I had a great time last weekend at Colonial Downs, the people were friendly and the racing was awesome. It’s great to see racing back in Virginia. Had a pretty solid week last week. Four top pick winners and the late pick 4 although it didn’t pay much. This weeks card is very challenging so I’ll see if I can pick a few winners. Two jump races on tonight’s card in races one and three. I’m not sure why they put one of them in the early pick 4 so I’m going to skip that play tonight and focus on the late pick 4 instead. I really have a feeling that Trevor McCarthy could have a big night tonight.
Best Bet Race 7 #10 Eleven It IsLong shot Play Race #2 Crazy Kater
Race 1 2-5-6
Race 2 5-10-12
#5 Crazy Kater tries turf for the first time after 2 ok efforts on the dirt at Laurel. Speed figures have increased in both of his career starts. He’s had a real nice work since his last race and he has turf breeding top and bottom. I think you’ll get a nice price as well. #10 Palmetto Blue drops from MSW to maiden claimers and adds blinkers for his second career start. He ran an even 4th here in his debut.#12 Fair Haired Boy also drops to the maiden claiming level and finished a half a length behind Palmetto Blue in his debut. To me if you like one you have to include the other.
Race 3 1-3-2
Race 4 1-3-6
#1 Irish Colonel just missed at this level last time out at Delaware Park. Trevor McCarthy stays aboard and his last race speed figure is tops in here.#3 Bobby G won his last at this distance at Laurel, Karamanos stays aboard and his speed figures have been increasing lately.#6 Nottoway returns to the dirt after an ok 6th late time out here. Lacey Gaudet is 18% with turf to dirt runners.This is also a better level for him.
Race 5 5-2-3
#5 No Sugar No Cream showed speed and stopped in her last at Laurel, which was her first start in 4 months. She ran very well in her debut at Aqueduct in a much higher level race. The fact that Schoenthal runs her in a protected spot makes me think he saw something he liked 2 weeks ago. #2 Jordan Springs makes her turf debut for Ollie Figgins and ships in from Charles Town. She has turf breeding and her dam has produced 3 turf winners out of 6 starters.#3 Long Key is bred for the turf and has had two solid works for her debut, must be respected.
Race 6 1-8-6
#1 Kininboy closed well and finished second here at a higher level last time out. Speed figures have increased recently and this guy is 4 for 4 in the money at this distance.#8 Sadler Bay finished three lengths behind top pick in the last race here. If you play one you have to play the other, IMO.#6 Five Carat Cat Returns to the flats after a couple of jump races recently. He’s got two wins on the turf in his career and the distance surely will not be an issue.
Late Pick 4 Play 3,5,7,10/2,3,7,9,14/1,2,4,7,9/3,5=$100This is a pretty good size pick 4 ticket but I really couldn’t get away from many of these runners, but it’s always possible a few will be scratched.
Race 7 10-5-3
#10 Eleven It Is showed speed and was caught late in his last start here. Cuts back today to a mile and drops out of a 25K Starter allowance race. Last race speed figure was his career best and I think a repeat of his last race win this one. Fisher is known for his jump training but he’s 20% overall on the turf. #5 Wetumka drops in class and is third off the lay off for Kobiskie who’s 18% with these types of runners. Also showed speed in his recent start and cuts back to a mile, must be respected.#3 Tappahannock broke his maiden in an off the turf race last time out at Laurel. Toledo stays aboard and the switch back to the turf shouldn’t hurt his chance at an upset.
Race 8 14-9-7
#14 Thump is second off the lay off for a trainer I’ve never heard of, but closed very nicely in her last start at Monmouth at a slightly higher level. Don’t like the post to much but I am expecting a few scratches in this race which will move her in some.#9 Jersey Life doesn’t come in here in the greatest form, but takes a pretty solid drop in class. 13 out of 27 starts she’s been first or second at this distance with 7 of those being wins, I feel the drop may wakes her up.#7 Proper Princess was claimed last time out by Juan Vazquez who’s 14% first off the claim. she faced much tougher in her career on turf, this seems to be a much better level for her.
Race 9 2-4-1
#2 Freedom Matters won his last start at Monmouth stalking the pace to win nicely. Emmanuel Esquivel comes into ride this mount. I don’t see much speed in this race so I think he’ll get another nice stalking trip in here and get a jump on the big closers.#4 Positivist made a big closing move in his last race here at this level and a longer distance. His lone turf win was at this distance, certainly has a chance to win here.#1 Sentry ships in from Saratoga and honestly Saratoga shippers have not been running very well here this meet. Have to respect the connections here and I’ll include in the pick 4 play.
Race 10 3-5-1
#3 Optical Illusion made a big closing move last time out at this distance and a slightly higher level into moderate fractions. 0-14 is a reason for some concern but I think this drop get this guy home.#5 Barrel of Stout also closed well into moderate fractions in his last start at Delaware. Trevor McCarthy get back aboard this guy and the drop has to help him as well.#1 Mysurewinwilliams ships in from Tampa after a brief rest and Tampa shippers have been doing very well this meet, must be respected.
Good Luck!!!!!!!