Nick's Picks: Colonial Downs picks August 9, 2025 * The Racing Biz

Nick’s Picks: Colonial Downs picks August 9, 2025

Nick Hahn
August 8, 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: 12:00 noon
RACES: 12
CARRYOVERS: Pick 6, $2,936

RACE 1

Plenty of early speed to run into among these $50k three-year-old claimers going a 1 1/8 miles, all with two wins.

3. Cap’n Dusty	May finally get firm turf at longer than a mile to capitalize on a fast pace, which worked so well this time last year.
1. Deadpan	Showed some closing ability on turf in the past but recently speedy on dirt for Gaudet’s newest barn occupant.
9. Oishi	Well-bred for the turf and saw a solid start at Gulfstream. Could take advantage of the pace.

RACE 2

Two-year-old maidens going the “in-between” distance of 7 furlongs on dirt with three Colonial starts in a 9-horse field.

9. Kid Charlemagne	By My Standards worked at Colonial Downs but never raced. Rates well for seven furlongs and has multiple bullet works.
8. Sharons Beach	The turf didn’t work in his first start, but the mornings point to dirt being better for this Omaha Beach gelding.
2. Very Connected	McPeek’s pricey colt debuts on dirt where his lineage skips a generation, the second sire and dam by Awesome Again checks.

RACE 3

Several in this field of “nonwinners of one other than” love Colonial and have enough race history to tell you who they are.

5. Public Defender	Constitution filly won last two for Cibelli. Jockey proven, horse proven, and the trainer is winning.
1. Operation Torch	His 2025 debut is also his bow for Toner, who is solid when at the track to get start. Works say ready.
3. Cocktails At Noon	Ended 2024 and started 2025 with a win and is competitive when not winning. Most concerned with the brief layoff.

RACE 4

On the dirt, you can’t really toss anyone in this field of allowance/optional claimers going 7 furlongs.

1. Grand Opening	Has won as a closer, sprinter or frontrunner and won twice at Colonial. Won’t fault NY turf or CT turning trips.
2. Street Earnings	Casse’s gelding comes off a layoff but recent works are encouraging. Castellano rides previous Colonial winner.
4. Ponce de Leon	Danner’s four-year-old has to transition back to dirt from the synthetic and would likely prefer some more pace.

RACE 5

Three in the “Pet Mile” won in their last start, but those who didn’t may be the ones to focus on here.

8. Barbadian Runner	It may not have been intended but being pulled from the turf in the Jersey Derby win assured his future on dirt.
4. Flood Zone	For whatever reason, horses returning from Dubai need a race or two to find themselves again, even for the Gotham winner.
9. Rolando	McPeek’s colt looks for his third straight win and his second at Colonial. Brian Hernandez rides.

RACE 6

Three-year-old fillies go seven furlongs in the Tyson Gilpin Stakes in a deep field generating multiple wins with few starts.

4. Zaghruta	The class may not be there but the performance, ratings and breeding are, along with Reylu riding a Gun Runner.
5. Nerazurri	May wasn’t Nerazurri’s month but whatever the burden was may have been corrected in a sharp second in the Azalea.
7. Coco Abarrio	Perez’s filly will see the dirt for the first time in the afternoon, but breeding suggests not much of a falloff if any.

RACE 7

Among the distaff turf sprinters is Larry Johnson’s Hollywood Walk, who could make it four straight Colonial seasons with a win.

2. Mrs. Gambolini	Joseph’s four-year-old More Than Ready filly has won half of her six career starts and was inside of length of winning two more.
5. Crown Imperial	Since shortening to sprints, Ortiz’s filly has returned to a solid check earner similar to early in her career.
9. Bosserati	Six furlongs in the Jameela was perhaps a half furlong too far this miss, who will have company with her seeking the lead.

RACE 8

Though Nobals and Bear River will likely scratch, having run last Saturday at Ellis, a deep field of turf sprinters remains.

2. Mrs. Gambolini	Joseph’s four-year-old More Than Ready filly has won half of her six career starts and was inside of length of winning two more.
5. Crown Imperial	Since shortening to sprints, Ortiz’s filly has returned to a solid check earner similar to early in her career.
9. Bosserati	Six furlongs in the Jameela was perhaps a half furlong too far who will have company with her seeking the lead.

RACE 9

An opportunity to grab a Grade II win is there for several that have improved, three here coming in off of wins.

4. Simulate	Kitten’s Joy ran best when at Colonial so his son, undefeated at Saratoga, the last with a sudden Beyers uptick, comes in ready.
8. Dream On	The Penn Mile winner comes in losing only one of his last four starts, that being to Zulu Kingdom without Castellano aboard.
2. Maui Strong	Welcome back to Colonial, three-time Virginia Derby winning trainer Dale Romans, with one running, but not placing well.

RACE 10

The small field of the Beverly D has every female coming into the race with an improved Beyer figure in their last start.

3. Beach Bomb	Motion may ask to have the starting gate moved back as mare is better longer, though always near the lead if not on it.
2. Be Your Best	Joseph’s mare could win the speed dual but if she doesn’t, wouldn’t be surprised to maintain her placing.
6. Duvet Day	Ready to capitalize on the turf speed contest is McCarthy’s veteran mare showing some closing burst.

RACE 11

A dynamic, colorful field in the $1 million Arlington Million (G1) that includes a Kentucky Derby winner, a US first-timer, and a Virginia homer.

8. Integration	Sired by Virginia-bred ML Kentucky Derby favorite Quality Road, Integration simply loves Colonial, where he’s 3 of 4 lifetime.
1. Mystik Dan	With maybe more pedigree than meets the eye, McPeek has being thinking about turf for the Derby winner since the spring.
6. Fort Washington	Maybe the setback in the Wise Dan was due but prior, Shug’s veteran War Front was running well with Alvarado aboard.

RACE 12

Nice finale to get out on with the virtual rerunning of the Tale of the Cat at Monmouth meeting a key July 16 race at Colonial.

3. Outrunner	Disappointed in the Tale of the Cat, Saez should find the field deep enough and fast enough to conclude his closing bid here.
8. English Law	In a stalking position, Casse’s gelding nearly cured his seconitis in his last start, well ahead of the third place finisher.
5. Soleil Volant	After a little layoff, Motion’s gelding continues to struggle with wins but consistently collects nice checks.