A book was written before 1981..it was about a practical nurse who
received an inheritance from a patient.  With this money she bought a
Kentucky Thoroughbred horse farm.  The story is about her breeding and
racing horses, and about her acceptance in the Kentucky horse circles.
 Other parts of the book are about the Keenland Horse Sales, horse
race handicapping, and ticks in horse breeding.  I always thought the
title was "Thoroughbred", but I have not been able to trace it.  I
even thought I read that it was a book of the month selection at one
time. Can you find this book for me?
Thank-you.  PS..I have read this book several times, so I know it
exists..otherwise, I must have dreamed the whole thing!  It is a LONG
book..something like the length of Hawaii.

Hi sandy1947,

Here's your book!

Bluegrass by Borden Deal 
468 pages
Doubleday; 1st ed. in the U.S.A edition (1976)
ISBN: 0385018215
[the photo may not match your recollection if you read a different edition]
<http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0385018215/ref=sr_11_1/002-3795030-9312008?ie=UTF8>

"When a former nurse with a newly acquiared fortune buys a rundown
horse-breeding farm, it soon becomes evident that entry into
Kentucky's bluegrass country is one thing and entree to Kentucky's
blue-blood society is quite another." Maude Sage is the heroine who
hires a general manager who has a gambling problem but also has a
wonderful way with thoroughbreds in the stable. Together they set out
to develop a new bloodline to match that of Man o' War.."

"Thrilling novel about a woman who tackles running a horse farm in
Kentucky's bluegrass country, under the disapproving eyes of
Kentucky's blue-blood society."

Photo of Bantam paperback here:
<http://www.biblio.com/books/28507004.html>

You'll find lots of used copies to choose from here:

BookFinder
<http://www.bookfinder.com/search/?author=borden+deal&title=bluegrass&submit=Begin+search&new_used=*&destination=us&currency=USD&binding=*&isbn=&keywords=&minprice=&maxprice=&classic=on&mode=advanced&st=sr&ac=qr>

I enjoyed finding this for you. If it's not the book or if you have
any questions, please post a clarification request and wait for me to
respond before closing/rating my answer.

Thank you,
hummer

I searched the used book websites for the terms: nurse inheritance horses

Thank you!  I would almost swear it was not the title, but then, guess
that's why I couldn't find it.  I am thrilled..