Colonial Capsule: Recapping the racing weekend
A new track record, stakes results and more
Nick Hahn
July 1, 2026
The first weekend of the 2026 Colonial Downs summer season is in the charts. The meet has hit the ground running.
Here are 10 things that grabbed our attention this past weekend at Colonial Downs:
This article contains affiliate links. If you click and buy, we may earn a commission at no extra charge to you.
Pick up reliable and rewarding tickets for major events!
- Under partly sunny skies and a temperature of 82 degrees, the first race of the 11-week season, a 5 ½-furlong dirt sprint for Virginia-restricted two-year-olds, left the Colonial Downs starting gate at 12:31pm on Thursday, June 25. The clock stopped 1:04.79 seconds later when Alapocas crossed the finish line with Kevin Gomez aboard for trainer Madison Meyers and owner/breeder Sean McGuinness.
- Caldera reset the track record for one mile on dirt, zipping the distance in 1:33.27. Caldera was ridden by Nik Juarez for trainer Saffie Joseph, Jr., who took over following the passing of original trainer D. Wayne Lukas. Juarez now owns the track record at 1 1/8 miles (the Lukas trainee American Promise went in 1:46.41 in the 2025 Virginia Derby) and one mile with a former Lukas trainee, so no surprise Lukas was on Juarez’ mind. In fact, he rode with a checked saddle mimicking the Lukas silks and said after, “I felt like he was riding with me today.”
- On opening day Jockey Jareth Loveberry won his first race at Colonial Downs since 2022 with Will Believe in another 5 ½-furlong dirt sprint for trainer Michael Lauer and owners Penny Lauer and Bruce Mingus. Loveberry finished third in the jockey standings in 2022.
- In the 23rd running of the $125,000 Brookmeade Stakes, Paco Lopez confidently handled Day to Day to a 2 ¼-length win for trainer Saffie Joseph. The Brookmeade, run at 1 1/16 miles on the inner turf course in 1:42.92, was the first career start at Colonial Downs for the three-year-old filly who faced older horses.
- In the $125,000 Edward P. Evans that followed going the same distance over the same course, the Robbie Bailes-trained War Humor, with Jevian Toledo aboard, captured his second career win at Colonial Downs in 1:43.17. Eric Rizer’s four-year-old gelding won the 2024 Jamestown Stakes at Colonial Downs as a two-year-old.
- Two-year-old filly Antiope gave sire Jackie’s Warrior his first winner when she graduated at first asking in a 5 ½-furlong dirt sprint for Virginia restricted maidens with Paco Lopez aboard for trainer Jane Cibelli. She was bred by owner Amy Moore’s South Gate Farm in Millwood, Virginia. Moore also bred 2022 Breeder’s Cup Juvenile winner Forte, a multiple Grade 1 stakes winner.
- Gold Charm won the $100,000 Theodora A. Randolph (G2) for fillies and mares, the first leg of the “Triple Tiara” series of races for female steeplechase runners. Since shipping over from England, Gold Charm has seven wins in twelve starts and is a perfect 4-for-4 at Colonial Downs. Jamie Bargary delivered the win for trainer Cyril Murphy and owner Irvin Naylor.
- On the same card, Fulmineo, a two-time stakes winner on the flat, including the ’24 Boston Stakes at Colonial Downs, won the opener in his third attempt over the hurdles. Freddie Proctor was aboard for trainer Julie Gomena and Riverdee Stables. In 2024,
- Trainer Kristy Gazzier earned her first-ever win at Colonial Downs with Axel Foley in a $12,500 maiden claimer on the dirt. Reshawn Latchman was up for owner David Porto and Gazzier, whose partner Mauricio Rodriguez saddled the horse.
- Paco Lopez, the leading rider at both Delaware Park and Monmouth Park, grabbed the wins lead at Colonial, too, winning with 10 of 30 mounts, putting him well ahead of Jareth Loveberry and Sonny Leon, with four each. Mike Trombetta and Jamie Ness are tied for the wins lead among trainers with three each.
Nick’s Picks Clicks
- Check out Nick’s Picks every day of live racing at Colonial Downs.
- 17/42 (40.5%) on top winners for the weekend, including 6 of 9 top winners on June 27.
- Best Nick’s Picks Payoffs
- June 25 Race 1, $2 Daily Double – (2,4 with 1,3) paid $91.60
- June 27 Race 7, $3 Late Pick 3 – (1,5,7 with 5 with 3,9) paid $70.80.
- June 27 Race 5, 50 cent Trifecta – (6,12 with 6,10,12 with 4,6,7,8,10,11,12) paid $56.60.
Pick up reliable and rewarding tickets for major events!
LATEST NEWS
