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 23/12:30 p.m.
• RACES: 9
• CARRYOVERS: None

RACE 1

Female $16k maiden claimers sprint on the turf with a chance for several from the dirt to foil turf standouts.

5. Naval Hospital	Swung forward and backward in his first Colonial start but look for a good start with Ashton returning for Casse. Bettered several here.
2. Rancho Vista	Ran the same in her only turf start what she has done on the dirt many times. Whatever the surface, should be in the mix.
10. Song and a Breeze	How good was McGoey’s filly only turf start? It was up in class so hard to tell. Rebounded with a solid start level near this on the dirt.

RACE 2

Female MSW sprint on the dirt for two-year-olds with the few starts among the field only happening at Colonial. Six make their debut.

2. Sudden Squall	Why is this filly only a $4k purchase last fall? West has certainly put her to task in the mornings at Turfway. Husband rides.
1. Athenix	Campbell’s filly has the best start among the field on the dirt. His Good Magic-filly should be a popular pick with Sanchez aboard.
9. Light de Night	From the Fasig-Tipton Midlantic 2yo sale in May with price to Colts Neck works to a Colonial start.

RACE 3 – Dolley Madison Stakes

The $125,000 Dolley Madison debuts for two-year-old Maryland/Virginia breds going 5 & 1/2 furlongs on the turf with a potential rematch.

5. Hark Theangelssing	Seeing that the rematch comes over to turf, reaching out for a Trombetta filly that has a win at Colonial in a deep field.
3. Just Philtored	Trombetta in a position to sweep the exacta adding the Keswick winner on dirt trying the turf the first time.
4. Slewperstitus	On paper, its nearly a coin flip on which stake Bailes’s filly should run but expecting to go here. Either stake will be a turf adventure.

RACE 4 – Jamestown Stakes

The $125,000 Jamestown for two-year-olds returns to Colonial but now adds Maryland restricted entrants that dominate the field.

2. Doubting Thomas	A Larry Johnson homebred that won with space in his debut, comes back to the turf and returns Ruiz.
6. Karate Island	Good rally in debut and shows a good work in the meantime.
1. Slewperstitus	A compelling reason for Bailes to run his filly here is the 73 Beyer she earned in her 2nd race, better than these boys.

RACE 5

A restricted maiden optional $50k claiming race goes a turf mile draws eleven two-year-olds with an August 2 race relevant.

2. Undertaker	A good race to ignore percentages and seek bloodlines like this Cairo Prince colt that found the lead in his first start.
5. Rocky Lagoon	Lightner’s gelding ran well for a long way in his debut. Look for a better finish coming back at the same distance.
1. Smols	Part of the double dead heat in late July at Colonial for third. Might earn it by himself this go around.

RACE 6

A Virginia-restricted “nonwinners of two other than” turf mile draws ten colts and geldings for a field with early speed.

8. Jack’s Legend	Bettered many in this field in a nearly identical race last month. After breaking his maiden at Colonial in his debut has run well.
7. Wheneveruremember	Remember Larry Johnson’s homebred breaking his maiden at Colonial? Has shown run late and stretches out from 5 1/2 furlongs.
9. Covert Kat	On paper, Trombetta’s horse should find the lead but not comfortably, yet coming back to a mile could play in his favor.

RACE 7

The sprint for females on the turf in an MSW inserts three new starters and two first timers among past Colonial starters.

6. Mun Mun Can Run	Gallardo gets the mount for a filly new to the Cibelli barn that lost to Shameless Bride opening weekend and adds blinkers.
5. Sporting Lady	Brion’s bridesmaid has finished second in her last five starts going back to Colonial last summer. Safe place bet.
1. Destination	The layoff didn’t change the form for Russell’s older filly that has had the lead in every one of her five career starts.

RACE 8

In a turf mile, $50k claimers “nonwinners of two” includes four in the field that broke their maiden in their last start.

7. Feral’s Joy	Duarte’s gelding has been within a length of a win in his last two starts after a layoff. Sired by Kitten’s Joy.
2. Summer Vibes	A Good Magic (Curlin) gelding shortens to a mile after being claimed in a win for Liberty House Racing and Gaudet.
8. Transactional Guy	Another claim this time for Amaty Racing and Jose Gallegos in a win. After not taking long to win, stretches to a mile today.

RACE 9

The finale offers eleven $40k maiden claimers going 1 1/16 on the turf with varying level of class above and below this level.

2. Black Empire	At this level and distance, a Malibu Moon gelding returns Arrieta aboard who was within a length of a win in his last start.
6. Tasker	Whether in MSW or maiden claming, ran well on the turf at this distance at Laurel. The skills of Meyers’ Lemon Drop Kid should carry.
1. Then What	Comes out of MSW with Sanchez aboard on a Street Sense journeyman making his fifth start in five different venues.

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