Racing for the truth
Most spectators watching thoroughbred racing see glitz, glamour and money, but those doing the hands-on work—in barns or barreling down the track atop literal horsepower—will speak to the possible dangers as well.
Today, the Horseracing Integrity and Safety Authority is charged with setting and enforcing policy to create a safer racing environment. According to its website, HISA’s responsibilities are “drafting and enforcing uniform safety and integrity rules in Thoroughbred racing in the U.S.,” applying to all thoroughbred racing participants and facilities. These rules are meant to minimize both equine and jockey injury by focusing on track maintenance, veterinary oversight and anti-doping.
What would happen, though, if one person held enough control over another to force some bribing, bending or downright breaking of these rules? Lexington author John Paul Miller builds a fictional story around this supposition in his novel, False Riches.
The book’s hero, Amos Moon, is a lifelong horse enthusiast, exercise rider and gambler who believes in the need for better equine and jockey safety measures and works diligently to implement and monitor them at the Texas track where he works. When race favorites come up short in a race where Moon’s bet wins big, he is suspected of foul play. Could he have been set up? Any number of folks Moon has turned in for rule violations could want him out of the way.
Enter Rixie Ricksland, a private investigator who works alongside Miller’s own version of HISA, the National Equine Safety Protection Authority, to make sure that regulations are followed and that those violating them are ousted from the sport. After an experienced exercise rider is injured due to his mount’s uncharacteristic slowdown and stumble, more than just bad luck seems to be at play. Could both the injured rider’s and Moon’s experiences be linked? As Ricksland uncovers Moon’s beliefs and convictions, she can’t discount the possibility of a set-up—or her growing admiration of him.
The book is part mystery, part romance, and lovers of both will find a sure thing when they bet on Miller’s story of intrigue, tragedy, courage and determination.
False Riches, Palmetto Publishing, ($28.99 hardcover, $18.99 paper), is available online at Amazon and Barnes & Noble.
As a boy, author John Paul Miller always wanted to be a cowboy. When he later met his wife, Judy, who had spent a lifetime in the thoroughbred industry, his dreams came true. For more than 25 years, he has immersed himself in the horse world, taking lessons, riding trails, attending shows and rodeos, and simply listening to the stories that vets, riders, trainers and owners have to share. The couple lives on a farm with four horses and two dogs. Connect with him at www.johnpaulmiller.net.
