Nick’s Picks: Colonial Downs picks August 12, 2023
Nick Hahn- August 12, 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
Focusing on the features with a Pick 3. CALL IT—Race 8, $1 Pick 3, 2,3,4,6 with 1,6 with 2,8 (Cost $16)
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 | Z FIRST | Klesaris filly could be Z first double winner of Colonial’s meet. Gold Charm has the flat-jump double. |
| 4 | TRANSLATE | |
| 5 | BEACH HOUSE |
RACE 2
| 1 | YATTA | Solid first start on the soft Delaware turf for Motion two-year-old looking best prepared to stretch out. |
| 4 | BEYOND OSCAR | |
| 8 | SURPRENANT COCCA |
RACE 3
| 1 | HEAVENLY APPOINTED | Three-year-old Point of Entry filly #1 found Spa visit unproductive, gets Velazquez back aboard. |
| 5 | HECKLED | |
| 7 | BILOXI BLUES |
RACE 4
| 2 | KING COVEE | Like the locals to pull off an upset on a big day with a three-year-old that won’t be wide today. |
| 3 | INTEGRATION | |
| 1 | UTAH BEACH |
RACE 5
| 7 | JOLLY BY GOLLY | Ham’s recent winner #7 is more rested than many in this field looking to repeat |
| 12 | CARRONADE | |
| 9 | SMART STRIKER |
RACE 6
| 7 | STREET COPPER | Larry Johnson’s veteran #7 still holds the Colonial course record at a mile and faces recent Evans winner #2. |
| 2 | ALEX JOON | |
| 8 | GLIDER |
RACE 7
| 1 | BOUNCER | Look for Gallardo to take Casse three-year-old to the lead and where they start is where they finish. |
| 4 | TOP RECRUIT | |
| 5 | ON THE MARK |
RACE 8 – G2 Secretariat
| 3 | NAGIRROC | The potential duel with Mo Stash is a concern, but expect Nagirroc to be mature enough to handle it. |
| 6 | MAJOR DUDE | |
| 2 | GIGANTE |
RACE 9 – G1 Beverly D.
| 1 | FEV ROVER | Taking class over distance with Casse mare #1 now rested and on the backstretch for a while. |
| 6 | GINA ROMANTICA | |
| 2 | JAN’S GIRL |
RACE 10 – G1 Arlington Million
| 2 | NEVER EXPLAIN | Running anywhere back to Dinner Party effort will be enough for #2. Shug’s found luck with Cheminaud before. |
| 8 | CATNIP | |
| 7 | STRONG QUALITY |
RACE 11
| 8 | GALILEI | Well-connected Brookmeade winner #8 another candidate to bcome meet’s first repeat winner. |
| 4 | WATCH THIS BIRDIE | |
| 11 | FISH MOONEY |
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: $1,302
TWIN TURF TO ARLINGTON DOUBLES — Paddy O’Prado and Kitten’s Joy are the only two Virginia Derby winners to capture the Secretariat Stakes. Colonial Turf Cup winner Showing Up also won the Secretariat Stakes but skipped the Virginia Derby.
Gio Ponti didn’t win the Secretariat Stakes but is the only Virginia Derby winner to collect an Arlington Million win as an older horse. With the National Museum of Racing Hall of Fame Stakes (Carl Spackler) and Saratoga Derby (Program Trading) having been run at Saratoga within the last week, the Virginia Derby (G3) on September 9 looks to be well placed on the stakes schedule.
For more on the longstanding connections between Colonial Downs and the major Arlington Park races, please click here.
To read about two Pimlico track record-holders running this afternoon at Colonial, please click here.
BAND OR BRED? Is it the name of a horse? Or the name of a band?
Today it’s… Hardest Core: Band or bred?
Last out: Strawberry Moon played last night at the Get Tight Lounge in Richmond’s Fan District. There have been two horses have been named Strawberry Moon, but not this century.
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
LATEST NEWS
