Reviewed By Terri Schlichenmeyer
When an athlete begins to age and bones begin to
creak, tendons start to protest, and competition gets
harder to handle, he (or she) calls a press conference
and announces impending retirement. Someday, you
might see him (or her) again, maybe coaching or
announcing. We jokingly say they were “put out to
pasture.”
But what about those who are literally put there? Those
four-footed former athletes had to start somewhere, and
in the new book Not By a Long Shot by T.D. Thornton,
you’ll read about one of those places: down-and-out,
bounce-back-again Suffolk Downs horse track in the
in the Boston area.
According to Thornton, in 1997 — three years before he started the journal that became
this book — there were over 35,000 registered Thoroughbreds foaled in North America.
About six-tenths of one percent of those horses will stand in the winner’s circle after a
graded race.
Racing itself is undoubtedly an ancient sport, but in Massachusetts as well as the rest of
America, it gained acceptance in the late 1800s. Thornton says that Suffolk Downs was
“the place to see and be seen” in the 1930s and ‘40s but by the close of the Twentieth
century, other gaming had eclipsed the fun of watching horses run in a circle. Suffolk
Downs was in trouble. New managers had tried to breathe life into the sport and the
track, including re-establishing the popular MassCap race, in which equine “stars” raced
other stars. But in the betting popularity race, it appeared that slot machines were
winning by more than a nose.
During the winter season of 1999-2000, Thornton kept notes on everyday “life” at Suffolk
Downs, the track at which he had been working for some seven years.
All that season, he chronicled the disappearance and re-appearance of jockeys and
mounts, fights between owners and trainers, “Thoroughbred degenerates” and track
regulars, and the drama behind the stands. He tells about his father’s small stable, and
a Harvard doctor who loves her horses more than medicine.
He followed the ill-fated career of a steed that seemed to hate to be in front of the pack on
race day. And he writes of grave injuries to both jockeys and horses, including the heart-
stopping, life-changing accident that happened to one of the most courageous athletes
you’ll ever meet.
Can’t pass up good competition, no matter what kind it is? Then take a shot at author T.
D. Thornton’s book. “Not By a Long Shot” is an interesting behind-the-scenes at a
business that relies on luck, unpredictable athletes, and statistics to thrive. In a way, this
is the equine version of “Rocky”, with the wanna-be’s, the also-runs, and the ever-
hopefuls. Be aware that while Thornton tries to explain some of the small details and
lingo of horse racing, track novices might have a bit of problem following along. A
glossary would’ve helped immensely.
Pick up a copy of Not By a Long Shot. If you love stories of the downtrodden and hopeful,
or if you’re a big fan of the ponies, I’ll bet you’ll like this book.
According to Thornton, in 1997 — three years before he started the journal that became
this book — there were over 35,000 registered Thoroughbreds foaled in North America.
About six-tenths of one percent of those horses will stand in the winner’s circle after a
graded race.
Racing itself is undoubtedly an ancient sport, but in Massachusetts as well as the rest of
America, it gained acceptance in the late 1800s. Thornton says that Suffolk Downs was
“the place to see and be seen” in the 1930s and ‘40s but by the close of the Twentieth
century, other gaming had eclipsed the fun of watching horses run in a circle. Suffolk
Downs was in trouble. New managers had tried to breathe life into the sport and the
track, including re-establishing the popular MassCap race, in which equine “stars” raced
other stars. But in the betting popularity race, it appeared that slot machines were
winning by more than a nose.
During the winter season of 1999-2000, Thornton kept notes on everyday “life” at Suffolk
Downs, the track at which he had been working for some seven years.
All that season, he chronicled the disappearance and re-appearance of jockeys and
mounts, fights between owners and trainers, “Thoroughbred degenerates” and track
regulars, and the drama behind the stands. He tells about his father’s small stable, and
a Harvard doctor who loves her horses more than medicine.
He followed the ill-fated career of a steed that seemed to hate to be in front of the pack on
race day. And he writes of grave injuries to both jockeys and horses, including the heart-
stopping, life-changing accident that happened to one of the most courageous athletes
you’ll ever meet.
Can’t pass up good competition, no matter what kind it is? Then take a shot at author T.
D. Thornton’s book. “Not By a Long Shot” is an interesting behind-the-scenes at a
business that relies on luck, unpredictable athletes, and statistics to thrive. In a way, this
is the equine version of “Rocky”, with the wanna-be’s, the also-runs, and the ever-
hopefuls. Be aware that while Thornton tries to explain some of the small details and
lingo of horse racing, track novices might have a bit of problem following along. A
glossary would’ve helped immensely.
Pick up a copy of Not By a Long Shot. If you love stories of the downtrodden and hopeful,
or if you’re a big fan of the ponies, I’ll bet you’ll like this book.
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