County-Fair Colt Author:Jim Scott Writing for the Berkeley Daily Gazette, Jim Scott covered most of the racing events on the West Coat, as well as other major sporting events. A sportsman himself, Mr. Scott wanted to write a book about racing from behind the scenes, the side of racing not seen by the spectator. The idea occurred to him on a visit to a county-fair race track. "... more »This early morning scene at the race track appealed to the ear and nose as wll as to the eye. I was determined to get it all down on paper...the bright colors, the excitement, the characters and the animals who populate the track. In short, I wanted to do a book that would even smell like a race track."
The resulting novel is a story that centers around an amazing horse named John Silver, rescued from abuse and neglect and then lovingly rehabilitated to become a champion race horse. Perhaps Mr. Scott was inspired by the life and triumph of Seabiscuit, the famous horse that died 10 years before this completely fictionalized book was written. The circumstances of the two horses' lives are not the same, but the story of John Silver rings true. It is a satisfying read.« less