by Nick Hahn
Nick’s Notes
Let your patriotism show at the windows by backing these special Independence Day picks. There’s JD’s Firecracker and Keeping the Honor in the second. Sixties Americans were free to endorse Makelovenotwar and so can you in the third. 
Defenders of our freedom Aim to Win, as does Jerry Roadcap in the 4th tonight. On the 150th anniversary of the Battle of Gettysburg, there’s Blue and Grey in the fifth, as well as First Speaker, who for a time was Abraham Lincoln, the author of the Gettysburg Address. Brahms Bracelet and Let’s Drink On It both start today at Colonial Downs but fortunately they are not in the same race. The pair connected in a dead heat two weeks ago.
Come back Saturday evening for the Commonwealth Turf Festival. The two year old $50,000 Jamestown stakes has 9 slated in it including Long On Value bred by Snow Lantern Thoroughbreds. Miss Oil has been on the podium twice for the $50,000 Oakley and returns to win the turf sprint for fillies and mares. In the Rough has been the first runner up in the mile and a sixteenth Brookmeade the last two years. Trainer Kelly Breen passed up a Monmouth stake to win it this year. Last year’s winner of the Bert Allen, Dannhauser ,wants to win it again. Ferris Allen starts Virginia Cavalier in the mile and a sixteenth stake named after his father. Stephanie Nixon’s Boltin’ Out will try to win his thrid straight in the $50,000 Punch Line.
Nick’s Picks
| RACE 1 | ||
| 8 | R BUCKLE | Look for a stretch duel to set up on the mounts of a veteran & rookie jockey. |
| 3 | PORTAMENTO | |
| 7 | IDEOLOGIST | |
| RACE 2 | ||
| 8 | CRYIN’ RYAN | “Firecracker” on the 4th of July? Perhaps, but “Ryan’s” CNL record stands out. |
| 6 | CONRAD CROSSING | |
| 1 | J D’S FIRECRACKER | |
| RACE 3 | ||
| 1 | MAKELOVENOTWAR | Last time Allen’s pupil had the outer post, now he gets the rail, and Karamanos. |
| 13 | LIL’ MISTER MASON | |
| 7 | POINT MAKER | |
| RACE 4 | ||
| 3 | PACK A PUNCH | Some horses seem to rise up and run well at Colonial, like Nagle’s “Punch”. |
| 8 | AIM TO WIN | |
| 7 | COPPER COOPER | |
| RACE 5 | ||
| 2 | FIRST SPEAKER | Blue and Grey is the karma pick, but actual grey in the field stretches out. |
| 8 | OUT PLAYING | |
| 4 | LASTOFTHEBEARFEET | |
| RACE 6 | ||
| 1 | ELTISH CHARMER | “Queen” won a race in Poland, but not in five CNL outs. “Charmer” shortens. |
| 7 | QUEEN OF LEGENDS | |
| 5 | LADY ARTEMIS | |
| RACE 7 | ||
| 9 | LOVE HERO | Feliciano with 50% winners at CNL looks capable to return to winner’s circle. |
| 8 | TRAPPE D’OR | |
| 2 | DRESSED UP | |
| RACE 8 | ||
| 5 | SECRET SIGNAL | Boniface ready to break maiden with class drop. Lyons mare getting close. |
| 4 | SAVANAH’S MISSION | |
| 1 | VIRGINIA ROSE | |
| RACE 9 | ||
| 4 | BELLA PROMESSA | Can either of Johnson’s pair get the mile? “Bella” is proven for Nagle. |
| 1 | HARBINGEROFTHINGS | |
| 5 | BLUE ANGEL EXPRESS | |
| RACE 10 | ||
| 8 | MAMASAN | If “Cabochon” wins please put a helmut on KDG but Mamasan has the class. |
| 2 | MO DIDN’T KNOW | |
| 9 | EMILY’S CABOCHON | |
| RACE 11 | ||
| 1 | MARVEY MARLEY | Woodberry’s mare ran well at 1&1/16th here. Now faces 2 CNL winners. |
| 7 | LOST RESOLVE | |
| 3 | ASIAN INVASION | |
