It’s official. Johnson wins.

Secretariat, Sea Biscuit, War Admiral, Seattle Slew, Affirmed, and now, add Chad Johnson to the list.

Chad jumped to the lead with a 100-meter head start and defeated Restore the Roar before an estimated 8,000 at River Downs yesterday. He later challenged Street Sense and/or Curlin to a future race. The last Bengal to race at River Downs, Cris Collinsworth, did not fare so will in a 1993 photo finish.

There’s no denying it, Johnson is fast. Seriously, it’s good to have some positive PR, for the Bengals and Feed the Children, Johnson’s charity du jour. He is a showman, right down to sporting his colors and number, ocho cinco, for the race. Chad even joked that his win would ignite a side career of stunts for charity. I have some ideas…

Chad can re-open the Purple People Bridge Climb for the Arthritis Foundation or he could hang-glide from the Carew Tower for Lupus.

Just when Cincinnati was feeling so frustrated, Chad pulls us out of the dregs and gives us hope yet. By my estimates, we’re only 8th or 9th now.
Frustrated Sports Cities

I’d like to add to the list of recurring nightmares mentioned in the article: Jerry Springer, Nick LeWhatever, and .500 or worse seasons.

Sure, we’ve had our share of frustrations, but now we have Chad Johnson defeating Restore the Roar. There is hope yet.