REPORTING FROM... THE ROAD TO SPRING TRAINING

Ryan McGee

Ended yesterday at a horse auction in Ocala, FL. I know as much about horses as they know about NASCAR, but my tour guide was one of the best, Jim Scott, manager of George Steinbrenner's nearby Kinsman Farms. While Jim was in the bidding room plunking down 200 large on a two-year old cousin of Bedside Manner, I was backstage in the Horsemen's Lounge plunking down one George Washington for a slice of homemade chocolate cake.

     The Florida Thoroughbred Fillies are the wives and mothers behind the billion-dollar Ocala horse business and they sell baked goods and raffle tickets to raise money for charity. This cake was so good that if you put it on top of your head your tongue would beat your brains out to get to it.
     Later, Scott showed me around Steinbrenner's place and introduced me to 2006 Triple Crown contender Hemmingway's Key and the immediate family of early Derby fave Majestic Warrior. Says Scott: "His brother Evolutionary will be the next big thing."
     On the last leg south to Yankees camp I stopped in to see my old buddy Big Daddy Don Garlits at his Drag Racing Hall of Fame. The 17-time champ wasn't there, but left a note for me to "check out some real horsepower. Those breeders ride with one horse between their legs. In my Swamp Rat dragsters I had my thighs around 800 horses or more, ready to explode at any second." 10-4, Big Daddy, you win.

P.S. I ran into NASCAR Sprint Cup team owner Ray Evernham at Big Daddy's, escorted by driver/employee/girlfriend Erin Crocker. They didn't want me to take their picture, so here's one of Garlits' rides instead.

Ryan McGee

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