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

RACE 1

The opener features two-year-old maiden auction fillies going six furlongs on the dirt with Only You, of course, with a previous start.

4. Honor Azteca	An up-and-coming rider gets the mount for Secretariat Stakes-winning trainer Keith Desourmeaux, possibly at another nice price.
3. Lady Valor	Campbell starts a Maxfield filly out of an Honor Code mare for Mellon Patch. Been looking for this start since Hawthorne.
2. Peach Tie	A Preservationist homebred for the late Kentucky Governor Brereton Jones gets her first start today with Toledo aboard.

RACE 2

A one-turn maiden claiming mile on the dirt gathers fillies off the turf, out of MSW and longshots looking to stretch out.

6. Boys Go to Jupiter	Solid step forward in first of the year. Price might be right.
4. Stars Align	Trombetta’s filly genuinely tries the dirt for the first time after turf and a debut on the Pimlico mud. Paco knows this mount.
7. Big Air	The classiest of the group and certainly capable of a win but Ness’s filly comes off the turf at 7-5 in the morning line with questions.

RACE 3

Ten maidens slated to sprint on the turf in a MSW with six making their debut among credible starters.

1. Cash the Money	Showing some consistent placements early in turf routes is Casse’s gelding, who shortens to one turn.
8. Cortina	Showing improvement with each start is Reifenberg’s gelding, who reunites with Ashton.
3. Phil’s Prince	With the way Curtis is riding this meet, it’s tough to leave him off the ticket on whatever he rides, and this is a nice first-timer.

RACE 4

The first winners appear on the card in a dirt sprint among allowance non-winners of two, which makes where the win was relevant.

6. Ship Ship Hooray	Churchill waters were a little deep, but Concepcion’s assignment should find the lead and may keep it for the second straight time.
3. Frack Baby	Beyer figures say many here run nearly the same. This one ran a hefty number in his first start back.
4. Shepherd	McPeek’s colt has many times in his career produced a big outing, but it seems to go every other race.

RACE 5

Maiden claimers sprint in a dozen-deep field of fillies and mares who made their last starts at eight different venues.

3. Goal	Casse’s filly was not able to make the leap out of maiden claiming ranks but is solid at this level and shortens from routes.
9. Magala	Rodriguez’s filly seems to get a great start out of the gate regardless of the surface and seems to hold the lead later in each race.
5. Virtual	Brion’s filly has shown talent but not gotten the trip in recent starts. An inner post this go-around may improve the journey.

RACE 6

Going two turns on the outer turf are a dozen never-won-three claimers or three-year-olds with no clear standout.

8. Gettin’downonit	A bit of a Colonial homer is Beecher’s two-time winner here. Draw a line through the last two starts pulled from the turf.
2. Raising Kane	Desormeaux’s gelding had a tough trip in his first turf start but earned a nice rating in upper company. Inner post will help early on.
6. Coronova	Sillaman’s gelding has shown at Colonial and other venues to be capable of keeping the lead until late, very late, and cashing checks.

NICK’S NOTES

• Picks continue below.
• Fort Washington won the G1 Arlington Million
• Hollywood Walk scores in Van Clief
• Track record for Rolando in Petramalo Mile
• Charlene’s Dream is living up to her name
• Good-looking debut score for 2yo Nothing Personal, by Violence, who won by almost nine lengths in 1:21.87 for seven furlongs. Jaime Rodriguez was up for trainer Greg Compton.

RACE 7

From just barely into the chute, allowance/optional claimers go a mile on the dirt.

1. Willow Bend	Using the rail out of the chute, Paco should be able to find his spot comfortably on Ness’s mare and with a repeat effort can prevail.
3. Runaway Diva	The last time Hemingway’s filly won was at a mile on the Colonial dirt and after several turf tries ran well in her return to dirt.
8. Girvinized	Just before the meet, Ferris’ mare was running well at Parx and now makes her Colonial debut with speed on her side.

RACE 8

A popular maiden claiming mile on the turf draws well over a dozen with two AE contenders should they draw in.

5. Bourbonator	It’s hard to pick the favorite in a field like this, but Desormeaux’s colt found the last race class drop fine.
11. Fielding	This first-time starter for the meet’s leading owner is well-bred for team Russell and has shown some energy in the Fair Hill mornings.
3. Thatsmyboxer	Morris’ gelding outran his odds in his return to the flat four weeks ago. At lower odds, may do so again today.

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