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

RACE 1

Colonial Downs hasn’t raced in 2026 but all but one these three-year old $16k maiden claimers going six furlongs on the dirt has.

3. U Crocs	Pecoraro’s grey sired by Cupid could have used a little extra track in his debut and may enjoy a more gradual turn.
4. Secondary Promise	Nice spot for Schoethal to debut his hard-working Vekoma gelding bred by Lady Olivia at North Cliff, a Virginia breeder.
2. A Cab On the Rocks	Should messier weather show up by post time, considering moving West’s Fairgrounds import forward, experienced with slop.

RACE 2

Moving into the chute for a mile are a half dozen one-time winners, some with credible stakes experience for three-year-olds.

5. Code Review	Gaffalione gets the mount on Joseph’s speedster stretching to a mile after winning his debut. When will he know he’s going longer?
2. I Did I Did	Maker’s Curlin colt has won in the slop and faced Paladin, Incredibolt, and Speed Beast in his young career. Disregard synthetic start.
1. Close the Gate	Salzman’s gelding has three starts with 70+ Beyers on fast and off dirt surfaces, definitely the most consistent of this field.

RACE 3

Welcoming the fillies to Colonial in this $50k maiden optional claiming field.

1. Princess Woejee	Danner American Pharoah filly ran well in deep fields going 6 1/2 furlongs on the Turfway synthetic, which likely felt like 7 furlongs.
2. Hylla	Showed speed in her last start on dirt and inclined to forgive disastrous synthetic try.
6. Watch Me Sparkle	Shortening up and blinkers may be all that Ferris Allen’s filly needs to break through again considering a DQ’d win is on the resume.

RACE 4

Long resumes abound in this maiden special weight going a mile with a field anchored by hard-tryers, and the winner will earn it.

3. Limo	Stidham takes over for Bill Mott on DARRS’ (Ross) four-year-old whose best recent start was at this distance at Aqueduct.
1. American Direction	McGoey could have run her four-year-old at Tampa but opted for Colonial alongside a running mate.
4. Radauti	Evans-bred Tonalist colt produced better Beyers in since the layoff but not better results. Still seems capable.

RACE 5

Three-year-old fillies sprint six-furlongs in a Virginia-restricted first allowance with half the field coming in off a maiden-breaking score.

2. Tosca	Lightner may have been looking for turf for her filly but found the Colonial dirt welcoming last summer in six-length win.
5. Thirst for Hope	Ashby’s filly has a rare feat over many on the card today — a win in a sprint at Colonial in the slop — and is glad Jumping the Gun isn’t here.
4. Sunset Rising	Mother Nature may be 1-9, as Derby Bill says, but McKenzie’s filly is undefeated early on. May not be regal but her upside may be underrated.

RACE 6

Second-level allowance/optional claimers go 1 1/16 miles, and most have plenty of wins in the bank.

3. Necessity	Riley Mott’s filly who enjoys a little extra track has won at this distance and has been competitve is every start that isn’t a Grade 2.
2. Next Girl	Bailes trainee may have to go a little further today. Not sure if she likes a mile-plus but looks better when not at seven furlongs.
7. Sweet Laura	The only starter in the field that’s up for claim is Ness’s seven-year-old popular claimer that has been running well lately.

NICK’S NOTES

• Picks continue below.
• The brief Virginia Derby meet starts here, with Virginia Derby day coming up Saturday.
• The featured Golden Horseshoe brings together an interesting handicapping challenge involving several runners with somewhat inconsistent form going a rarely contested distance.

RACE 7

The $100,000 Golden Horseshoe Handicap debuts going two turns at 1 3/8 miles with past Triple Crown hopefuls Hades and Omaha Omaha, who finished third in last year’s Virginia Derby.

1. Digital Ops	Speed in the potential slop? Might be enough of a separating factor among the evenly matched top three trying something new.
2. Money Run	The “now” horse in the field looking for a three-peat but stepping up in class from Oaklawn. Miller brings his winning jockey.
3. Stowaway	Beckman’s Gun Runner-sired gelding faced Hit Show in his last start at a long price in the Grade 3 Mineshaft. Finds a more appropriate level today.

RACE 8

The deepest field of the day drew ten Virginia-restricted maiden fillies for six furlongs. Half of the three-year-olds make their debut.

9. Cupid’s Choice	Despite an outer post, a little added experience will help Robb’s filly, who ran a competitive second in her Colonial debut last summer.
4. Eileen’s a Warrior	Lightner’s filly could find the lead and keep it this time, given the anticipated conditions and giant sweeping turn.
6. Lilmisslingshot	Hard-hitting Russell barn sends out this Maryland-bred Irish War Cry firster.

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