Nick’s Picks: Colonial Downs picks August 18, 2023

  • userNick Hahn
  • dateAugust 18, 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

Scratch-impacted double (next horse up) earned $26.80 on an $8 wager.  The doubles keep working, so no need to mess with happiness.  CALL IT—Race 3, $2 Double 2,10 with 2,10 (Cost $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

4SHUT IT CALIIn a summer when Cal Chrome gets HOF inducted, why not on a Cal Chrome filly #4 coming from synthetic and rested.
6BEDTIMEBOURBON
7JOYA DEL SUR

RACE 2

8MAKE MINE A STELLAMaybe biggest benefit from class drop, jockey switch and surface change will be McGoey filly #8.
11ALTER THE STARS
2PUSH

RACE 3

10BAYTOWN BAMA GIRLI’ve been accused of Fluffy before, but not back so quickly, so see July 7th start of McEntee West Coast filly #10.
2BOOMIN’ BELLE
1FLUFFY

RACE 4

10ULTIMATE MISSIONIf you like returning back fast there are plenty of options; if not, #10 fits the bill.
2ANDIE ONE
1SULLIVAN STREET

RACE 5

2PUTIN ONLINENagle’s First Dude gelding #2 had a solid first start at Colonial after a solid start at Laurel and comes back rested.
3LIGHTNING RIDGE
9BY THE SEY SHORE

RACE 6

3KING TSUNAMITen furlongs on the turf brings in steeplechasers or at least owners that think like one.  Note Del June 2 start.
5BE HERE
6TIBERIUS MERCURIUS

RACE 7

13GUN BOATWatch Shug’s AE entry, but if not Casse has one coming back to the turf where she won in her first start.
6PLAY THE MUSIC
4SOL HOPE

RACE 8

2VELOCEVeloce well clear of Candy Kingdom but no match for Artemus Bridge in respectable July start. 
10OFFICER COUNTRY
1TELEPHONE TALKER

RACE 9

7ALL I WANT IS YOUCorreas with two excellent chances led by filly from solid second at Colonial in July. 
8HOW SWEET SHE IS
4OCEAN SPIRIT

NICKS’ NOTES

HEADING TO THE TRACK? Print a PDF of Nick’s Picks so you’re ready to make some money.

TODAY’S CARRYOVERS

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SWITCHING LEADS AGAIN —  The race for the riding title switched again, with Antonio Gallardo moving back into the lead (Gallardo led after Colonial’s first day) with 17 wins on the meet. He is followed by Mychel Sanchez (16), and Horacio Karamanos (14), and Jorge Ruiz (13). 

After winning three August 12, including the Grade 2 Beverly D., Mark Casse has eight wins to lead all trainers. He is followed by Michael Trombetta (7) and Kelsey Danner (5).

BAND OR BRED? Is it the name of a horse? Or the name of a band?

Today it’s… More Than Looks: Band or bred?

Last out: It may sound like a band (part two), but Crowd Pleaser won the inaugural Virginia Derby held in the fall of 1998.

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

Irish-bred Fev Rover wins the first ever Grade 1 stakes at Colonial Downs on August 12th in the $500,000 Beverly D., earning a pink “Win & You’re In” entry into the Breeder’s Cup Filly and Mare Turf held at Santa Anita for trainer Mark Casse and his team. It was the second consecutive stakes win for jockey Javier Castellano. Photo by Nick Hahn.

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