Nick’s Picks: Colonial Downs picks August 19, 2023

  • userNick Hahn
  • dateAugust 19, 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

It wasn’t a big payday, but the double cashes once again returning $13.60 on a $8 wager.  I’ll keep riding doubles until it bucks me.  CALL IT—Race 2, $2 Double 2,4 with 1,7 (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

4PENZANCEOn dirt, Stidham sends #4 for first Colonial try, while Angel Rod’s interest #6 makes his second.
6CATALINA EXPRESS
3RIVOLI

RACE 2

4WORK HARDTwo-year-old maiden group includes Morgan’s Ford well-bred Audible colt #4, who ran well in first start.
2YAHMO
5WILMA FLINTSHIRE

RACE 3

7C MY MEISTERDanner’s Bodemeister #7 has been working at Colonial since before the meet.  Ruiz mount #1 won at CNL in ’22.
1JUST DEAL WITH IT
5GLOBAL SENSATION

RACE 4

4DETERMINED SAILNearly overlooked at the draw for opening day, Schoenthal’s filly #4 scored, 1 of 6 here that won last start.
7ATMIDNIGHT
6ZO LEE

RACE 5

2RUDDY BUDDYNice work off solid Colonial effort for Werneth colt #2.  Matz’s Kitten’s Joy #1 makes first start, in from Fair Hill.
1UNDERSTUDY KITTY
4DESTIN’S RAINBOW

RACE 6

5NEXT EPISODEOne “Determined” opponent bettered Saville’s Next Episode in last.  She’ll face two today but neither the same.
7DETERMINED CHARM
6MY BOSS LADY

RACE 7

8RENNIEExcept for first time starter Mansueto, the entire 9-horse field raced on August 5 at Colonial.
9CHEATIN SONG
6LOTHARIO

RACE 8

8FULL COUNT FELICIA2022 Virginia Oaks starter #8 won at Laurel in November, comes back to Colonial where she’s won before.
2CUPID’S STRIKE
4LALOBA FEROZ

RACE 9

11WHENIGETTOHEAVENFormer Colonial leading jockey Luis Garcia comes back seeking to stay undefeated on LJ’s gelding #11.
6VOCALIZE
8EMBOLDEN

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

SOME VIRGINIA DERBY EARLY ON —  Expect Secretariat Stakes winner Gigante to be nominated and return to run in the $500,000 Virginia Derby (G3) on Saturday, September 9.  Nominations for the  Virginia Derby close on Friday, August 25.

Secretariat runner-up Nagirroc is not expected to return for the Virginia Derby, however. But his trainer Graham  Motion does plan to send Dataman, the Bald Eagle Derby winner at Laurel on August 13.  Motion, who had a couple of horses run well without winning last weekend said that Dataman “saved our weekend.”

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

Today it’s… Wilma Flintshire: Band or bred?

Last out: More Than Looks is a three-year-old colt who won the Grade 3 Manila at Belmont Park in July.

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

Gigante winning the 2022 Kitten’s Joy Stakes at Colonial Downs by over six lengths on closing weekend with jockey Feargal Lynch aboard.  This year’s Kitten’s Joy is held on Virginia Derby Day, Saturday, September 9.
 

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