capable of riding any horse presented to him. Alongside his growing reputation, Pollard also finds his first true friend in veteran jockey George Woolf, known as the Iceman for his calm demeanor.

Chapter 5: A Boot on One Foot, a Toe Tag on the Other

During the early days of racing, the life of a jockey is far from ideal. Their existence revolves around achieving the right impost, the weight each horse is allowed to carry in a race. Using purgatives, laxatives, and starvation, these young men struggle to stay slim while often living in the corner of horse stalls. These harsh conditions lead to malnutrition, dehydration, weakened immune systems, and a higher risk of accidents. Besides their physical challenges, jockeys live in constant fear of being thrown from or trapped under their massive mounts. Yet, they manage to maintain a facade of invulnerability.

Chapter 6: Light and Shadow

In 1928, Pollard and Woolf turn their friendship into racetrack lore. With Pollard as the handler of unruly horses and Woolf as the charming media favorite, they become racing icons in Mexico. However, as their fame on the Tijuana circuit grows, so do their personal struggles. Woolf is diagnosed with Type I diabetes, leading to fatigue and weight gain, while Pollard suffers permanent blindness in his right eye after being struck by a rock or dirt clod kicked up by a passing horse. Despite their conditions, they keep them hidden and continue racing.

The racing scene in Tijuana collapses in 1934 when Mexico outlaws gambling. By then, California has reintroduced pari-mutuel betting, allowing the state to take a percentage of the proceeds, and has approved the opening of Santa Anita Park. Returning to the United States, the friends go their separate ways; Woolf's career advances with better and faster horses, while Pollard fades into obscurity. Two years later, Pollard, impoverished and defeated, arrives in Detroit, searching for work. Trainers dismiss him as he moves from stall to stall until Tom Smith offers him a chance and introduces him to Seabiscuit.

Chapter 7: Learn Your Horse

When dealing with horses as nervous and unpredictable as Seabiscuit, a common strategy is to provide them with a companion. Initially, Smith tries pairing him with a nanny goat, but Seabiscuit ends up tossing it over the stall door. Next, he introduces a lead horse named Pumpkin, who becomes Seabiscuit's constant companion. Smith concludes that much of Seabiscuit's skittish behavior stems from past mistreatment, and he decides that building trust with the horse and the jockey will yield positive results.

Seabiscuit faces challenges not only from his physical limitations and temperament but also due to his age. The Triple Crown races—the Kentucky Derby, the Preakness Stakes, and the Belmont Stakes—are restricted to horses aged three years or younger, making the four-year-old Seabiscuit ineligible. Nonetheless, he proves his worth at smaller races across the country, earning him a private sleeping car on the train for his travels.

Chapter 8: Fifteen Strides

In 1936, Smith and Howard decide to reveal their secret weapon and enter Seabiscuit in the Bay Bridge Handicap at Bay Meadows. The horse quickly outpaces the competition, leaving spectators and reporters stunned. By December, Howard and Smith are convinced Seabiscuit is ready for the high-stakes Santa Anita match, worth a hundred thousand dollars. There, he faces the formidable Rosemont, regarded by many West Coast racing fans as the world's top horse. Unfortunately, at a critical point in the race, both Pollard and Seabiscuit lose their rhythm, resulting in a photo finish. The win is awarded to Rosemont.

Chapter 9: Gravity

In 1937, the United States is grappling with significant economic and social challenges. With unemployment and poverty widespread, people are eager for distractions from their grim circumstances. The combination of legalized track betting and the accessibility of affordable radios provides that escape. Radio journalists roam the tracks, vying for exclusive stories, while Smith, always careful, enjoys outsmarting them by training Seabiscuit at various locations or times. When he knows reporters are nearby, he cleverly swaps in Grog, Seabiscuit's twin brother, to deceive the determined journalists.

Chapter 10: War Admiral

War Admiral, owned by racing enthusiast Samuel Riddle, who also owned his sire, Man o' War, is the pride of East Coast racing. As a Triple Crown winner, War Admiral is considered the fastest horse on the circuit. Like others in his lineage, he is temperamental and eager, and because his jockey, Charley Kurtsinger, struggles to control him at the gates, he is allowed to start outside them. Consequently, War Admiral is the horse to surpass.

To establish Seabiscuit's national reputation, Howard enters him in the Brooklyn Handicap, where he finally defeats Rosemont. The team then travels to Massachusetts, where Seabiscuit dominates the field, closely followed by a young filly named Fair Knightess. Howard is so impressed by her vigor that he buys the filly, intending to race her and eventually breed her with Seabiscuit upon his retirement.

Racing enthusiasts, spurred on by media coverage, eagerly demand a showdown between Seabiscuit and War Admiral. Both horses are scheduled to race in the Washington Handicap, but due to a wet track, Seabiscuit is withdrawn to avoid potential injury. War Admiral's fans taunt Howard, accusing him of avoiding a race against the champion, and pressure him to organize a direct competition. Despite a lucrative proposal, Riddle declines to pit the horses against each other.

Chapter 11: No Pollard, No Seabiscuit

In December 1937, while riding the colt Exhibit, Pollard accidentally brushes against another horse, prompting the rider to file a complaint with officials. Although Pollard is not at fault, the stewards, along with the track racing commission, suspend him from the venue and suggest a suspension from all California tracks for the remainder of the year. This news is particularly distressing as Seabiscuit is set to race War Admiral in March, just three months away. To make matters worse, sportswriters name War Admiral as Horse of the Year. The state racing board upholds Pollard's suspension, leading Howard to withdraw his entries from all state races until Pollard is reinstated.

By February, Pollard returns to riding, and Seabiscuit is entered in the San Carlos Handicap. However, once again, muddy track conditions lead to Seabiscuit being withdrawn. Pollard decides to ride Fair Knightess, which turns out to be a grave mistake. Mid-race, the filly stumbles, with another horse directly behind her. The second horse crashes into Fair Knightess, causing her to fall on top of Pollard, crushing the left side of his chest. He is informed that he cannot ride for at least a year.

The Santa Anita race, known as "the hundred grander," is approaching, and although Howard considers withdrawing Seabiscuit, Pollard insists otherwise. He suggests that Howard hire his old friend, George Woolf, to take the reins.

Chapter 12: All I Need Is Luck

Pollard's misfortune continues as Smith falls ill, and rumors circulate about a kidnapping plot targeting George Woolf. Despite these challenges, Seabiscuit competes at Santa Anita, aiming to become the greatest money winner of all time. During the race, Count Atlas pulls alongside Seabiscuit, forcing him toward the wall. This blatant foul goes unnoticed by the reviewing stand. In retaliation, Woolf attempts to strike the other jockey with his whip, which successfully reignites Seabiscuit's competitive drive. Seabiscuit races fiercely alongside another contender, Stagehand, reaching the finish line simultaneously; once more, Seabiscuit is denied the photo finish victory.

Chapter 13: Hardball

After the race, a group of reporters requests a review of the race footage to confirm the foul against Seabiscuit. While the video does show the foul, it also captures Woolf hitting the other jockey. As a result, Woolf faces suspension.

Amidst the chaos surrounding the Seabiscuit team, negotiations with Riddle proceed. The anticipated race between Seabiscuit and War Admiral is finally scheduled for Memorial Day, with a prize of $100,000. One condition remains: Howard insists that Pollard must ride. If Pollard is not physically able, the event will be canceled.

Chapter 14: The Wise We Boys

Since War Admiral starts outside the gate, Smith must train Seabiscuit to do the same. Drawing inspiration from Pavlov's classical conditioning, where dogs were taught to salivate at the sound of a bell for food, Smith conditions Seabiscuit to respond to the starting alarm. Once more, the trainer dodges the eager press to keep his methods under wraps. Then, the unexpected happens: Seabiscuit develops knee soreness. Smith immediately wires Howard to come. The race is postponed again. In June, Riddle and War Admiral head to Suffolk Downs in Massachusetts, with Howard and Smith in pursuit.

Chapter 15: Fortune's Fool

Just before the Massachusetts race, Pollard encounters an old friend from his Tijuana days, Bert Blume, who is in a predicament because his exercise rider is absent. To help, Pollard offers to exercise his friend's horse.

Everything goes well until the horse gets spooked, crashing through the rail and galloping towards the barn with Pollard still on its back. The horse loses control and collides with the barn's side. By the time they come to a halt, Pollard has severely injured most of his right leg below the knee.

Admitted to the hospital and told he'll never ride again, Pollard drowns his sorrow and disappointment in alcohol. Woolf is called to ride Seabiscuit. Just when it seems the thoroughbred will finally race against War Admiral, Seabiscuit develops leg pain and is withdrawn from the race once more.

Chapter 16: I Know My Horse

Back in California, Smith carefully tends to Seabiscuit, preparing him for Hollywood Park. Track officials wish to send veterinarians to assess the horse's condition. Smith declines, asserting that he knows the horse best and will make that decision himself. Seabiscuit races and wins the gold trophy.

Chapter 17: The Dingbustingest Contest You Ever Clapped an Eye On

The eldest Howard son, Lin, partners with singer and actor Bing Crosby to establish a racing partnership. Crosby partially owns the new Del Mar racetrack near San Diego. To promote the track, Lin Howard challenges Seabiscuit with his top racer, Ligaroti. During the race, Ligaroti trails behind until his jockey pulls alongside Seabiscuit and grabs the blanket under Seabiscuit’s saddle. Woolf and his horse end up pulling the other horse and rider along with them. As they near the finish line, Woolf realizes he must act quickly; he reaches for Ligaroti's bridle, lifting the horse's head so Seabiscuit crosses the finish line first. An inquiry follows, putting Woolf at risk of suspension once again.

Chapter 18: Deal

While Woolf faces potential suspension, the injured Pollard falls for his nurse, Agnes Condon. Meanwhile, Alfred Vanderbilt, a friend of Howard's and owner of the Pimlico racetrack, attempts to renegotiate with Riddle for a two-horse match between War Admiral and Seabiscuit. Riddle agrees, but only if both owners commit to a $5,000 forfeit fee in case the match is canceled again.

The race captures the nation's attention, billed as a showdown between East and West, and is set to occur at Pimlico in Maryland. Heavy rain falls for days leading up to the event. Knowing this is Seabiscuit's last chance to race War Admiral, Woolf studies the track meticulously and identifies a hard-packed path ideal for Seabiscuit’s footing.

Chapter 19: The Second Civil War

On November 1, 1938, before a sold-out crowd, Seabiscuit and War Admiral compete. When the dust settles, Seabiscuit emerges victorious, finishing three lengths ahead of War Admiral. In addition to the win, Seabiscuit sets a new Pimlico track record, breaking one that had stood since shortly after the Civil War. With such a commanding victory, Seabiscuit earns the title of Horse of the Year. War Admiral only races two more times before retiring. People ask Howard if Seabiscuit will also retire, but Howard is determined to try once more to win the Santa Anita.

Chapter 20: All Four of His Legs Are Broken

After Pollard is discharged from the hospital—bankrupt, homeless, and without a job—Howard invites him to live in his home. Meanwhile, Woolf competes in the Santa Anita; during the race, Seabiscuit stumbles, rupturing a suspensory ligament. However, the Howard stable finally claims the coveted prize at Santa Anita, not with Seabiscuit, but with a new acquisition, Kayak II.

Chapter 21: A Long, Hard Pull

Once settled on the ranch, Pollard sends for Agnes, and they marry. Seabiscuit returns home to recover and is entrusted to Pollard's care while Smith heads east with Kayak II. Over time, both Pollard and Seabiscuit begin to heal. They both make remarkable recoveries, and by the fall of 1939, the Howard team sets off once again for Santa Anita.

Chapter 22: Four Good Legs Between Us

With just three months to get ready for the race, Seabiscuit once more captures the attention of a curious media and becomes the talk of the nation. Merchandising booths pop up everywhere, showcasing the horse's image. Pollard devises a brace for his still-healing leg; he is permitted to exercise the horse but desires more. If Seabiscuit is set to win the race that has long evaded him, Pollard wants to be riding him in the winner's circle. Howard, however, is less optimistic; doctors have stressed that another leg injury could leave Pollard permanently disabled.

Chapter 23: One Hundred Grand

Still uncertain about who should ride, Howard seeks advice from Woolf. The jockey believes it's better to break a man's legs than his spirit. On race day, Pollard is mounted on Seabiscuit before the second-largest crowd to ever witness a horse race. Not only does the stallion finally claim the long-sought prize, but he also sets a new track speed record and a new world record for prize money won.

Epilogue

In 1940, Seabiscuit retires from racing and fathers a foal named First Biscuit. Without the thrill of competition, Seabiscuit grows restless, prompting Howard to channel the horse's energy into learning to herd cattle. In 1947, Seabiscuit passes away and is buried in a secret location on the Howard ranch.

As for the others, Woolf earns a reputation as the nation's top jockey. Unfortunately, his health declines, and he suffers a fatal accident while racing at Santa Anita. After stepping down from his role with Howard due to back surgery recovery, Smith moves east to train horses for cosmetics tycoon Elizabeth Arden Graham; he passes away in 1957. Pollard, beset by illness and alcoholism, leaves the racing world, only to return years later with diminishing success. He dies in 1981, and his wife, Agnes, dies of cancer just two weeks afterward.