Nick’s Picks: Colonial Downs picks July 14, 2023
Nick Hahn- July 14, 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.
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.
Nick’s Picks Play of the Day
After a troubled opening day, Nick’s Picks is looking to get on the board with a simple double. CALL IT—Race 3, $2 Double, 2,8 with 7,9 (Costs $8).
CHECK OUT THE LATEST OFF TO THE RACES RADIO!
RACE 1
| 5 | FREESTANDING | Taking all 3yo over 6yo. Free Soul broke maiden at CNL. Does Freestanding speed away? |
| 1 | FREE SOUL | |
| 4 | WELAKA |
RACE 2
| 3 | ACE UP HER SLEEVE | Not a fan of long maiden resumes but Klesaris filly finally returns to the dirt. Disregard last on turf. |
| 2 | LENAMAGNETTA | |
| 4 | CLARIFICATION |
RACE 3
| 2 | YAHMO | All firsters except one so breeding matters. Stidham, Ross eager to see Yahmo. |
| 8 | SASSE’S CLASS | |
| 1 | MASSIF |
RACE 4
| 9 | ANAMNESTIC | Danner 3yo #9 has seen toughest foes. Clement colt #7 solid. |
| 7 | ROYAL VELVET | |
| 11 | CARRONADE |
RACE 5
| 5 | SUMMER ANTHEM | Delaware outing a return to form for versatile Brion 4-year old. |
| 4 | MENTALIST | |
| 1 | THANK YA PETE |
RACE 6
| 3 | CRAZY ODDS | Bentley could go back-to-back with R5 Mentalist & Crazy Odds, who ran well at CNL last summer. |
| 1 | TAPIT BRIO | |
| 2 | SMALL FIELD |
RACE 7
| 1 | GIRVINIZED | Impressive maiden score from the rail for Girvin filly in first start. Can she repeat versus elders? |
| 5 | AIR ONE | |
| 7 | MOMENTOUS MISS |
RACE 8
| 6 | GOLDBUSTER | Rocco and Stidham reunite on class-dropping CNL winner now gelded. |
| 3 | DOC ROCK | |
| 7 | DANCIN IN DUBAI |
RACE 9
| 2 | STARSTREET | Another class-dropper for Ross and Stidham. Lightly raced 3YO have more promise. |
| 10 | SWIFT DANCER | |
| 8 | MUNNIS PRETTY |
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 5: $26,406
- Pick 6: $3,088
HOW LONGSHOTS HAPPEN—While watching the draw by Zoom, trainer Phil Schoenthal realized that his two-year-old filly, Determined Sail, had been omitted. After a follow up, the first-time starter was drawn into a 14-horse field and jockey Antonio Gallardo, well down Schoenthal’s list, got the mount.
The “nearly didn’t happen” longshot won in the 5th race on opening day paying $70.20. The filly is the first homebred to race and win for 2500 Determined Stud. Determined or destiny, Schoenthal never had a doubt.
BAND OR BRED? Is it the name of a horse? Or the name of a band?
Today it’s… Billy Lamb: Band or bred?
Thursday: Speed Fossil is the band that introduces Frank Vespe on “Off to the Races” with their song “Livin’ the Dream.”
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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