Nick’s Picks: Colonial Downs picks August 2, 2023
Nick Hahn- August 2, 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 $2 Double that started in Thursday’s (June 27) fifth race with Larry Johnson’s Hollywood Walk and concluded with Willakia cashed for $36.60 on Thursday on an $8 wager. Doubles have been working for me. CALL IT—Race 2, $2 Daily Double 2,6 with 2, 6 (Costs $8).
CHECK OUT THE LATEST OFF TO THE RACES RADIO!
RACE 1
| 9 | OUTFACTORED | See the very last race at Colonial? Godsey horse #9 won’t be 58-1 today. Opening weekend scratch returns. |
| 1 | TEARDROP TIARA | |
| 4 | BUBBLING UP |
RACE 2
| 6 | JUBILEE BRIDGE | Spots carefully picked by Stidham for his talented mare #6 have been rewarded with solid finishes. |
| 2 | TRAFFIC SONG | |
| 1 | JOIN THE DANCE |
RACE 3
| 6 | MOONSHINING | McGoey found something in a turf sprint, as #6 a contender to be the meet’s first repeat winner. |
| 2 | AMUNET | |
| 7 | JOYA DEL SUR |
RACE 4
| 13 | JAYLEE | Watch for Jaylee off the AE list, otherwise look for Cooney newcomer and an elder mare to factor. |
| 11 | GATHER THE FACTS | |
| 10 | QUARANTINI |
RACE 5
| 9 | CONFER | Confer raced well on the Gulfstream synthetic after a win and now rested. Allen filly #3 could be first repeater. |
| 3 | SATISFIED | |
| 12 | LUCIDITY |
RACE 6
| 9 | GIANTSBANE | Nagle maiden #9 shortens and has shown some giddyup in the early states of routes. In a good spot here. |
| 4 | SWIFT DANCER | |
| 1 | DISPUTED CLAIM |
RACE 7
| 6 | GET THEM DIGITS | Even money doesn’t seem secure at this level for Tapit Brio when Allen lurks with another potential repeater in #6. |
| 4 | TAPIT BRIO | |
| 2 | THANK YA PETE |
RACE 8
| 9 | CARRONADE | Palio certainly fresh but giving McGoey #9 an edge with just a little classier colt at this distance. |
| 6 | PALIO | |
| 4 | ROUTE RUNNER |
RACE 9
| 5 | DETERMINED EMPIRE | Motion and breeder Moore together on compelling 1st time filly #12 against many with MSW starts. Using experience. |
| 1 | CREOLE | |
| 12 | LOVING LIFE |
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: $4,861
PLAY ON — With the longshot win of first-time starter Will I Play ($118.20 to win) in Thursday’s finale, trainer Karen Dennehy Godsey is tied in the trainer standings with Shug McGaughey, Michael Stidham, Michael Maker, Mary Eppler, Ham Smith and Sarah Nagle. They are all among a bevy of trainers with one win each.
The win was also the first in the US for British jockey Gavin Ashton. Godsey, the Eagle Point trainer, starts two-year-old first timer Outfactored in today’s opener, while Ashton has mounts in two other races.
BAND OR BRED? Is it the name of a horse? Or the name of a band?
Today it’s… Eddie From Ohio: Band or bred?
Last out: A grandson of Secretariat, Covert Action is a horse is residency at the State Farm Work Center with the James River Horse Foundation. (It’s acknowledged that there is a band in Pennsylvania also named Covert Action).
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.
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