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: August 30, 2025/12:20 p.m.
• RACES: 9
• CARRYOVERS: None

RACE 1

In a Virginia-restricted female $40k maiden claiming field, the best options are those that sprinted five furlongs on the Colonial turf previously.

1. Cuddler	Though others ran well at higher levels, Godsey’s filly ran a solid first start at this level and Flame Dancer isn’t here today.
8. Let Thesunshine In	Trombetta adds blinkers aboard a Larry Johnson homebred that has made all four starts — today will be five — at Colonial Downs, over two seasons.
2. Citified	Cuts back to five furlongs after a longer attempt on dirt at a higher level a little over two weeks ago. Well-bred for turf.

RACE 2

Coming out of the chute for a one-turn, 1 1/16-mile race on the dirt are nine Virginia-restricted $16k maiden claimers with race experience.

8. Cynthia Gail	The turf didn’t turn out for Meyers’ Global Campaign filly, but the dirt starts and class drop may stand out among the boys.
1. Caddiemaster	Sanchez picks up the mount on a New York-bred trying a dirt route looking for angles.
2. Dan d’Oro	Desourmeaux’s Medaglia d’Oro colt bred by Morgan’s Ford Farm led for a long way in a near miss at this level earlier this month.

RACE 3

Two-year-old fillies go a two-turn turf mile in a $70k MSW where recent works make two first-timers look sharp.

5. Common Sense	Allen’s Constitution filly has a nice turf Tomlinson, and is a January foal who was a $75,000 purchase at the Fasig-Tipton Midlantic two-year-old sale.
3. American Tapit	If you like to go with the best performance among starters in a young field, Correas’ American Pharoah filly is your choice.
4. Hoof and Boots	Trombetta also has a first-timer that has been solid in the Fair Hill mornings, a well-bred filly with Sanchez riding.

RACE 4

In a turf route, none of these $16k female maiden claimers broke the Beyers “speed limit” par (55) in their last start. The winner will today.

1. Our Finest Hour	Bourke starts one of the older journeyman fillies in this field who consistantly gives a solid effort and getting closer at the level.
5. Practical Romance	Russell, Brittany ships in a NY-bred for Russell, Sheldon to ride, dropping in class and improving going routes.
2. Hit Song	Munoz’s filly has been running well since coming to Colonial and has found the board more often than others.

RACE 5

Coming from barely into the chute are “non-winners of one other than” where one with a winning debut faces hungry veterans on the dirt.

2. Rule Sixty Two	Correas’ Distorted Humor colt impressed opening week at six furlongs as the favorite. Capable in tougher task today.
1. Honest Al	Shipping in after a layoff is McPeek’s gelding who has steadily improved his placings despite varying distances. Always runs well.
4. Neon Nights	Blair’s gelding hasn’t maneuvered well into allowance company but has been productive in claiming ranks. Is the third time, the charm?

RACE 6

It will take some sleuthing to separate these Virginia-restricted $16k claimers “nonwinners of two lifetime” going five furlongs on the turf.

10. Candycrumbs	After claiming him earlier in the meet, Maldonado moved his three-year-old colt to the turf with respectable results. Drops in class today
1. No Cents Non Cents	Godsey’s gelding has been inching closer to a return to the winner’s circle and outfinished several in this field in his last start.
2. Go to Bingo	A step forward for Cooney’s three-year-old after breaking his maiden. Makes his third start this month.

NICK’S NOTES

• Picks continue below.
• Colonial jockey and trainer stats through Aug. 23…
• Trombetta barn seeks second stakes sweep…
• Breeding: What time is it? It’s Our Time

RACE 7 – The Camptown

The $100,000 Camptown has the winners of the Andy Guest and the Glenn Petty stakes earlier in the meet with others in a distaff turf sprint.

2. Hollywood Walk	With the Andy Guest score, Larry Johnson’s homebred became the winner of at least one race in each of Colonial’s last four seasons.
6. Bosserati	Russell’s mare knows something about winning stakes races in Maryland and will be on the lead but with company.
3. Cavalier Cupid	Nagle’s mare was a little disappointing in her last start but has a certain affinity for Colonial Downs that she hinted at earlier in the meet.

RACE 8 – The Meadow Stable

The $100,000 Meadow Stable field has churned 17 Colonial Downs wins to date among dozen colts and geldings sprinting on the turf.

8. Determined Kingdom	Racing luck hasn’t exactly fallen Determined Kingdom’s way this year, but Colonial has been a cure of that in the past.
12. Great Heavens	There should be enough turf pedigree for Magana’s gelding to carry those closing runs over to the turf. Boyce brings out the best.
1. Whenigettoheaven	It took a magnificent effort to better Determined Kingdom in the Ben’s Cat. Capable of another one off the layoff.

RACE 9

There are many options in a two-turn turf mile of $50k claimers that have never won two but previous Colonial performances help separate.

2. Sun Cross	In a strange twist, trainer Jonathan Thomas (#7) could be bettered by this second-place finisher in the Brookmeade, who was sired by Catholic Boy, whom Thomas trained, while…
7. Rhaenys	Brittany Russell (#2) could be bettered by Thomas’ three-year-old filly ridden by her husband, Sheldon Russell. Makes for softer landings.
3. All Gas No Brakes	Brion’s Hoppertunity filly drops in class after seeing tough competition after breaking her maiden late last year.

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