Nick’s Picks: Colonial Downs picks August 25, 2023
Nick Hahn- August 25, 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
Definitely have found something here as yesterday’s double (Ballyhooly-Little G T) that ended in the sixth race paid $35.40 on a $8 wager. Keep it rockin’. CALL IT—Race 5, $2 Double 9,10 with 2,3 (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
| 4 | COSMICALITY | A chance for Allen to win the opener back-to-back days, this time on the dirt with a class dropper. |
| 1 | STARSTREET | |
| 9 | SHASTREE |
RACE 2
| 3 | GAMERUN | If a percentage player, Klesaris has cooled down to 50% winners. Tries to improve with class dropper on dirt. |
| 9 | KALINBA | |
| 4 | OVER THE BORDER |
RACE 3
| 7 | CARNELIAN | Performance edge to classy horse back on dirt facing a 3 time winner and solid Trombetta second timer. |
| 5 | FUTURE IS NOW | |
| 1 | YOU’RE THE ONE |
RACE 4
| 7 | MONEY IN MOTION | Still on the dirt with two-year-old maidens, many with solid starts but like Trombetta firster working well. |
| 1 | LINZER | |
| 2 | CLASSICAL JOKE |
RACE 5
| 8 | BIG TAP | First turf race of the day has two year olds many not so well in last start so dropping in class. |
| 4 | ARIUS | |
| 2 | COOLKID |
RACE 6
| 5 | IMMORTAL LION | Casse Kitten’s Joy colt may just needed a start and a class drop to set up this start, returns Special K. |
| 3 | COPPERLITE | |
| 7 | MISSION READY |
RACE 7
| 3 | TRANSIT | Like the six-year-olds here, especially rested Voss interest with underrated Boyce aboard. Ruiz mount off a win. |
| 2 | TELEPHONE TALKER | |
| 1 | MINT GAME |
RACE 8
| 6 | QUEEN’S GARDEN | After just writing of Boyce above, good to see that Shug has faith in her as well, back at same level after rest. |
| 1 | ZIPADOO | |
| 9 | CREATIVELY |
RACE 9
| 13 | JEBY | Usually not a fan of quick returns but nearly everyone here has an August start, small class drop helps Jeby. |
| 7 | HARNESS CREEK | |
| 2 | SWING SAMMY |
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: $1,412
TURF ISN’T BROKEN — However, you might think so as the first four races today are slated on the dirt. Only once in Colonial’s history have more races been scheduled on the dirt that on the turf.
RUIZ YOUR DAY—If you didn’t find jockey Jorge Ruiz early in the day Thursday, your day might have been ruinized as the hot rider won three of the first five races including a sweep of the daily double. Ruiz sits third in the rider jockey standings with 19 wins, behind Antonio Gallardo (23) and Mychel Sanchez (20).
BAND OR BRED? Is it the name of a horse? Or the name of a band?
Today it’s… Ban Caribe: Band or bred?
Last out: While there is a duet in Ohio named Love Sign, the answer sought is the multiple Grade 1 Virginia-bred stakes winner bred by the Clark family in the late seventies.
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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