Editor’s Note:

We are heading into the final day of the “Churchill Downs Challenge Cup,” between the affable, young, and talented Dennis Trusty and the grumpy old man Geno. And, we have some work to do to catch up to the young whipper snapper. He leads us in total wins by and is up by about a furlong as we head into the stretch run in total cash won.

Including the Stakes races at Saratoga on Saturday, I have gone a paltry 11-for-44. I’m winning at a very disappointing .25%. Dennis, on the other hand, has gone 13-for-44. That’s a win rate of .29.5. But, I will say this, as I look for excuses galore. Dennis as “scratched in” to 4 wins and I have only “scratched in” for 1 win. That’s the damn difference right there. My runner-up spots have not been up to par.

Also…

Also…if you watched the G1 Belmont Stakes on Saturday? I nailed the exacta. I loved Commandment, and I boxed with my KY Derby upset pick, Golden Tempo, to nail a very nice $55 exacta for every $1 played correctly. I had more than the minimum. Just writing away here.

A man’s got to have some excuses in this game. Right?

And, something to hold onto. Right?

And, we are holding out hope for a major rally today. It just may come down to today’s 6th race — the Leslie’s Lady Stakes — when the highly touted Explora faces a top field that includes Brad Cox’s winner of the Eight Belles Stakes in One Time Girl. I have to admit, after I saw that Dennis went with Bob Baffert (Ugh), I went with my main man, Brad Cox. I’m going all in on One Time Girl.

So, here’s today’s head-to-head competition.

If Dennis wins — he beats me out of $100. Cash on the barrel head.

If I rally to topple the whipper snapper? I write a check for $100 to the Churchill Downs Backside Foundation.

A winner either way.

It has been great.

Here we go.

Sun
Trusty McLean Results Wins Paid Margin
1 9 6-7-5-8
2 4 5-1-4-7
3 3 9-2-1-8
4 1 7-1-8-4
5 7 1-7-11-2
6 3 3-6-1-7
7 8 8-5-6-1
8 6 7-2-6-3
9 10 10-1-2-3

Good Luck & All the Best / Gene