Nick’s Picks: Colonial Downs picks September 1, 2023

  • userNick Hahn
  • dateSeptember 1, 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

Staying with what’s been profitable.  Stay out of trouble with Nick’s double.  CALL IT— Race 6, $2 Double 1,2 with 5, 10 (Costs $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

2ROYAL SPYOn dirt, curious spot to run a Virginia-bred after winning as a favorite, so seeking Albert interest #2.
7NAKED AND FAMOUS
3SAN COSTANTINO

RACE 2

8KOBE’S SMILEBoniface filly may have enough experience and just enough class to graduate in this group.
1VANA BRIGHT
5SHOPPINGAT BLOOMIES

RACE 3

1ERLANOn dirt, where one here has a recent decent start on Colonial’s firm other surface, that a win for Villalobos.
6SUMO
9CHARGING AERO

RACE 4

5INTREPID DAYDREAMOn dirt again, an assemblage of six fillies in a $90,000 AOC with no previous Colonial starts.
3BRAGANZA
2BENEATH THE STARS

RACE 5

9UNCLE ANDREWIs Indefatigable indefatigable after last week’s win? “Blue” #3 seeks to be first to three wins here, but prefer others.
4SLIPPIN JIMMY
7INDEFATIGABLE

RACE 6

2NO ONE TO BLAMETrombetta reseats Rosado aboard Laurel winner in a field where nearly all go an extra furlong.
1FLOP SHOT
6SCANNO

RACE 7

5ADIOS GARYSome of the more classier performers here really haven’t seen Colonial turf, opening the door for longer angles.
10COVERT KAT
6FREESTANDING

RACE 8

6STARLIFTERSchoenthal and Desormeaux both had a near-miss at a mile in first Colonial start.  Not much separates #6 and #2.
2DUSTIN THE DIAMOND
8PIRATE RADIO

RACE 9

8RENNIEVeteran maiden just missed in Virginia MSW twice is proven over many here, so threat from class risers.
1BATTLE OF BASTOGNE
3CODE NAME

NICK’S 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: $439

COLONIAL’S HUGE COMMONWEALTH DRAW — Double-digit field s abound in Colonial’s Commonwealth champions day draw for Saturday, September 2.  The ten race card features five Virginia-restricted stakes and is a virtual homecoming of past stakes winners at Colonial Downs. 

Six races have over ten entries, many with wins earlier in the meet.  Those without wins square off in the maiden races, which have 14, 11 & 12, respectatively.  Scratches will happen but Colonial’s Saturday program will be special.

REMINDER:  Next week will feature an extra day of racing on Wednesday, September 6th.

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

Today it’s… Donate Life: Band or bred?

Last out: Barry Manilow’s Wardrobe is a spoof name for a Williamsburg eighties music band named after the  movie reference in The Breakfast Club.

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

Under a pigmented sky and flowing flags, Eclipse award winning jockey Irad Ortiz, Jr. returns Boldor to the winner’s circle at Colonial Downs after winning the 2022 Meadow Stable. Boldor is entered to defend his title Saturday, September 2 with Colby Hernandez up. Photo by Nick Hahn.

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