Nick’s Picks: Colonial Downs picks August 11, 2023
Nick Hahn- August 11, 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
Having stumbled into enough doubles to strike, I’m emboldened to take a shot at the Pick 6 with a 15% takeout. Look for the 4th race AE with #12 Queen Aiko to start it off. CALL IT—Race 4, $1 Old Dominion Pick 6, 5,12 with 5,10 with 8,9 with 4 with 1,8 with 3,4,8 (Cost $48)
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
| 3 | RIVER CITY ROCKER | A mile and a sixteenth on the dirt is foreign to everybody here, so prefer the class droppers here. |
| 5 | VOODOO PRIESTESS | |
| 2 | NOBLE ATTITUDE |
RACE 2
| 6 | COOLKID | Turf sprinting maidens force bettors to study breeding. Don’t expect two-year-olds to pass each other much. |
| 2 | LOVE IN MAY | |
| 1 | NOBLE ONE |
RACE 3
| 1 | JEBY | Danner maiden #1 drops into claiming ranks after pitted against tougher foes in Florida and good CNL opener. |
| 8 | BLIND EYE | |
| 2 | KAMIKAZE FOX |
RACE 4
| 12 | QUEEN AIKO | Look for Queen Aiko off the AEs. Otherwise like #5 for Angel Rod, the all around horseman, improving. |
| 5 | FLUFFY | |
| 1 | PERTURB |
RACE 5
| 10 | GREAT BRITAIN | Lots of talent up for claim but like the recent consistency of English Channel gelding #10. |
| 5 | SCANNO | |
| 3 | SEVEN CHANNELS |
RACE 6
| 9 | HIDDEN VASE | Danner has been spotting a Colonial start for this maiden filly #9 for weeks with Missy not far behind. |
| 8 | MISSY BOSS | |
| 5 | CALL ANOTHER PLAY |
RACE 7
| 4 | SINGALONG | Klesaris having a great Colonial honeymoon gets Special K on an improving Tonalist filly #4. |
| 8 | SATISFIED | |
| 3 | LOOKIN AT KISSES |
RACE 8
| 1 | CASTAGNO | If claimers can run back to previous efforts, then Castagno should prevail here. He’s shown that before. |
| 8 | NOBLE CONQUEST | |
| 3 | VINTNER |
RACE 9
| 3 | LUCA DREW THE ACE | July 11th, 2022, Special K and Luca team up to a $105.20 win ticket and likely the largest exacta in CNL history. Shhh! |
| 4 | HERD IMMUNITY | |
| 8 | MY BOY BLUE |
STEEPLECHASE RACES (prior to main card, non-wagering events)
RACE 10
| 1 | RISK TAKING | New career for former Withers winner and Preakness starter. Jumps will be new but all maidens here. |
| 3 | BE YOURSELF | |
| 4 | PRESS PAUSE |
RACE 11 – RANDOLPH ROUSE S.
| 4 | MET IN MIAMI | A near miss at Percy Warner after a win earlier this spring makes Dalton rematch of several redeeming. |
| 3 | BERCASA | |
| 7 | DURRAGH |
RACE 12
| 8 | NEW APPOINTMENT | In large fields, Brion mare has had respectable placings except for last outing and rider Mell will finish well. |
| 6 | SEISMIC WAVE | |
| 7 | BALTIMORE KID |
NICKS’ NOTES
HEADING TO THE TRACK? Print a PDF of Nick’s Picks so you’re ready to make some money.
TODAY’S CARRYOVERS
- None
TITLES UNDECIDED — Just as we thought jockey Horacio Karamanos was drawing off in the jockey standings, something we’ve seen so many times before, Antonio Gallardo and Mychel Sanchez have drawn even, all with 13 wins, just two ahead of Jorge Ruiz.
The trainers’ race is nearly equally contentious. Michael Trombetta leads with six wins, followed by Mark Casse with five wins and Michael Stidham and Kelsey Danner with four apiece.
BAND OR BRED? Is it the name of a horse? Or the name of a band?
Today it’s… Strawberry Moon: Band or bred?
Last out: Good Shot Judy is a Williamsburg-based jazz band named after the mother of two of its members. When playing golf, an enthusiastic friend would shout, “Good Shot Judy” and the name stuck.
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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