became excited. I can imagine the crowd getting louder and louder as he neared the finish line because they still do. I love when people get excited about harness racing. I also learned a thing or two while reading this book. I have seen, probably, thousands of pictures of the first high-wheeled sulkies and never thought about them weighing over 100 pounds. I found that to be an interesting little tidbit. Thank you so much for all the effort you put into bringing this story together. I am truly impressed.

The story of a non-descript, blue-collar Standardbred gelding, who developed into one of the greatest horses in the sport of harness racing. Rambling Willie was owned by Vivian Farrinton and trained by her husband Bob. This couple tithed Willie's earnings and the team was blessed with a racing career that lasted well past the norm, and comeback after comeback from injuries that would have ended a normal horse's racing career. This is a true story about big-time harness racing, a man who had gone into retirement until Willie came along, and a pair of owners who experienced the "ride" of a lifetime. After reading the book, you will understand why Rambling Willie was "the horse that God loved."

when i first bought a harness horse this was the book that a friend told me i had to read. this is one of the most entertaining books i have ever read. it means more to a person who has raced horses as an owner than someone who has never been involved but anyone would enjoy it. it is the story of don eveans and how he became a horse racing nut,an owner, and a hall of fame harness writer.it is full of hilarious stories of the joys and heartbreaks of the sport that i also grew to love as an owner.

An invitation to spend the summer on Grandma Bates's horse farm leaves Elizabeth Hater with mixed feelings. In the past eleven years, Elizabeth has been near a horse only a handful of times, and she hasn't seen her grandmother even once. She'd rather spend the summer in New York studying water color panting. Yet, this might be just the opportunity she'd hoped for to learn about her mother, an accomplished artist and horsewoman, who died when Elizabeth was very young. But Grandma Bates seems more interested in the horses she raises for harness racing than in her granddaughter, and she won't talk about her daughter. Elizabeth feels more and more like an outsider until Carrie, her mother's childhood friend, and Maggie Last Chance, a spirited filly, draw her into her mother's world and she slowly begins to learn not only about her mother, but about her grandmother-and herself.