Nick’s Picks: Colonial Downs picks August 3, 2023
The Biz- August 3, 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.
Nick’s Picks Play of the Day
Being in travel mode, Nick’s Play of the Day results may be delayed. Staying on doubles while earning some bank, let’s keep you in suspense with the Late Double. CALL IT—Race 8, $2 Daily Double 7, 12 with 4,7 (Costs $8).
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.
CHECK OUT THE LATEST OFF TO THE RACES RADIO!
RACE 1
| 7 | MORE THAN FIVE | Weird to see so many shippers to Colonial on the dirt. Stidham, Shug and Steve are capable here. |
| 3 | OHANA HONOR | |
| 5 | XCELLENT MEN |
RACE 2
| 3 | MINE RUN | The double on the dirt, a speedy duel could emerge between recent winners. #3 connex are 3 Rs: Ross, Russell, and Rocco. |
| 5 | FEUILLETON | |
| 6 | DAGDA |
RACE 3
| 5 | IMMORTAL LION | Two Colonial landmark winners from decades ago are feature sires of #4 and #5 Shug colt #2 sharp in Fair Hill work. |
| 2 | COBBLESTONE BRIDGE | |
| 4 | SAINT HELIER |
RACE 4
| 14 | NINETEENAMENDMENT | LJ and Trombetta #4 having a solid meet. Look for their filly off the AEs. Otherwise, go Nagle #7 shortening up. |
| 7 | LA BEFANA | |
| 2 | CHICKAHOMINY |
RACE 5
| 9 | AMOR SALVAJE | Trainer adds new rider Gallardo to a recent claim #9 that was on the soft going last time out. Better today. |
| 10 | PALACSINTA | |
| 2 | APRIL FIRST |
RACE 6
| 7 | DETERMINED JESTER | Both AEs impactful here if drawing in. giving an edge to Schoenthal, who also has a solid filly in ’22 Rosie’s winner #7. |
| 5 | CIRCLE HOME | |
| 13 | DETERMINED CHARM |
RACE 7
| 2 | KING VEGA | Prior Colonial stakes winners square off, with Motion’s Buckland winner #2 in first ’23 start vs. Eppler’s #6. |
| 8 | HARLAN ESTATE | |
| 6 | PASSION PLAY |
RACE 8
| 12 | BOFFO KID | Getting to a point in the meet where second starts are more favorable, especially after winning the first start. |
| 7 | KNOCKHOLT | |
| 11 | HOMETOWN HERO |
RACE 9
| 7 | COVERT KAT | A 10-horse field on the dirt for many coming off the turf, Country Life’s four-year-old #7 after a win. |
| 4 | TAPIO | |
| 8 | BOMBOLONI |
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: $21,003
- Pick 6: $6,056
BREEDER OF THE BEST — Peggy Augustus, a Virginia Hall of Fame horsewomen, passed away on July 30. That was seven years to the date after the last horse she bred, Stellar Wind, bettered Beholder to win the 2016 Grade 1 Clement Hirsch Stakes at Del Mar.
Stellar Wind would also win the Hirsch the following year on the same date to bookend a period of time where Stellar Wind was right there with Beholder and Songbird at the top of the filly-and-mare division. Co-bred by Augustus’ Keswick Stables and Stonestreet, Stellar Wind won five of her six starts during that run and earned laurels as Top Midlantic-bred in 2015 and 2017.
BAND OR BRED? Is it the name of a horse? Or the name of a band?
Today it’s… Colin Phils: Band or bred?
Last out: Eddie From Ohio is a northern Virginia band formed in 1991 with regional appeal and a loyal following. The band stopping touring in 2022.
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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