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: Aug. 14/12:30
• RACES: 8
• CARRYOVERS: Pick 6, $1,112

RACE 1

Virginia-restricted maiden claimers sprint on the turf, and all have Colonial starts this season except one cross-entry.

9. Go to Bingo	Nope, not going to let another Cooney horse beat me on the outside again, especially one now entered in Virginia-restricted.
1. Courageous Mission	Bailes, still having a great meet, puts this one back at this level where a rally just fell short in his 2025 debut alongside a speedy stablemate.
7. Efficacy	Meyers gets Sheldon Russell aboard and shortens from a mile but at the same level looking for improvement.

RACE 2

Seven $30k maiden claimers go a mile on the dirt with speed still favored but not as much as earlier in the meet.

7. McZ	Husbands is quietly having a solid meet and gets the reins on a Mark Simms colt for Calumet after a nice debut.
5. Deterrent	Delacour’s Midshipman gelding goes turf to dirt, blinkers on, and a drop from MSW
6. Pico Plat	A speedy threat in a field that doesn’t have much matching speed

RACE 3

Two-year-old fillies in a MSW go 1 1/16 miles on the turf.

5. Black Rose	Though a May foal, Casse’s filly a mature first race six lengths clear of third place at a mile. Any step forward should win.
8. Chrysalism	Toss out the muddy start at Saratoga and Motion’s filly looks much better. Curtis will try to make her forget about that one.
7. Nickel Saver	Russell debuts McPeek’s Candy Ride filly stabled at Colonial since before the start of the meet.

RACE 4

Vintage Colonial race alert: “nonwinners of two” claimers sprint on the turf.

4. Agent Kelly	It could be that a not-so-familiar assemblage comes together to pull a minor upset. Has been close to tough competitors.
1. Hold Up	Bodemeister, a solid Virginia-bred, sires a new addition to the DARRS portfolio that was wide in his recent return to turf.
9. No Cents Non Cents	Eagle Point’s gelding has a win at Colonial and makes her second start of the meet with Ashton, gaining mount momentum.

RACE 5

Two-year-old MSW maidens test a mile on the turf where expensive auction horses may be a little vulnerable to homebreds.

4. Culoir	Duarte’s colt will need to find a better trip taking another run at a mile. Lopez picks up the mount.
2. Trapped in Time	McPeek’s horses are nearly identical but opting for the Irish-bred with Sheldon aboard. Working mornings with #7 Li Grand Zombi
6. Ramblin	Maybe with a nudge towards value, adding Desormeaux’s Ghostzapper colt, well-bred for the turf and now tries it.

RACE 6

Fillies face each other again to fly 1 3/16 miles in a MSW, many coming back after solid Colonial debuts in July.

8. Be Together	Somehow finished fourth with Curtis aboard but still was within a length of the winner for Thomas in Colonial debut.
2. Lorraine	Outran her odds in her local bow, stubborn once gaining the lead only to give it away late. Very close to breakthrough.
6. Caviar Breakfast	Look for another blanket finish among these peers adding McPeek and Russell to the mix. Good race to box wagers.

NICK’S NOTES

• Picks continue below.
• Check out Colonial Downs jockey and trainer stats through Aug. 9…
• A pair of jockeys won twice Wednesday. Mychel Sanchez took a pair, winning with Big Air ($4.00) for trainer Jamie Ness and with Cash the Money ($10.00) for Mark Casse.
• Axel Concepcion also won a pair, scoring on Ship Ship Hooray ($8.20) for trainer Kelsey Danner and on Bourbonator ($5.80) for Keith Desormeaux…
• Mark Casse was the only trainer to double. In addition to Cash the Money, he won with Goal ($4.20), ridden by Antonio Gallardo…

RACE 7

Females in a “nonwinners of one other than” sprint on the turf in a field with plenty of speed setting up one from off the pace.

1. J Z’s Last Schance	From the rail, Wolfendale’s filly may have to circle to field or find a path in the end but always makes a late move.
3. Marian Cross	Presence of other speed may force a change in tactics, unless she finds the lead easily.
7. Worth a Dime	The first trainer ever to win a race at Colonial Downs (9/1/97) keeps Boyce aboard and should also launch a charge to be near.

RACE 8

In a field with five past Colonial winners, two this meet, Virginia-restricted allowance/optional claimers sprint on the turf.

8. Knockanara	Big Lick has those two winners in this meet with this Gun Runner four-year-old gelding looking for a four-peat.
10. Medagooch	A threat to wire on the front end but turf and the other Big Lick may foil that style. Usually in the money.
6. Slippin Jimmy	McCutchen’s gelding looks for fourth straight season with a Colonial win, similar to Hollywood Walk on Saturday.

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