Colonial Downs Tip Sheet/Racing Analysis For Friday August 23rd

Colonial Downs | Full Card Expert Selections

by Merv Huber-Calvo

Race 1

MONEY IN THE BANK (4) closed well to be second vs. much tougher last week and should appreciate the added distance to work with today. ROCK ON KITTEN (1A) has been facing tough, full fields with three good runner-up finishes to his credit. NORTHWESTERN (5) makes his first start in nine months with a big drop in class; he is the wild card in this race.

TOP PICKS: 4-1A-5-3

Race 2

DOROTHYFROMDUBLIN (4) might possess the best speed in this race and most recently dusted $5k claimers at Tampa. JUMPIN’ NANCY (6) got a bit tired versus tougher last out but cuts back in distance and drops in class for this race. CALAMITY JANE (1) drops back in distance after a poor effort but was facing much better earlier this year with much better speed figures.

TOP PICKS: 4-6-1-3

Race 3

MAMMA DEE (5) drops in class and ships in from New York where she was facing much tougher competition. PASS IT ON (4) is the likely pacesetter and drops in class from a tougher race opening weekend. JANELLE DREAMS (7) ran a good race at this level two back to be second, beaten less than a length.

TOP PICKS: 5-4-7-1

Race 4

CANEEL BAY (12) was a good second at a higher level last out and stands to improve in her second start off a 6-month layoff. RISK REVERSAL (8) was beaten only six lengths and a similar effort puts him right in the mix. HIGH RIDER (9) should improve in his second start off nearly a year-long layoff as he also drops in class.

TOP PICKS: 12-8-9-6

Race 5

WAR STROLL (7) takes a big drop in class from open $16k claiming to conditions $5k claiming off a pair of strong efforts. NOT A CHANCE (8) also drops in class and was only a neck beaten by War Stroll two races back. THE ZIP ZIP MAN (3) beat Not a Chance last out despite a rough trip and may offer more value than the top two.

TOP PICKS: 7-8-3-9

Race 6

PRINCESS CARRIGAN (1) was a good second last time out in her turf debut and well ahead of the third place finisher. GYPSY GIRL (4) was well bet in debut but carried wide early, yet didn’t lose ground on the leaders throughout the race. PLAYLAND (10) could improve in second career start and turf debut for leading trainer Jamie Ness.

TOP PICKS: 1-4-10-6

Race 7

ROSE HAY ALL DAY (6) was a dominant winner over maidens here last weekend after a bad start and looks tough in her first start versus winners. CONQUESTHARDCHERRY (5) closed a lot of ground late to be third at this level last out and should like the extra distance today. DILLY DOES IT (13) faced non-winners of three races last time and drops back to his NW2 condition.

TOP PICKS: 6-5-13-9

Race 8

SPEED GAME (7) looks like a standout here dropping out of the allowance conditions to face a relatively soft bunch in this starter allowance. TITO TONIGHT (2) lit up the tote on opening weekend and will be competitive in here if he can run back to that race. CHARM OFFENSIVE (6) beat $8k claimers two back and has run well on the turf previously.

TOP PICKS: 7-2-6-1/1A

Race 9

CREAKY CRICKET (5) should move up as he cuts back to sprint distance in this race. KING GATTO (7) drops from open claiming ranks to conditioned level after two deceptively food efforts. TACO (3) is the wildcard in this race having not run in 2.5 years and taking a massive drop in class in his comeback race.

TOP PICKS: 5-7-3-4

Value Plays By Race Caller Jason Beem

Race 3 – #4 PASS IT ON – Morning Line Odds: 8/1

Race 5 – #10 CRIMSON SPADE – Morning Line Odds: 10/1