Nick’s Picks: Colonial Downs picks July 27, 2023
Nick Hahn- July 27, 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
The doubles have treated me best so far this meet, so sticking with the bet but changing the race to place it. CALL IT—Race 5, $2 Daily Double 4,7 with 2,10 (Costs $8).
CHECK OUT THE LATEST OFF TO THE RACES RADIO!
RACE 1
| 5 | SHARDS | First of 3 consecutive 2-year old races. Quality sire helps trainer Danner (#5), who wins first and last races on the card. |
| 2 | TOK TOK | |
| 8 | BELTANE |
RACE 2
| 3 | GLENBROOK GERRY | On dirt, it could be the Danner double with #3. Bright shirts (see pic of the day) have been fast in the mornings. |
| 6 | MARCUS GIFT | |
| 7 | CHACHACHING |
RACE 3
| 7 | MR. LEFTY | Outside posts prominent with Maker & Desormeaux, but like EL Prado as damsire of 2nd-time starter #7. |
| 6 | SKELLIG ISLAND | |
| 8 | DUSTIN THE DIAMOND |
RACE 4
| 3 | VOCALIZE | Vocalize has recent win to go with CNL win last year versus Pompay bookends in the starting gate. |
| 7 | POINT LIAM | |
| 1 | JETAROS |
RACE 5
| 7 | AFANDI | Chambeau looks to be meet’s first two-time winner versus four others in the field with Colonial wins. |
| 4 | HOLLYWOOD WALK | |
| 5 | CHAMBEAU |
RACE 6
| 2 | COLOR CRUSH | It’s been a while since Allen’s mare #2 won at CNL but ran well at this level on opening day. It’s time. |
| 10 | WILLAKIA | |
| 9 | YOUENS |
RACE 7
| 6 | NIBBLES | Karma I hope everyone understands: Nibbles is the same name as my cat. Ashby #5 seeks meet’s first repeater. |
| 3 | PANOTTI | |
| 1 | BALI KUTA |
RACE 8
| 6 | ARTEMUS BRIDGE | Klesaris, having a great first meet at Colonial, starts #6 after a layoff with early speed and kick. |
| 9 | JOE PHILLIPS | |
| 7 | SAVVY LAYLA |
RACE 9
| 13 | BRIGHT MOON | Field of fourteen maidens has first-timers, veterans and Russell dropping #13 in class for Morgan’s Ford. |
| 4 | BLUE TWIRLIN | |
| 12 | BEER BALI |
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 6: $2,927
ANGEL ACCOMPLISHMENT — In the 15-year career of trainer Angel Rodriguez, few wins, if any, may have been more rewarding than Saturday’s triumph of Sassy Beast in the $150,000 Andy Guest Stakes.
Sassy Beast moved to 2nd on the earnings list of Rodriquez, who can be seen early in the mornings galloping his own horses. David Cardoso delivered the $30.80 winner on Saturday.
Sassy Beast has eight wins from 19 career outings to go with more than $277,000 in earnings. Rodriguez owns as well as trains the mare by The Big Beast.
BAND OR BRED? Is it the name of a horse? Or the name of a band?
Today it’s… Covert Action: Band or bred?
Saturday: New Potato Caboose is a Virginia-based band named after a Grateful Dead song that has played for over four decades.
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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