Just one more sleep until the big day at Colonial Downs, but first we’ll dive in and try to build some bankroll with this Friday card. Be on the lookout for my coverage of the meet in podcast/video form elsewhere as I joined Mikee P. on the network for some spot play analysis and helped out Nick Tammaro and the TwinSpires team with coverage of Saturday’s Late Pick 5.
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Selections
- Race 1: 3-4-6-5
- Race 2: 6-1-4-2
- Race 3: 1-7-9-3
- Race 4: 2-5-4-3
- Race 5: 11-9-4-5
- Race 6: 1-5-2-8
- Race 7: 9-6-2-1
- Race 8: 6-2-1-5
- Race 9: 4-7-9-6
Colonial Downs Race 5: Yo Adrian (#11) at 5-2 or higher
It’s a nice bulky field signed on for this N2L turf sprint and the first thing I noticed is the presence of quite a bit of speed. Both the two inside runners along with Cash Machine (#9) like to gun from the get-go, so this race could come apart late. Of the speeds, I think Cash Machine is the most dangerous given he’s drawn outside which will give Karamanos options. I’d argue Goal (#5) is the horse to beat given he should benefit from the projected quick pace and he drops back to a reasonable level, but has the layoff to contend with. I went with Yo Adrian (#11) as the top pick as she’s another runner who should be closing late. Usually, I shy away from runners claimed away from Jamie Ness, but Brittany Russell has had this filly in her care before and that’s when she produced two of her best efforts. I’ll throw a mention to Tiz a Princess (#4) as well because while this is a class test off a maiden win, she’s got licence to improve as a 3YO and the O’Dwyer barn has been hot this meet.
Colonial Downs Race 8: Glean (#6) at 7-2 or higher
It’s a pretty fun N1X allowance as the penultimate race on this Friday card and it will be interesting to see how Noquestionaboutit (#1) stacks up with this group off her second consecutive win in the Glenn Petty Stakes. She looked really good winning that effort and she has an affinity for this course and distance, but this will be a class test at a short number. Love Actually (#2) is an interesting alternative second off the bench for the Joe Orseno barn. She has the speed to get forwardly placed early in this event and even though she’ll be shorter than the 24-1 she was last time, she’ll still be a decent number. However, I made my top pick Glean (#6) given I see her as having the most natural talent in the race and she should be a fair price. Wesley Ward has had plenty of success over the years shipping in turf sprinters to this Colonial meet. While this McKinzie filly has been running by appointment only over her career, on her best day she should be able to handle this group.
Colonial Downs Race 9: In Her Glory (#4) at 5-1 or higher
Plenty of ways to go in the nightcap as a field of 12 is drawn in the body of the race. I think a lot of the play is going to be funneled towards Connect the Stars (#1) and That Wasn’t Me (#6) and while both can certainly win, they’ll have questions to answer at short prices. The former is well drawn along the inside, but lacked a little punch in her race at this level last out. The latter was super impressive rallying to win a maiden event over the course back in June, but it’s tough to come right back against winners. The same can be said for Tiz the Lady (#9) who steps up to allowance company after winning a high-priced maiden claiming event at Aqueduct last out, but she could be a rare opportunity to get a decent price on a Shug/West Point runner. I nearly made Fond of You (#7) the top pick in this spot as she is bred head-to-toe for this surface switch out of the dam Hallie Belle who was G3 placed on the lawn and produced the versatile Maycocks Bay. This Godolphin filly has talent, but will have to also overcome a layoff. Ultimately, I landed on In Her Glory (#4) as the top pick. She has a recency edge on some of the competition and I thought got a useful prep in over the course last time rallying belatedly in a 5.5f sprint. I’m wondering if this was Trombetta’s plan all along to stretch as she’s by Constitution and dam Zonda won routing on the grass. There’s obviously talent there as she won an open maiden special weight at Saratoga last summer and these connections are very dangerous at Colonial.
#TheCheatSheet
2026 Summer Meet Statistics (thru 7/29)
All
Top Picks: 61-17-11-14 (28%, $1.88); Featured Horses: 19-5-4-4 (26%, $2.81)
Fair Odds Met
Top Picks: 45-13-5-12 (29%, $2.30); Featured Horses: 16-4-2-4 (25%, $3.14)
Grid
Percent of Races Won By: A’s: 57%; B’s: 28%; C’s: 10%; X’s: 5%
