Nick's Picks: Colonial Downs picks August 8, 2025 * The Racing Biz

Nick’s Picks: Colonial Downs picks August 8, 2025

Nick Hahn
August 7, 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: August 8/4:00 p.m.
RACES: 8
CARRYOVERS: None

RACE 1

Virginia-restricted two-year-old maiden claimers sprint on the turf, all but one having a start to consider along with breeding review.

5. Cruisetheforest	One of two second-timers here that finished 7th when their debut got pulled from the turf. Nice gate move prior and well-bred for the green.
3. Daunted	The other well-bred 7th-place finisher, who started in Indiana, gets Curtis aboard. He will need a good start.
4. Ihaveanappforthat	Switching to the turf for his second start is Clement’s colt, who faced stakes winning Trendsetter in his first start. Softer today.

RACE 2

In a one-turn dirt mile, eight maiden $12.5k claimers in a race void of speed, which is not as favorable as earlier in the meet.

4. Set About	Nearly pulled off a win with Concepcion aboard in his last start at Colonial also at a mile. In a good spot to graduate today.
7. Track Ranger	Tomlinson’s gelding had a good start off the layoff at Churchill and remains fresh for a little drop in class at Colonial.
5. Mitby	Farrior’s four-year-old gelding goes from a two-turn 6 1/2-furlong race at Charles Town to a one-turn mile at Colonial.

RACE 3

Allowance/optional claiming fillies and mares square off, with the return of 2021 Keswick Stakes winner Cavalier Cupid.

5. Zo Lee	Five of the seven-horse field come out of a July 17 Colonial race rather even, yet a frontrunner maybe be favorable on this turf.
2. Simply Stated	Stepped up with her best race of the year to win at this level last out but may find off the pace a little more testing.
6. Cavalier Cupid	Big Lick’s six-year-old may be having her best year on the track since winning two at Colonial as a two-year-old.

RACE 4

Going a mile on the dirt are female allowance runners with plenty of speed to set up a closer or stalker.

5. Brunch With Amy	Though Passage East won head-to-head at Churchill, recent bias and pace could set the table for Brunch at a mile.
3. Passage East	Just missed breaking her maiden at Colonial in March and hasn’t lost since, looking for a four-peat.
6. She’s My Lady Luck	The standout race of this Win Win Win filly was on the dirt at a mile. Could be aside Brunch for a while.

RACE 5

In an allowance sprint on the turf, which has sped up as the dirt slowed down.

8. Oskar Martinez	Often going a mile on the turf recently, Delacour’s gelding returns to the surface, distance and venue where he broke his maiden.
5. Corso’s Pick	The Creative Cause gelding was clearly second best at this level, surface, distance and venue versus Esperon, not in the field today.
6. Pajaro	Looking to start his career with three wins, Pajaro may get more play with how he looks in the paddock.

RACE 6

A maiden auction race for two-year-old fillies going a mile on the turf.

10. Matadora	Steering clear of those for in for a tag while seeking race experience. Motion’s filly has had two classy starts in New York.
8. My Lady Jbella	Cibelli gives Curtis the reins on a filly with plenty of turf a generation removed. Can it carry a generation?
9. Ixchel	One of two in for Russell who had a poor trip in her debut on dirt but appears to better bred for the turf as it is.

NICK’S NOTES

Picks continue below.
Check out Colonial Downs jockey and trainer stats through Aug. 2 here…
Jumps jockey Graham Watters continued to torment his rivals Thursday, sweeping the three steeplechase races on the card. Those wins pushed his record at the meet to 7-for-8…
One of his wins came in the Randolph Rouse Memorial Handicap aboard Avakate ($3.20), who won by 13 1/4 lengths. She is trained by Neil Morris…
On the flat jockey Paco Lopez won four races to lead the charge…
Jockey Gavin Ashton had a slow start to the meet — he was winless through last weekend — but he’s picking it up now. Thursday, for the second straight day, he piloted a maiden special weight winner. Today’s winner was first-time starter Mr. Randy ($17.00), who rallied to win by a neck for trainer Tim Girten…

RACE 7

In a turf sprint “nonwinners of two lifetime,” not-so-recent winners have better recent races than many recent winners.

8. El Tinmarin	In the opening weekend of the meet, Lusk’s colt ran out of track to lose by a neck at this level and distance. Timely next start.
9. Takethefifth	Villalobos will likely be wide again today to El Tinmarin, but has run a better Beyer than his foe two races back.
6. Granuaile	Came to Colonial with a list of losses and won at a short price anyway. Tougher company today but running well now.

RACE 8

Concluding with a turf sprint are a dozen $10k veteran female claimers without a whole lot of pace or recent wins to consider.

10. Paleo’s Princess	Far from a lock but Gallegos’ mare won her last start on dirt and has been solid on the turf.
6. Mattitude	Veteran beaten less than two lengths in a two-other-than three back
2. Next Episode	Schoenthal’s mare looks to pull off at least one win in each of Colonial’s last four seasons by shortening from routes.