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Churchill Downs picks for Friday (6/20)

0-for-1 on Thursday, with TOGETHER AGAIN finishing fourth at +2140 odds (missing the trifecta by a head). Our second choice MS DAREDEVIL finished second at +2667 odds (paying +613 odds to place), keying an exacta with our favored third choice CLOWNING AROUND that paid +4179 odds.

Churchill Downs - Race 2

#4 LONGSHOREMAN (6/5 ml)

I picked this Wesley Ward colt back on April 24 at Keeneland, when he got bet down to -114 odds before opening up a big lead in the stretch, only to get caught late by TOUGH CRITIC (who got sent to Royal Ascot after that race). Note that race was 5.5 furlongs, while this race is a bit shorter at 5 furlongs (a point where he still had the big lead last time). LONGSHOREMAN has looked good in recent training, looking best twice in a row over DIBLASI, who came out of those drills to win by 3 lengths at Saratoga a couple of weeks ago. I’m not expecting this one to be playable in the win pool today, but luckily we have a nice looking exacta partner.

#9 SIGNATORY MAN (4/1 ml)

I considered listing this Brendan Walsh first time starter on top for value purposes, as he’s looked very sharp in training and also appears to be a tough-minded colt. Seems a legit threat to the top pick at what will obviously be a much better price. I’m just not sure how smart it is to fade LONGSHOREMAN in this race, although SIGNATORY MAN appears to have clear talent, and I think these two may have the race over a barrel.

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David G. Cyr's avatar

The Red Sox shed themselves of a bad attitude AND salary. GREAT TRADE,

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Mut (Mike Mutnansky)'s avatar

We disagree, David. Tough trade and bad look for the team. But you have never been a Devers guy!

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David G. Cyr's avatar

I THINK AB IS A MUCH BETTER PLAYER THAN DEVERS

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Tom J's avatar

Great Read as always Mike.....I too have a Grass issue...but with my Grandkids LOL...my solution is a Piece of thin outdoor Astroturf for the batting box. To make it realistic and enticing ...I actually Spray painted the Batter's Box on the Turf ! It will mat down the grass, however you can pick it up when they are done and rake/fluff up the grass like new ! Just a thought from my years as a PE teacher ! Have a great summer

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Mut (Mike Mutnansky)'s avatar

Thanks, TJ. We have spray painted for football… I’m trying the Astroturf this week!

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Tom J's avatar

FYI. The Job Lot sells Gas Grill mats for like $10 that would be perfect ! Thin but firm. I saw them today. Good luck

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Jeremy Licciardo's avatar

Fucking Devers man. I said from the start giving $300,000,000 to a 3rd baseman who was quite literally the worst defensive 3rd baseman in the league, was a bad idea. Nolan Arenado makes about the same and he won 10 straight gold gloves, Chapman. Raffy has had a bad attitude, but a lot falls on Breslow for failing to effectively communicate and then trading him for a worse haul than the Mookie trade. Embarrassing but hey, Sox keep winning.

stay cool

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Mut (Mike Mutnansky)'s avatar

Yeah they’re a good team. But it was still a brutal trade. Bad week for Breslow!

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Jeremy Licciardo's avatar

For real, I am glad we're winning but he's gunna have to something big make up for this. like John Henry with 2 cigars big lol

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D Thomas Howell's avatar

The first guy to set up a lawn chair for a strike zone deserves a Nobel prize.

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Mut (Mike Mutnansky)'s avatar

We used a wheel barrel, DTH. With the two handles sticking up, and if the ball hit one of the two handles, it was a “bad called strike by the umpire”

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Picking Horses's avatar

LONGSHOREMAN won easily at -190 odds. SIGNATORY MAN missed the exacta by a length.

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Dan's avatar

Thanks for reminding me the bare spots (and bald spots) are worth it. I have two boys myself, and the lawn has been ravaged by them and dogs. But their happiness is worth it.

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Mut (Mike Mutnansky)'s avatar

I hear ya, Dan. It's a fair trade. And sometimes they let me jump in and embarrass myself!

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