THE ASPIRING HORSEPLAYER

Taking a brief moment away from the horse racing coverage here, which you can obviously tell was a bit lacking this weekend.  There was a good reason for that, though.  As a native son of Alabama, my feelings were completely wrapped in the hopes and dreams of my beloved Crimson Tide football team.  They were up against it this weekend, against that old SEC nemesis Florida, the one team over the years that seemed to have the Tides number in championship games, having won 4 of the 6 title fights between the teams headed into Saturday’s Thrilla in Manilla style battle of the unbeatens.  It was #1 against #2, and #2 had a statement to make!

Those of you who have run into me at the track throughout the years are aware of my passion for the Tide football team.  As a son of Alabama by birth, there are fewer things in life that give me more hometown pride than seeing our football team return to its rightful place atop the rankings of college football’s most storied programs and traditions.

As a diehard fan, and as a superstitious horseplayer, I’ve developed an affinity for a lucky Bama hat that is now a staple of my raceday and gameday attire.  I’ve worn the cap for each of the 13 victories for the Tide this year.  Apart from that, the hat was firmly on my head for many special moments in racing, including Rachel Alexandra’s victories in the Preakness, Mother Goose, and Haskell, as well as Zenyatta’s victory in the Breeders’ Cup Classic.  That’s a helluva lucky hat, isn’t it?  Also a helluva year, if I may say so.

It must be magic, as it seems every time I put the thing on, dreams come true.

The closest two calls of the year came against the rival Tennessee Volunteers and the Auburn Tigers.  Two games which I was only able to get my trusty Bama hat on my head after things had become somewhat in doubt.  Or, if you recall my Michael Caine quotes from A Bridge Too Far following the Preakness, “right on shed-yule.”  Both times, with said hat resting in its rightful position, the Tide was able to rise to the occasion and find a way to win.  Terrance Cody would make the now famous “Rocky Block” play against the Volunteers, while Roy Upchurch would catch the game winner on the final drive against Auburn.

And to think, just 3 years ago Alabama was the joke of most sports reporters.  Nick Saban was vehemently denying that he would be the next Alabama coach, and the team was seemingly imploding and hitting rock bottom.  We wound up getting Saban, and over 92,000 people packed the house to see our A-Day spring game in 2007.  In the words of Alan Iverson “we talkin about practice!”

Now here we stand just 3 years later atop the most dominant conference in college football.  The redemption theme of the victory seeming to invoke memories of  the magic of the 1992 championship game victory against the #1 Miami Hurricanes.  Back to back top recruiting classes in the nation, along with another top five class this year suggesting that not only have the Tide arrived, but they’re likely bound to stay for a while.

The road to the SEC championship once again rides through Tuscaloosa.

On a related note, and for those who love a good coincidence, take a look at the sire of the horse who won the Bayakoa at Hollywood Park this weekend.  You guessed it.  Crimson Tide!

How’s that for a hunch play?

We’ve still got one game left though before mythical national championship #13 resides in Title Town.  Up ahead await Texas and Colt McCoy.  I’m sure that if Texas hears for the next month about how they’ve got no shot against Alabama, they’ll come into this game with a chip on their shoulder and make this game a war.  They bring a defense with them and an electrifying quarterback, wide receiver combination in McCoy and Jordan Shipley.

The key will be whether Alabama listens to all the experts who insist they cannot lose.  If there’s one lesson we should learn from toppling the mighty Gators, it’s that any team that focuses it’s energy and resolves to want the victory more than the next guy can rise up and get the job done.  Thankfully, with Saban at the helm, I expect the tide to come out and take care of business.

Alabama. Texas.  The Rose Bowl.  Pasadena.

Should be a good one here for the championship.  And if you’re just getting to watch Alabama for the first time, allow me to formally introduce you to the most lovable cast of kids you’ve ever seen.  From Mt. Cody to Ingram.  From Julio Jones to McClain.  From our much criticized quarterback Greg McElroy, who rose to the challenge in his biggest game.

It’s rollin baby!!!!!  Can you feel it?

One last time for the newly minted SEC champions!

ROLLLLLLLL TIDE!!!!

Been waiting 10 years to say that.  :-)

Now don’t even get me started on the Heisman talk.  Stop me if this argument sounds familiar, racing fans.  Do we give the award as some kind of lifetime achievement award to a player like Colt McCoy?  Or do we go with the consistent player who had his biggest night in the biggest game of the year – Mark Ingram and his 100 yd, 3 TD performance against the #1 ranked defense in the nation that had only surrendered 3 rushing touchdowns all year headed into the SEC title game?  Not to mention that game changing 69 yard screen pass reception on the first play from scrimmage following Florida’s touchdown that made it 12-10 in the 2nd quarter?

I think you know where my sentiments are.

Mark Ingram – strike a pose.  This Heisman’s for you.