Nick’s Picks: Colonial Downs picks September 7, 2023
Nick Hahn- September 7, 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
One last double before angling for bigger game on the last two days. Going to the true late double. CALL IT— RACE 8, $2 Double, 7,9 with 3,9 (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!
| 1st Race | ||
| 1 | MALIBU RUMBLE | On dirt, some C’ville interests will “root” for this one, looking for gratis lunch at Outback. |
| 3 | VALENTIN C | |
| 6 | PAY THE SQUID | |
| 2nd Race | ||
| 7 | GAMBLING TZAR | Boffo Kid with a Colonial win in the meet and a likely big favorite but rested Morici gelding #7 has a chance on firm. |
| 1 | BOFFO KID | |
| 4 | GLOBAL SENSATION | |
| 3rd Race | ||
| 7 | TAKE YOUR POINT | May lament going against Casse’s English Channel #2 at Colonial, but Shug’s Hard Spun #7 may speed off. |
| 2 | ENDURING | |
| 8 | ARIEL MOON | |
| 4th Race | ||
| 4 | NOBLE CONQUEST | At five, Allen’s #4 is the youngest of eleven claimers entered and seems to be zeroing in on form. |
| 7 | PETIT FILS | |
| 8 | VOLTAMOUR | |
| 5th Race | ||
| 7 | INDEPENDENCEAVENUE | Delacour’s filly #7 showed a lot of heart in opening debut, an edge over first timers despite facing those well-bred. |
| 1 | STAR CRY | |
| 8 | STEAM KNOT | |
| 6th Race | ||
| 7 | STREET COPPER | A disappointment in last start, it’s known that Street Copper can do better. He holds a CNL track record. |
| 6 | VALENTINE BUG | |
| 9 | ROMP | |
| 7th Race | ||
| 11 | MOMENTOUS MISS | Woodberry’s mare #11 with recent starts at Colonial spread out have been solid. See another one today. |
| 5 | LADY ENSIGN | |
| 6 | GIRVINIZED | |
| 8th Race | ||
| 7 | BAIL OUT | Could be looking for a bail out this late in the card, but minor class drop and rest enough steer us to #7. |
| 9 | GRAEL | |
| 6 | FIGHTNOMOREFOREVER | |
| 9th Race | ||
| 9 | LEGENDARY PHANTOM | Good spot for Trombetta maiden #9 that has experience over most here. Danner colt #3 with similar resume. |
| 3 | SHARDS | |
| 7 | SIR MASON | |
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: $5,148
ANOTHER GIGANTE OPPORTUNITY — Gigante won the Grade 2 Secretariat Stakes from the two-hole and draws the number two post once again in Saturday’s G3 Virginia Derby. Cristian Torres takes the reins from Javier Castellano, and 10 others, including undefeated Saratoga Derby winner Program Trading, will face him.
After pulling off arguably the most impactful win in Colonial Downs history, where Virginia breeding met Virginia racing in a big way, what does Gigante do as an encore? Going a little further against a larger field, can he do it again?
REMINDER: First post on Thursday will be 1:25, rather than the normal 1:30.
BAND OR BRED? Is it the name of a horse? Or the name of a band?
Today it’s… The Wonder Years: Band or bred?
Last out: Jungle Fighter, with Horacio Karamanos abord, won the 2007 Kitten’s Joy in a sharp 1:41.80 for 1 1/16 miles.
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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