On the morning of the 1979 Belmont Stakes, Spectacular Bid stepped on a safety pin in his stall, injuring his foot. He had impressively won the first two races - the Kentucky Derby and the Preakness - but finished third in the Belmont, most likely due to his injury, making him one win shy of becoming the sport's third straight Triple Crown champion.

But that loss did not prevent him from becoming one of horse racing's greatest competitors. After taking two months to recover, the battleship gray colt would go on to win 26 of 30 races during his career, with two second-place finishes and one third. He was voted the 10th greatest Thoroughbred of the 20th century according to BloodHorse magazine, and A Century of Champions places him ninth in the world and third among North American horses - even ahead of the renowned Man o' War.

This horse biography tells the story of the honest and not-so-glamorous colorful characters surrounding the champion - including Bud Delp, the brash and cocky trainer who was distrustful of the Kentucky establishment, and Ron Franklin, the 19-year-old jockey who buckled under the stress and pressure associated with fame.

The book is published by The University Press of Kentucky. The audiobook is published by University Press Audiobooks.

"Peter Lee has written a fast-paced and exciting look at the life and times of one of the modern era's most impactful horses." (Barry Irwin, owner of and former writer for the BloodHorse)

"From beginning to end, it's a book that you cannot put down!" (Brian Zipse, managing partner of Derby Day Racing)

"Peter Lee does a masterful job telling the back story of how "The Bid"...developed into what many still call "The perfect racehorse." (Steve Haskin, BloodHorse Senior Correspondent)