by Nick Hahn
And on Saturday, June 15, the Colonial Downs winners will be…
| RACE 1 | ||
| 11 | PHANTASTICUS | “Ness, It’s True”, sires Jamie’s filly delivering timely wins recently. “Queen” won twice last year at CNL. |
| 1A | MY QUEEN | |
| 4 | PIONEER ZEPHYR | |
| RACE 2 | ||
| 14 | MONATELLA | Special K gets the call on Allen’s late season 4 year old English Channell filly for Audley Farm. |
| 11 | SWINGIN’ TEA | |
| 5 | LOST RESOLVE | |
| RACE 3 | ||
| 7 | RAMSEY BRANCH | Once higher expectations for Ross’s colt but this level shouldn’t disappoint on turf. “Chris” & “Mott” rematch. |
| 4 | CITIZEN CHRIS | |
| 3 | MEANT EVERY TEAR | |
| RACE 4 | ||
| 2 | HIGHSTAR | A Forest diva rides Forest Diva, but McManigell rode well in troubled first turf trip at Pimlico. |
| 10 | LET’S PLAY TWO | |
| 6 | FOREST DIVA | |
| RACE 5 | ||
| 3 | SOONER NOT LATER | Crafty two-year old filly of Cox makes 1st start for Nixon, sired by CNL course record holder, Showing Up. |
| 5 | COUNTRY SUNSHINE | |
| 4 | ONE MORE SON | |
| RACE 6 | ||
| 4 | DAN’S LAST STAND | Several here have multiple CNL successes here but leaning toward Lake’s classy Toccet mare. |
| 6 | WHATNOTTOLIKE | |
| 9 | APRIL’S DIXE BELL | |
| RACE 7 | ||
| 5 | I WILL IF YOU WILL | Motion has a filly here yet Gerczak’s filly has a solid win and several nice turf outing recently. |
| 8 | ART OF THE HUNT | |
| 3 | MORAL HIGH GROUND | |
| RACE 8 | ||
| 1 | FROGTOWN | Complete Dyno may be the 1st 2-time starter of the meet. Morgan scratched opening night to run here. |
| 5 | BATHE ME IN GIN | |
| 12 | INKSTER | |
Nick’s Notes
Nick’s Picks broke even Thursday night when a severe line of storms knocked out power to much of the New Kent County forcing a cancellation of racing. The Secretariat Turf Course can handle an enormous amount of rainfall but can’t handle a power outage. By the way, we are still looking for our first race on the dirt. Set your alarms for 6:56 pm next Wednesday night (3rd race.) There’s a good chance a $30,000 MSW going 6.5 furlongs will stay on the dirt.
Golden Soul is a great get for the Virginia Derby. Should he start, Dallas Stewart’s pupil would be the the highest finisher of a Kentucky Derby ever to start in the Virginia Derby. Currently Paddy O’Prado holds that accolade when he won the 2010 Virginia Derby after running third at Churchill Downs. Stewart’s colt ran 9th in the 14 horse Belmont Stakes last Saturday.
The nominations look good for next weekend’s Colonial Turf Cup day (31 nominations), All Along, (41 nominations) Da Hoss (42 nominations) and Old Nelson Handicap. In other related racing action, Virginia-bred Code West runs in the $100,000 Grade 3 Matt Winn Stakes at Churchill Downs Saturday evening. Two major 3-year old turf races are Saturday with the $200,000 Centaur Stakes from Indiana Downs. A field of nine is led by favorite Arlington Classic winner General Election. The $150,000 Grade 3 Hill Prince features a 12 horse field with Edgar Prado assigned to favorite Infinite Magic (7/2).
