Nick’s Picks: Colonial Downs picks July 21, 2023
Nick Hahn- July 21, 2023
Nick’s Picks is back with Colonial Downs picks and analysis during the 2022 live meeting.
As he has done every year since Colonial Downs opened — all the way back in 1997 — Nick Hahn will share his picks and analysis, plus news and notes and opinions on the Colonial meet. There is no better guide to racing in New Kent than Nick Hahn!
This year’s Colonial Downs meet will feature some things that are new and some that are familiar. Familiar trainer faces include Colonial regulars Graham Motion, Karen Godsey, Kelsey Danner, Mike Tomlinson and Mike Trombetta, along with multiple leading trainer Michael Stidham.
On the jockey side, look for defending champion Jevian Toledo, who is looking forward to a busy summer in New Kent; Colonial’s all-time leading jockey Horacio Karamanos; Antonio Gallardo, a perennial top rider at Tampa Bay Downs in the winter months; Adam Beschizza; and Joe Rocco, Jr.
Nick’s Picks Play of the Day
Winners have proved to be elusive so far this year. Keeping it simple and staying determined. CALL IT—Race 1, $2 Daily Double 4,6 with 3,6 (Costs $8)
CHECK OUT THE LATEST OFF TO THE RACES RADIO!
RACE 1
| 6 | NOT AS LUCKY AS US | (On Dirt) Though off his ’22 meet-leading pace, jockey edge to Toledo. Allen’s #4 contests early. |
| 4 | OVER THE BORDER | |
| 2 | KALINBA |
RACE 2
| 6 | BESSIE BLUE | Baltimore Bob 4yo filly (#6) faced good talent last summer at CNL. Allen again with solid challenger #3. |
| 3 | SATISFIED | |
| 7 | HOPEFUL CURE |
RACE 3
| 4 | DOZEN DIAMONDS | Casse 2-year-old #4 got caught looking when the gates opened in her Belmont debut. Class drop helps. |
| 1 | WHITE HEAT | |
| 8 | TIDBIT |
RACE 4
| 2 | S. MUFFIN | Russell-sharpened #2 goes for 3 straight against solid group. |
| 7 | PERUVIAN LUCKY | |
| 6 | WHERE IS MIKE |
RACE 5
| 5 | SOUND THE CHARGE | Pino is back, not Mario but Michael, with a 5-year-old making ’23 debut after a couple of Parx wins. |
| 3 | BACKWOODS BOOGIE | |
| 9 | CELERITY |
RACE 6
| 2 | BEACH HOUSE | All of Beach House’s wins have been at CNL (3 of 10) and the 7-year-old arrives off bullet work. |
| 3 | POLISHED GAL | |
| 8 | EVER SO D’WILD |
RACE 7
| 11 | LILLY SIMONE | Magana mare won last 2 races with different jockeys since claimed for less than $8K. Toledo would be 3rd. |
| 3 | GOLDEN ISLE | |
| 9 | AWESOME APEAL |
RACE 8
| 3 | GRANDPA’S KID | Was once told to bet Lemon Drop Kids going 2 turns on the turf. Good advice, and #3 suits at 15-1. |
| 6 | SUBURBAN PRINCE | |
| 7 | LIGHTNING RIDGE |
RACE 9
| 5 | ALL I WANT IS YOU | Correas filly ships in from Keeneland and drops after gutty 4th at KEE to face several well-bred first timers. |
| 10 | PRACTICAL MISS | |
| 3 | CASSLEBLACK |
Steeplechase selections
| 10th Race – STEEPLECHASE 12:15 | ||
| 2 | GOOD BOY | McKenna 5-year old looks to avenge Colonial setback from last summer and finally gets a start. |
| 6 | THALEEQ | |
| 7 | KARL CARES | |
| 11th Race – STEEPLECHASE 12:50 | ||
| 2 | SEIZING THE DREAM | Foley has two wins this spring on Riverdee jumper trouble for others if on the front end, up in class today. |
| 7 | HIGH MOUNTE | |
| 9 | POTUS | |
NICKS’ NOTES
HEADING TO THE TRACK? Print a PDF of Nick’s Picks so you’re ready to make some money.
TODAY’S CARRYOVERS
- Pick 5: $33,318
- Pick 6: $1,324
VAN CLIEF HOMETOWN EDGE—Saturday’s Van Clief Stakes in named in honor of the Van Clief family in Charlottesville that bred 1947 Kentucky Derby winner Jet Pilot. There’s been a hometown edge to the 5 1/2-furlong turf sprint with winners such as Bay Eagle (Albemarle Stud), Rahy’s Chance (Foxcroft Farm), Princess Theorem (Dewberry), and two-time winner Frisky Thunder (Braeburn).
Not this year, though: Front Run the Fed is back to defend against this year’s field that doesn’t appear to have that local angle. Front Run the Fed is 5-1 on the morning line; the 5-2 favorite is the Pennsylvania-bred Witty, a half-brother to turf sprinting superstar Caravel.
BAND OR BRED? Is it the name of a horse? Or the name of a band?
Today it’s… New Potato Caboose: Band or bred?
Thursday: Bop was the three-time winner of the Punch Line between 2003-2005 who set track and world records sprinting on turf for trainer Mike Trombetta and owner Jonas Cash.
LISTEN UP! Off to the Races Radio is on every Saturday morning at 10:00 a.m.! You can find it:
- On ESPN Richmond (106.1 FM) for a two-hour program each Saturday during the Colonial meet and one hour thereafter straight through Breeders’ Cup!
- On ESPN Harrisonburg (106.9 FM and 1360 AM) for one hour each Saturday covering the Colonial Downs Thoroughbred meet and the Shenandoah Downs harness meet!
- On Baltimore Positive (1570 AM) every Saturday morning straight through Breeders’ Cup!
YOUNG FOGIE: Former Jockey Ryan Fogelsonger joins Off to the Races-Virginia at 10:30 a.m. each Saturday! He was the 2002 Eclipse Award winner as outstanding apprentice rider.
NICK’S PIC OF THE DAY
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