Reagan and Sports Coincidences

I was really rooting for Smarty Jones on Saturday and hoped he would win the Belmont race. Now that I think of it, perhaps it is fitting that he lost. An outpouring of celebration would not have been appropriate on the day--just hours after--Reagan died. Instead, the reaction to the Belmont race was subdued with the winning jockey almost apologizing for his victory.

Also, if my memory serves me, the 1981 NCAA basketball championship game was played on the night following the afternoon assasination attempt on Reagan. I remember thinking that playing the game was inappropriate while the President's life was in jeopardy.

On a happier note, there is one other sporting event that I remember in which Reagan was involved in the celebration. In 1984, at the Firecracker 400 in Daytona, on July 4th, Richard Petty won his 200th race. In attendance, and there to congratulation the King was the President, Ronald Reagan. Reagan was the first sitting president to attend a NASCAR race. He was amazed at the side-by-side finish in which Petty nipped Cale Yarborough at the line! Thanks for being there Mr. President.