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What: “Breeders’ Cup: Thoroughbred Racing’s Championship Day”

Author: Jay Privman

Publisher: Moonlight Press

Price: $49.95

When you think of tradition in horse racing, the Kentucky Derby is usually what comes to mind. Or the Preakness or Belmont. But the Breeders’ Cup has been gaining in stature, and, now, with the 2000 Breeders’ Cup being held Nov. 4 at Churchill Downs, comes a slick 200-plus page coffee table book that traces the event from in its inception in 1984.

Daily Racing Form columnist Jay Privman and Leonard Lusky of Louisville-based Moonlight Press have produced a winner that features well-written text and some of the best horse racing photography you’ll ever see. More than 300 photographs were selected from 60,000 provided by Breeders’ Cup Limited.

The first chapter deals with the history of the event and why and how John Gaines, the owner of Gainesway Farm in Lexington, Ky., came up with the idea. He was spurred into action in the early 1980s after watching a nationally-televised show that painted racing as a haven for drug use. Gaines sought to counteract that image with the Breeders’ Cup.

The first Breeders’ Cup was held Nov. 10, 1984, at Hollywood Park. In the foreword, Bill Shoemaker writes about his Breeders’ Cup highlight--riding Ferdinand to victory in the 1987 Classic at Hollywood Park. This year’s Breeders’ Cup will be the fifth at Churchill Downs.

Among the outlets with the book is the Champions gift shop at Santa Anita. Information: 877 757-5953 or www.breederscupbook.com.