Big Fresno Fair horse racing: Day 5 selections

Bee editors and horse players Kenny Lewis and Dave Cooper are going head-to-head with a bankroll battle during The Big Fresno Fair, which continues its nine-day meet at 1:45 p.m. Monday. Each started with a hypothetical $500.

Exacta Kenny says

Sunday: Lost $60 when Marino’s Wild Cat finished off the board in Race 7.

Bankroll: $746

Today: Columbus Day has arrived, which means only one thing: Live racing at the fair! I urge you to skip school, work or a day on the couch. I’m sorry that I cannot provide you a doctor’s note.

The bet: Let’s head to the finale (Race 7) for our play of the day. No. 3 Unusually Big (9-2) enters with a very similar pattern to last fall when he scored a thrilling victory by a nose of front of the Valley throng. This 5-year-old should still have something in the tank, and his competitors look modest. $50 win/place on the 3. $10 exacta box with No. 5 Hock (5-1), who could be dangerous if he gets a lonely lead

Note to Dave: I’ve doubled you up through four days, brother. The way things have been going for you, I’m guessing your pick will be taking the holiday off today.

Dimer Dave says

Sunday: Lost $150 when Distinctive B finished third as the heavy 1-5 favorite in Race 7.

Bankroll: $288

Today: Trying to get at least a little creative, with my not-so-friendly rival rolling me up and smoking me, I’m turning to what hopefully will hold as a decent price in the third in Presidentsky (4-1). Here’s hoping the distance will continue to be to his liking (a first and a second in three lifetime starts).

The bet: $30 across on the No. 4 Presidentsky.

Note to Kenny: So, yes, it was tempting to go with the hunch play (No. 1 Katy in Cahoots) in Race 6. The way I’ve been going through the first four days of the meet, it’s probably not a bad idea but I’ll wait one more before hitting the panic button.

This story was originally published October 8, 2017 at 4:27 PM with the headline "Big Fresno Fair horse racing: Day 5 selections."