The father of the Kentucky Derby called him "the greatest all-around Thoroughbred in American racing history." Sportswriter Grantland Rice simply called him "the greatest racehorse." Now Eliza McGraw tells the story of how a gangling, long-shot Kentucky Derby winner named Exterminator became one of the most beloved racehorses of all time. Here Comes Exterminator! Draws readers into the golden age of racing, with all its ups and downs, the ever-involving interplay of horses and people, and the beauty, grace, fear, and hope that are a daily part of life at the track. Caught between his hotheaded millionaire owner and his knowledgeable trainer, Exterminator captured fans' affection with his personality, consistency, athleticism, and heart. Exterminator's staggering success would dramatically change the world of horseracing. He challenged the notion that American horses would never live up to Europe's meticulously charted bloodlines and became a patriotic icon of the country after World War I. And, his longevity established him as one of the public's most beloved athletes, paving the way for equine celebrities like Seabiscuit and showing Americans they could claim-and love-a famous racehorse as their own.
"Readers who couldn't get enough of Laura Hillenbrand's Seabiscuit will welcome this new title; with its colorful cast of characters and exciting down-to-the-wire action, it should have wide appeal."
Library Journal
"Splendid. ... McGraw fleshes out Exterminator's fascinating overall mosaic with deft touches of deeply researched detail."
