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. 28/12:30
• RACES: 9
• CARRYOVERS: Pick 6, $30,505

RACE 1

Look for a burst of speed from the middle of the starting gate among these Virginia-restricted maidens sprinting on the turf.

3. Then What Time	Too many checkmarks go with Duarte’s Smitten Farm-bred, once a $220k yearling who also has speed whether on turf or dirt.
7. Serendipitymonday	A tough task figuring which McClure gelding to put in front of the other, but anticipate better with Boyce aboard the second turf try.
6. Chimney Sweep	It was Aquirre’s gelding’s turn to outfinish Serenditymonday in his last start, and he seems to be improving with each turf start.

RACE 2

Female Virginia-restricted $16k maiden claimers go 1 1/16 miles on the outer turf in a field of 10, all unfamilar to each other.

4. Happy This Day	Ran just shy of a win at Delaware at 7 1/2 furlongs, which should carry well with added ground on the outer Secretariat turf.
5. Last Glance	In her 2025 debut, Williams’ four-year-old ran well at this level here going a mile, leaving her best for the stretch.
8. Promaja	Bowersock’s filly comes back quickly at this level and distance after showing energy in the later stages less than two weeks ago.

RACE 3

Turning to the dirt, one of the smaller fields at Colonial has $50k optional claimers “nonwinners of two other than” sprinting six furlongs.

7. Cuz Ur Pretty	Magee might have to consider this acer for the Claiming Crown, as she’s won five of her last six starts and seeks a four-peat today.
3. Passage East	Worlds collide with McMahon’s Audible filly seeking a five-peat with the four previous wins all coming at different venues.
6. Admiral Hopper	Nixon’s stakes starter may have recently found a home on the dirt after winning often on the Gulfstream synthetic.

RACE 4

In a turf sprint go $30k three-year-old fillies or older fillies and mares that have never won three with a speed threat looming among talented stalkers.

3. Midnight Mary	Catalano, getting reacquainted with Colonial, seeks to go two-for-two with a frontrunner, though this time stepping up in class
5. Ithinkiloveyou	Farrior’s filly makes her Colonial debut after a layoff from winning twice at Laurel with a minor Pimlico setback in between.
6. Youmakemecharlie	With an in-meet win, Trombetta’s three-year-old may be figuring it out at the right time. Returns Paco Lopez aboard.

RACE 5

A field of nine two-year-old maiden fillies sprint on the turf, the morning line set more towards those making their debut.

8. Aldene	Could be wrong but it’s likely that it didn’t take long after her first start on dirt for Trombetta to seek turf with this pedigree.
9. Byway	It doesn’t get much more Virginia than a Morgan’s Ford homebred sired by Virginia-bred Quality Road racing at Colonial.
1. Pointillism	Like Byway, Motion’s filly has seen some brilliant mornings at Fair Hill and comes into her debut with heavy turf pedigree.

RACE 6

In a litte unconventional condition, a maiden optional $50k claimer, 2-year-old fillies go a two-turn mile on turf.

8. She’s Honed In	Danner’s two-year-old has the best result, won’t say start, at this level. Looks to get away better from the gate today.
3. Napoli	Correas ships in from Keeneland a $38k purchase out of the March 2025 Fasig-Tipton digital sale to make her debut.
6. Yeah Glo	Eagle Point brings back a filly that made her first on the dirt in a race pulled from the turf. Pedigree suggests better on turf.

NICK’S NOTES

• Picks continue below.
• Colonial Downs jockey and trainer stats through Aug. 23…
• Jockey Sheldon Russell had a Wednesday hat trick. The veteran rider scored aboard Royal Suite ($8.00) for trainer Kenny McPeek, Petcoff ($12.00) for wife Brittany Russell, and Oppose ($13.60) for Michael Matz…
• Riders Mychel Sanchez and Paco Lopez each won twice… Lopez also picked up another win with the after-the-fact disqualification of Catalina Strike ($51.00) from a win in the fourth race on Aug. 20 after that runner’s rider, Jose Lopez, was deemed to struck the horse with the crop more than the allowed limit. The three wins for Paco Lopez gave him a one-win lead over longtime leading rider Ben Curtis, who went 0-for-5 on Wednesday…
• First-time starter Midnight Queen blew up the toteboard in Wednesday’s third. Trained by Irvin Flores and ridden by Ismerio Villalobos, the two-year-old Midnight Storm filly won by a half-length and paid $129.20 to win. The exacta, with the favorite in second, returned $239 for a one-dollar wager…

RACE 7

On the inner turf, $16k claimers test a two-turn mile that includes what might have been Colonial’s horse of the meet last year.

9. Atmidnight	Though the return to Colonial didn’t satisfy versus better on turf listed good, Campbell’s filly was a three-time Colonial winner last year and gets firm going today.
3. Princess Javoncia	After 46 starts, welcome to Colonial, with a turf surface that seems to favor older horses like Merryman’s eight-year-old mare.
10. Memphis Showboat	Downing’s veteran mare may not have seen the winner’s circle recently but consistently runs well when asked.

RACE 8

It will take 80-plus Beyers to win this turf route for second-level allowance/optional $50k claimer, so find one that’s run that before.

6. Coringa	Trombetta’s four-year-old gelding has run three 80+ Beyers when on turf and rallied from wide in a near-miss earlier this month.
2. Mister Abarrio	Joseph returns an early Colonial meet winner with Husbands back aboard looking to repeat, one of three entered hoping to do so.
1. Boppy O	A multiple stakes starter known for seconditis, Sillaman’s new claim rose up in his second start this meet with a solid win.

RACE 9

A dozen “nonwinners of two lifetime” $16k claimers tackle two turns on the inner turf without a clear standout in the field.

12. Lord Donegal	Steeplechase starters get more respect on the big turf at Colonial than at other venues. Morris’ horse may take advantage of pace.
6. Bourbon Outlaw	Farrior’s veteran returns Russell back aboard and ran well in his Colonial debut when facing tougher competition.
11. Chill the J	Casse’s gelding drops a little in class and may find a mile more to his speedy liking. He will have company if on the lead.

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