Tonight is my final card at Colonial Downs. I must say I’ve really enjoyed doing these for the Daily Gallop gang and I hope to be back next season. It’s so awesome to see racing back in Virginia and i hope it stays for a long time to come. Hope everyone enjoyed reading my thoughts during this meet. If one person learned something about handicapping or had a nice winner I did my job. As I type this hurricane Dorian still hasn’t made up her mind as to how close she’ll get to the Va. coast. I’m doing all these picks hoping she stays far enough away not to affect the weather in New Kent. I’m not doing picks for off the turf because I feel the fields will be devastated if the races are taken off. I asked my friend @Lonehandicapper for a little input on a couple of these races with first timers in it because she’s an excellent pedigree player and overall handicapper. As always anyone wanting to chat horses can find me on twitter @stonerhole.
Best Bet Race 3 #6 Chasing the Candy
Long Shot Play Race 7 #6 Don’t Tell Me
Race 1 7-1-3
#7 Charlie Mops finished 4th at this level here on Aug. 15th, shipped to Delaware park and won a race at a higher level at 5F. Ships back here now and drops off that win. A repeat of the last race should handle these.#1 Silent Tale is an eleven year old guy who has won twice on this track over 6 years ago. This is the lowest level he’s run at in quite some time and may show these young guys he’s still got it.#3 The Zip Zip Man won here at this distance 2 weeks ago, sitting just off the pace. He takes a logical step up in class, but the last time he ran a big speed figure he bounced in his next race, maybe.
Pick 4 Play 1,4,5/1A(only),4,6,7/1(only),2,9/1,3,5=$54
Race 2 5-1-4
#5 Quality H Two O finished 5th here last weekend beaten only 5 lengths at a much tougher level. She now 3rd off the lay off for Teresa Connelly who’s 21% with these type of runners. Speed figures have increased in every career start.#1 Truly Red will most likely be the favorite in here, dropping slightly for Jamie Ness who’s a ridiculous 43% this meet. She’s also first time turf and adds blinkers for this start. #4 Fair Winds is a first timer by Tapizar who’s runners are very good first time out. Turf breeding on the dam side certainly helps.
Race 3 6-3-1A
#6 Chasing the Candy ships in from Presque Isle and drops to maiden claimers for the first time. He has excellent turf breeding top and bottom. The drop in class should get this guy home first.#3 Just Chill Out takes a pretty solid drop in class here. His last race speed figure is the best in the field and he must be respected with the drop.#1A Audacious Quality ran an ok 5th here last time out. He also get pretty solid class relief and his speed figures have increased recently.
Race 4 1-2-9
#1 Dorothyfromdublin won here 2 weeks ago and now takes a drop in class which makes me wonder Dennis Ward is thinking. Leslie Mawing is listed on both the 1 and 1A but this one is by far the better part of the entry. A repeat of her last race makes her very tough.#2 Bearsatlanticmist ships in from Laurel for Jamie Ness and drop slightly. Two wins in eight turf starts is average but right now anything Ness sends out has to be respected and included in your wagers.#9 Jersey Life has race at 6 other tracks this year and tonight will be her 7th. She beaten better in her career and she 13 for 27 either 1st or 2nd on the turf at this distance, maybe.
Race 5 1-3-5
#1 Celtic Mission finished 4th here 2 weeks ago closing nicely only beaten 3 lengths. He’s now 2nd off the lay off so he certainly should improve off his last effort. #3 Harlan’s Vador ships in from Arlington Park. Arlington shipper have done very well this meet. He’s 0-13 but he drops slightly in class and he comes in with a bullet work. #5 Risk Reversal finished ahead of top pick last time out showing speed and just getting caught late. There’s a lot to like about this guy, the drop in class, the speed, third off the lay off but speed has not be holding at all on the turf this meet. I think I can only remember about 3 or 4 horses going wire to wire on the turf.
Late Pick 4 Play 1A(only)/3,5,6,7/1,4,6,7,8/1,4,6,9=$40
Race 6 1A-8-3
I looked long and hard at this race and I’m still not sure I’m even close to being right. In all honesty this is an ugly field, so if you can go deeper then the 3 I picked in here I’d do so because you never know when one of these will jump up and win. The only other option I had was single the 1A and take my chances, there’s always a pick 3 in the next race.
#1A Spettacoli drops in class after being only beaten by 2 lengths here his last time out. Seed figures have increased in his last two starts and he just missed at this level 3 back at Tampa. #8 Promised broke his maiden on the turf 2 starts back. His last race was rained off the turf so the return to the turf here has to help his chances. #3 Irish Mail was claimed last time out by Jennifer Shannon who has had 2 winners from 5 starters here at this meet. This is a claim back by her which is an angle I do like, must respect.
Race 7 6-3-7
#6 Don’t Tell Me has excellent turf breeding top and bottom. Dane Kobiskie is 16% with his first time turf starters and this field is really not that solid. My price play!!#3 Showed speed at a mile then stopped like he hit a wall. The cut back to 5 1/2 F has to help her chance and being second off the lay off she should have more stamina. #7 Gone Fishing I’m throwing out her last race figuring she didn’t like the give in the ground. Her race 2 back puts her in the mix with this field.
Race 8 6-8-7
#6 Celebration finished third at this level last time out at Delaware. This guy is 5 for 19 at this distance and his speed figures have been increasing lately. #8 Glory Song tries the turf for the first time in his career for Ness. Breeding certainly says turf and 2 solid works since his last race including a bullet 4F work makes his a big contender.#7 Best Chance Yet may just have his best chance in this race being 3rd off the lay off after finishing second here in his last in allowance company. Must respect.
Race 9 1-9-6
#1 Irishtown returns to sprinting after a horrible effort last time out at a mile which was scheduled for the Laurel turf. This guy also drops from MSW company to maiden claimers which only increases his chances.#9 Mr. Hand Full has excellent turf breeding top and bottom. Three excellent works here at Colonial including a bullet best of 29 4F in 47.2 followed by a nice breeze makes this guy a big contender.#6 Strong and Brave also has excellent turf breeding. Works have been ok for the debut and trainer Schoenthal is 16% with his first time turf starters, must respect.