26 October, 2009, Ann Arbor, Michigan—Rudolph Valier Alvarado, author of “The Untold Story of Joe Hernandez: The Voice of Santa Anita,” the book that’s taken thoroughbred racing by storm and won the most prestigious award in equine publishing—the 2009 Dr. Tony Ryan Book Award—will be in Arcadia during Breeders’ Cup weekend to sign special edition copies of his lauded book.
author Rudolph Valier Alvarado
The signings will take place at the Borders in the mall at 400 South Baldwin in Arcadia on Friday, Nov. 6, and Saturday, Nov. 7, from 10:30 a.m. – 1 p.m. both days.
Dr. Alvarado’s frank, beautifully-penned and thoroughly-researched biography of the great race announcer has been widely received by critics and audience members, alike. Alvarado received the Dr. Tony Ryan Book Award in April at the fete hosted by Castleton Lyons Farm and Thoroughbred Times.
Garnering accolades in every corner of publishing, the tome was a finalist in several other competitions, including the National Best Books 2009 Awards, National Indie Excellence Awards, New York Book Festival Book Awards, Premier Book Awards, Eric Hoffer Book Awards, and Next Generation Indie Books Awards.
The author, who committed six years to the research and writing of the book, began his journey when he was encouraged to read Laura Hillenbrand’s “Seabiscuit: An American Legend.” Alvarado came across Hernandez’s name in the book. He was intrigued by the question of how Hernandez was able to reach such a prominent position in horse racing during a time when a great number of Mexicans and Mexican Americans were being repatriated to Mexico due to America’s Great Depression. He was further inspired when he discovered that Hernandez had millions of fans in an era long before the Internet and mass media.
As the project was taking shape in his mind, Alvarado soon recognized that he was destined to be the author who brought Joe Hernandez’s untold tale to the world.
Alvarado is eager to meet fans of Joe Hernandez and of the sport at the Borders in Arcadia — a horseshoe’s throw from Santa Anita Park, the racetrack where Hernandez made history. From the very first race at the track on Opening Day (Christmas, 1934) until his last call on January 27, 1972, Hernandez called an incrediable 15,587 races in a row. It is a singular honour then that Alvarado should sign copies of his work of a lifetime on Hernandez’s old stomping grounds, the track where Hernandez held court for nearly four decades.
The special edition of the book, beautifully-bound and including a bonus CD of 30 of Hernandez’s race calls, makes an extraordinary gift for fans of racing and those who embrace a great biography.
To pre-order or reserve copies of the special edition, contact Borders at (646) 445-1320. Media and fans alike are invited to contact Caballo Press to arrange interviews, to pose questions or to inquire about the upcoming screenplay based on the book. More information about “The Untold Story of Joe Hernandez: The Voice of Santa Anita” is available at the VoiceOfSantaAnita website.