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: March 13/12:30 p.m.
• RACES: 8
• CARRYOVERS: None

RACE 1

Virginia-restricted $30k maiden claiming females sprint six furlongs in the sunshine after a day where experience mattered.

2. Chance to Party	Lightner, who won the finale yesterday, is in a good spot to deliver the opener today with a maturing filly from last summer.
6. Redheadedstepchild	Williams restarts an Audible filly bred by Larry Johnson that tried a higher level on the turf last summer,
7. Anita Glassofwine	Ashby’s filly is familar to Colonial and has seen some tougher company than others here, not close but not far.

RACE 2

Going a mile on the dirt are a half dozen three-year-old fillies with plenty of options in a short field.

4. Tahlequah	Joseph, who won two races yesterday, stretches an Authentic filly to a better distance than in her Gulfstream debut.
3. Chanceofalifetime	In a deep field, Lightner’s filly ran wide and tough in her Gulfstream debut.
6. Making Daisys	Ward’s Gun Runner filly comes into the race rested and trained and has gone the distance and seen tough foes.

RACE 3

Early positioning is relevant in the short runup to the turn among these Virginia-restricted allowance sophomores going 5 1/2 furlongs.

3. Crossingthechannel	Larry Johnson’s homebred is in a good post to win the race to the rail and will be stubborn in the long Colonial stretch.
4. Bettinonit	After a layoff and a win on the Colonial turf, Lightner’s three-year-old ran well in his 2026 debut at Gulfstream on a different surface.
1. Ihaveanappforthat	Owner John White’s gelding won on the Colonial dirt last summer and then faced several tougher fields with solid outings.

RACE 4

First-level allowance going the in-between distance of seven furlongs, six with wins in their last start.

2. Eastbostonbenny	Klesaris has had some solid Colonial outings, including two wins with this five-year-old starting off the layoff.
4. Shadow Surge	The two 90+ Beyers will stand out on Ness’s gelding, who runs better at Parx and seems to win every other start.
1. Skellig Michael	Barboza’s gelding will likely have the lead at some early point in a race that sets up for a closer in a field where no closers exist.

RACE 5

Three-year-olds and up go 7 furlongs in an $80,000 allowance with proven high-dollar choices to sort out.

1. Multiverse	The Hutcheson runner-up tried the turf in his last start but will find the Colonial dirt worthy ground to break a run of seconds.
5. Dr. Park	Eurton also starts a multi-six figure purchase that has run well in two career starts but off the layoff.
8. Creed’s Vision	Delacour’s four-year-old has enjoyed a solid winter in Florida, including a maiden-breaking score in his last start.

RACE 6

The $150,000 Boston Handicap is named after a Richmond-bred that won 40 of his 45 starts before the Civil War.

7. Illuminare	Centennial Farms, which has Nearly on the Derby trail this year, hopes their former ace returns close to his three-year-old form.
3. Chipotle	Is it OK to say that Gorham’s gelding is seasoned? Recent 90+ Beyers suggest so, but will find a speedy foe in the gate next door.
4. Lonesome Road	Larry Johnson’s homebred also went forward with two recent 90+ Beyers and knows only one way to win for Trombetta.

NICK’S NOTES

• Picks continue below.
• Jockey Tyler Gaffalione tripled on opening day, taking the second race with Code Review ($2.40), the third with Princess Woejee ($3.20), and the featured Golden Horseshoe Handicap with Digital Ops ($7.80). “It was a fun day racing in the snow,” he said after the feature.
• Two of Gaffalione’s wins, the first and third, came for trainer Saffie Joseph, Jr., the only trainer to double on the day.

RACE 7

The $150,000 Stellar Wind Handicap is named after a Virginia-bred filly who was the best female in the country for six months.

6. Carmelina	The 2024 Chenery winner returns to Colonial looking to stay undefeated in New Kent and can win on and just off the lead.
3. Sporting Lady	Virginia-bred at Audley Farm in Berryville, Brion’s filly has some nice Fair Hill works to travel to Colonial.
5. Conquerthosewecan	One of two trained by Russell, this one has been very consistent in placings and last found the winners circle at Colonial.

RACE 8

Nice Virginia-restricted three-year-old sprint of 6 furlongs for maidens that drew a dozen in the finale.

8. Love Yourself	Niall Saville’s gelding made a wonderful entrance in a sloppy Laurel debut last month and finds a perfect place to graduate.
1. Make It Quick	Robb’s gelding drew the rail and will have to get out of the gate with zip. Seems to be improving with each start.
4. Feisty Notion	Williams’ colt showed some speed on the turf at Colonial that could carry over to the dirt for a piece.

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