Historical fiction about the Civil War era's greatest racehorse, Lexington. Contains many facts related to horse racing at that time and the racism experienced by the Blacks at that time and today. Amazingly well researched. ( )

Very good book by one of my favorite authors ( )

This story is based on a real painting and the long neglected skeleton of a famous race horse, Lexington. She became intrigued with the notation of a groom named Jarret. This book is an imaging of their time together and how this lost painting was discovered.
I enjoyed the storyline set in Kentucky, with Jarret and Lexington forging a bond. The contemporary story line paralleled the interaction of Jarret / Mary Bar; Theo is able speak about his struggles to Jess as a voice for Jarret. While it does get political** I think the story line explains the mystery of the painting and skeleton. **(I support the message. Maybe it could have been more subtle and less predictable and preachy).
The minute details about horse racing were boring and I skimmed them. ( )

Jess is from Australia and works for the Smithsonian tending to animal bone articulation. Theo is the son of two diplomats who has been educated in England and is now attending Georgetown University teaching and getting his Ph.D. in art history. He lives with his dog Clancy and is African American. He lived for a time in Australia also. They meet outside the Smithsonian when Jess thinks Theo is stealing her bicycle; however, they have identical bicycles and hers is just across the sidewalk. Theo has rescued a painting of a horse from a neighbor and takes it to the Smithsonian to have it cleaned and evaluated. It turns out to be a painting of the horse, Lexington, who was born in Kentucky in 1850 and went on to sire more winning horses than any other American thoroughbred after his racing days ended due to blindness. The story tells about Jarret Lewis's relationship with the horse, Lexington, and the racing world, including the painter Thomas J. Scott, before, during, and after the Civil War. Since this part is historical fiction, Jarret's part as groom and trainer in the story is largely fictional, although he is thought to be the son of a great African American trainer, Harry Lewis. Harry worked at the Meadows in Kentucky and had purchased his freedom. The historical story follows Jarret from the birth of Lexington, originally known as Darley, to his later life in Canada. The present part of the story follows the interaction of Jess and Theo as they discover more about themselves, the horse Lexington, and the Thomas Scott paintings of the horse. Both parts highlight the racism present in the historical and present societies. ( )

A good read although I found the behavior of Lexington rather stretched this horsewoman's credulity at times, especially in the later chapters. ( )