Nick's Picks: Colonial Downs picks August 7, 2025 * The Racing Biz

Nick’s Picks: Colonial Downs picks August 7, 2025

Nick Hahn
August 6, 2025

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 2025: Nick’s Picks returns with picks and analysis for every day of the Colonial meet.

DATE/POST TIME: 10:45 (steeplechase)/12:30 (flat)
RACES: 11
CARRYOVERS: None

RACE 1

The first steeplechase has an early 10:45 post time and features maidens, many with multiple jump starts.

4. Take Your Seats	Outfinished many here when he ran a solid second in his turf debut to Love Foreverafter starting in Rouse later on today.
10. Nathan Detroit	Nearly delivered a win at Colonial two years ago before a lengthy layoff. Watters gets the mount for Morris.
5. Carnane	First time in a jump contest, Sweezey’s filly has shown some flat track speed that may be useful after going over the last jump.

RACE 2

More ‘chase maidens, but for double the purse as the first.

7. In Effect	Despite the poor jump race record, Morris’ veteran ran second in one of the better steeplechase finishes at Colonial this summer.
2. Awesome Man	Wyatt’s man maybe tracked too close in his last start and may get rated a little better similar to his jump race at Laurel.
6. The Jackal	Out from McGaughey’s barn, Fisher’s newest resident making his debut over jumps with Watters on and blinkers off.

RACE 3

In the $100k Randolph Rouse, four of the seven come off their maiden scores and trainer Dalton’s “Arrow” looks to pierce any repeat attempts.

7. Avakate	Though outfinished by Dalton’s mare twice within the year, Morris returns Watters to where he won by a dozen this meet.
3. Madaket’s Arrow	In the event Avakate doesn’t repeat his impressive first win performance, Madaket’s Arrow is proven to capitalize on any setback.
8. Love Foreverafter	Morris is a threat to sweep the exacta with his other graduated maiden who looks to be tough to catch on the front end.

RACE 4

Though maidens three-years-old and up, not too many starts from these females going seven furlongs on the dirt.

7. Malibu Muse	Mott’s pricey filly moves up in class off a solid first start in Indiana and gets Concepcion up, having a solid meet.
3. Fashion Victim	Two good race starts produced two similar margins and finishes in 2024 for Russell’s older Tapit filly, who comes back off the layoff.
1. Twilight Tempo	Curtis gets the mount for Walsh aboard a More Than Ready second-time starter shipping in from Ellis.

RACE 5

Two-year-old Virginia restricted maiden claiming fillies sprint 5 1/2 furlongs with half of the eight making their first start.

1. Kinda Krazy	Although over a sloppy dirt surface, Gaudet’s filly ran a solid second opening weekend at Colonial. Well-bred for turf.
3. Dream Overture	A bullet work at Laurel several days back points to Bailes’ filly being ready for a start with nice lineage behind her.
8. Hot Cocoa	In a deep field, Lightner’s filly displayed some talent at Gulfstream Park in May. Should make a presence early on.

RACE 6

Two-year-olds sprint on the turf in a maiden special weight, with seven firsters and four that have made just one start, that at Colonial.

7. Colleague	Caramori doesn’t start many at Colonial but won the Van Clief twice with Front Run the Fed. Curtis rides Knicks Go first-timer.
8. Richeztoo	Pulled from the turf in his debut, Concepcion managed to find second in an 11-horse field, needs another good start.
5. Green Screen	Sharp work at Fair Hill points to a solid debut of Motion’s Oscar Performance colt with Ruiz aboard.

NICK’S NOTES

Picks continue below.
Check out Colonial Downs jockey and trainer stats here…
Jockeys Horacio Karamanos and Paco Lopez each won twice Wednesday…
Trainer Mike Trombetta won three races on the day to seize the lead in the trainer race. He and Karamanos teamed up twice, winning with Amie’s Symphony ($6.40) and On a Proud Note ($7.00), and he took the nightcap with Mischief in Motion ($23.40) with Antonio Gallardo in the irons…
Trainer Mark Casse also won a pair…

RACE 7

Female $16k claimers, nonwinners of two lifetime go a mile on the turf, several dropping in class looking for a score.

4. Celestial Express	Have difficulty separating selections here but price and being a four-year-old gives me an option to use Hester’s new horse.
3. Incisive Kitten	Another four-year-old that Country Life and Trombetta have been patiently seeking her next start with Lopez aboard.
2. Synergism	Russell’s filly looks to gather herself after her first start in 2025. Broke her maiden going 7 1/2 on the turf last September.

RACE 8

Virginia-restricted maidens go a mile on the turf where many in the field have finished in the money despite only a few starts.

7. Potcake	Now with dual meet winner Gas Alley out of the way, Nagle’s gelding may hold the lead, though X-factor horses abound.
1. Lunar Lightning	One of the X-factors is Country Life’s first-time starter with solid Laurel works and nice lineage out of the Trombetta barn.
6. Then What Time	Karamanos may challenge for that lead and like Potcake will be tougher to surrender it this time, the other X-factor.

RACE 9

Colonial veterans load up in a $16k claiming turf sprint with some that have run well here and some running well now.

8. Upsidedown Man	Magee’s gelding has improved in 2025 with back-to-back wins at Laurel but now moves up in class looking for better position.
10. By the Sey Shore	According to Beyer figs and record, this nine-year-old has done both, winning three times at Colonial among eight career wins and entering off a third-place finish.
4. Certain	Gallardo returns to ride Connolly’s veteran who is running better these days but hasn’t seen the turf in a while.

RACE 10

Most of these distaff never-two claimers get out of the gate with alacrity, an asset in a turf sprint.

5. Lady d’Oro	An ambitious start at Saratoga may not have worked out but will benefit from a class drop and speed clash here.
2. Glory Glory	Had the lead inside the eighth in her first Colonial start this meet but got caught on yielding turf. Could be a victim of speed again.
8. Foolish	Poor results but big Beyers among this group for Caramori’s mare, picking up Lopez in a return to the turf.

RACE 11

The finale features never-two claimers going a mile, few with early speed.

9. Fightnomoreforever	One of the few in the field that seems to be running his better races now and picks up Karamanos today.
7. Union Bulldog	Like many this field, Ross’ gelding has run better in the past but may be turning it around at the site of his conquest.
11. High Ransom	One that has speed is Ramos’ gelding, but he will find a hard time using it from the outside post. Running better in 2025.