Nick's Picks: Colonial Downs picks August 31, 2024 * The Racing Biz

Nick’s Picks: Colonial Downs picks August 31, 2024

The Biz
August 31, 2024

He’s probably the only public handicapper who’s ‘capped every race at Colonial Downs since Day One, and he’s back for more in 2024: Nick’s Picks returns with picks and analysis for every day of the Colonial meet.

DATE/POST TIME: August 31/ 1:30
RACES: 10
CARRYOVERS: Pick 6, $1,378

RACE 1

The five in this maiden field that get to take another bit at the Colonial maiden apple have an advantage over those who haven’t.

7. Oskar Martinez	Near miss in a route on the turf but showed speed that should work for five and half furlongs.
1. Contemplation	Nice first start on the turf in last start for Ross where he outfinished two in this field. Curtis returns to the mount.
5. Hobbs	Was just a tick behind Contemplation in his career debut.

RACE 2

On the dirt, the four first time winners collide in a sprint standing out in a field of eight two-year-olds.

2. My Charm	Russell’s filly wasn’t supposed to debut on the dirt but may stay on this surface a while after winning debut at Delaware.
1. Amalfi Drive	Stidham’s Medaglia d’Oro filly won easily in a four-horse field on the mud at Delaware and is fresh again.
8. Oliviera	Tough to repeat a double-digit length win off of eight days between starts but will run well enough again.

RACE 3

On the dirt again are eight in a field of “nonwinners of two other than” unless up for claim. Take better tested talent.

4. Golden Charm	Karamanos should find the lead aboard Albert’s filly who improved much between her three- and four-year-old year.
1. Sheilahs Warcloud	X-man hasn’t ridden many at Colonial this summer but has delivered on the ones he has, Will be charging late.
6. Give Me Kisses	Travers behind him, Repole starts a four-year-old filly out of the Brittany barn and adds blinkers.

RACE 4

Eight maiden females tackle a turf route again just like all, but the first time starter, has before.

2. H M Legacy	Stidham’s Hard Spun filly advanced in her second start in a big twelve-horse field. Curtis should find less traffic today.
1. Stratospheric	After two tough starts at Churchill, Blair’s filly saved ground around the Colonial oval with a finish better than her placing.
3. Americandreammaker	Off the layoff is a Santa Anita starter sired by American Pharoah coming East for her first Colonial start after going well in the morning.

RACE 5

In the $125,000 Jamestown, Cooney and Trombetta start a pair each in a field of seven two-year-olds.

2. Sail Theseven Seas	This maiden may have won the Keswick if not for the surprising charge of Winfinity. Karamanos should get a better trip today.
7. Virginia Fitz	May regret not making Cooney’s gelding the top pick returning Curtis off a maiden-breaking win in his debut.
3. War Humor	Out of the same race as Virginia Fitz’s win is Figgins’ gelding who was better than two others here in last start.

RACE 6

In the $150,000 Bert Allen, one of Colonial’s all time favorites, Passion Play, seeks his second Evans-Allen double.

11. Passion Play	In his tenth Colonial start, Eppler’s veteran looks for his third straight win despite not posting the best of Beyers.
1. Power Seeker	If you don’t mind the eight days between starts, Rice’s Saratoga shipper is tempting in his first turf try.
9. Sky’s Not Falling	Rested after racing early summer at Woodbine, Trombetta’s six-year-old is ready after coming back to Fair Hill.

NICK’S NOTES

Picks continue below.
Check out Nick’s Notes on today’s Virginia champions day here!
With Sheldon Russell in the irons, Reggie Runs Rogue, 3-5 at post time, polished off a field of three rivals to win Friday’s opener, an allowance for two-year-olds. The Roguish colt is now two-for-two. He’s a homebred for trainer Justin Nixon.
Liar’s Poker and Joe Rocco, Jr. posted a 10-1 upset in a second-level allowance/optional claimer. The four-year-old Genevieve Londono trainee is now four-for-six in his career.

RACE 7

The $150,000 Camptown Stakes features a reunion of the better players of the Andy Guest and Gilpin/Petty stakes earlier in the meet.

7. Mystic Seaport	Though the Gilpin/Petty was run and won on yielding turf, Ness’s filly has shown she can win on the firm going too.
1. Hollywood Walk	Colonial has been the site of this Trombetta mare’s better starts, and she may finally break through after a couple of near misses.
10. Chambeau	The defending Camptown champ hasn’t put it all back together in her seven-year-old year but still very capable.

RACE 8

The $150,000 Nellie Mae Cox has a deep field of twelve including the top three finishers of last month’s Brookmeade.

2. Tufani	When Stidham was asked before the meet about who he liked at Colonial this summer, he mentioned this one first.
10. Regaled	After a pair of tries in “Oaks” company, this Sam Davis trainee tries the turf with capable rider Boyce.
9. Next Episode	Saville looks for the third win of the meet for his filly after two close wins and a closing near miss in her last start.

RACE 9

In the $150,000 Meadow Stable, Schoenthal’s Punch Line winner stand out in a field of X-factor challengers.

5. Determined Kingdom	The Colonial six-pack win is within reach for Determined Kingdom, defending his Meadow Stable trophy from last year.
1. Notion	Shipping in from Louisiana is a Virginia-bred demon on the dirt of late, but making his first turf start since his debut at Colonial in 2022.
8. Whenigettoheaven	Looking for a third straight win, Nolan Ramsey returns this five-year-old back to Colonial where he once won for LJ and Trombetta.

RACE 10

The finale features a couple of Colonial horses for courses with wins in the meet among ten sprinting on the turf.

3. Charmed	After Valiant Vinny won last night, why not seek the Neusch weekend double running well recently at Laurel.
1. By the Sey Shore	Karamonas returns to ride this long-term barn resident of Trombetta and LJ who is 3 of 5 lifetime at Colonial.
9. Side Eye	Maker’s gelding wanted turf in dirt victory of his last start but has shown talent on the turf before.