Notre Dame - Alabama reminds me of Cigar and Skip Away

Alabama and Notre Dame, the wait is finally over. In probably the most anticipated college football game so far of the 21st century, the top two ranked teams in the nation, and two of the most storied programs in the history of the sport, will square off in tonight’s BCS National Championship Game. Alabama is the defending champion and the clear favorite. Last year, they used a stifling defense to dominate fellow SEC member, LSU, in the title game. Meanwhile, and despite all of its history, Notre Dame is the upstart. The Golden Domers are playing for their first title in 24 seasons, but enter the game on an impressive win streak that has seem them improve greatly since the season began. I, like millions of others, will be tuned in with interest tonight at 8:00 PM ET on ESPN to watch the showdown. Being the thoroughbred fanatic that I am, though, I also have a bit of an equine take on the whole affair. Tonight’s Notre Dame vs. Alabama reminds me of a big race between a couple of titans of the turf, the incomparable Cigar, and the iron horse, Skip Away.

Like Alabama, Cigar entered the 1996 Jockey Club Gold Cup as the overwhelming favorite. In 1995, he had dominated the national racing landscape like few horses have in the past quarter century. Much like the Tide, he rolled through his competition in such a way that left little doubt as to who was the best. His effortless victory in the Breeders’ Cup Classic made him the obvious Horse of the Year. 1996 had begun for Cigar like 1995 ended. Overpowering performances kept the Bill Mott trainee as the unanimous number one ranked horse in America. But just as Alabama had their stumble against Texas A&M and Johnny Football, Cigar had his Dare and Go at Del Mar. The loss for both Alabama and Cigar came as a shock to most, but did little to shake peoples’ ultimate belief in their quality. Just as Alabama rebounded from the loss like a champion, Cigar shook off his West Coast failure to outclass his opposition in the Woodward Stakes. There was no doubt going in that he was the horse to beat in the Jockey Club Gold Cup.

Like Notre Dame, Skip Away had his moments, but also his struggles. While Notre Dame’s ups and downs have lasted a few dozen years, the grey son of Skip Trial had already gone through a lot in his first two seasons on the track. Just as the Irish showed signs of turning it around last year under new coach, Brian Kelly, Skippy showed promise, but closed 1995 with a juvenile season largely unfulfilled. As Notre Dame became nationally prominent again in year two for Kelly, it was in his second season for trainer, Sonny Hine, that Skip Away really started to flourish. A six length win in the Blue Grass was his own big win on the road against Oklahoma. He endured a long, tough season, and was not always at his very best, but the wins started to add up. The Ohio Derby, Haskell, and Woodbine Million were impressive, and fans began to see him as a real championship contender, but very similar to what Notre Dame has faced of late, most seriously doubted whether he could really knock off Notre Dame.

On race day, October 5, 1996 at Belmont Park, Skip Away was let go at nearly 6-1, while the defending champ was pounded down to 1-5. Both horses had to chase the pesky front runner, Louis Quatorze, but neither Cigar, nor Skip Away, would allow the party to be crashed by the talented speedster. Skip Away was always ahead of the favorite, but as the wire approached, Cigar made one final surge. It wasn’t easy, but in the end Skip Away showed he belonged and pulled off the upset, holding off Cigar by a determined head. I’m not sure if all this is a good sign for Notre Dame tonight, but at the very least, we can all hope that the BCS National Championship is half as exciting as the 1996 Jockey Club Gold Cup.