Wedneday August 6 picks

Race 1

#7 MR. AWAD has pretty much everything you look for in a race like this. He’s already won at the elongated distance, is in sharp recent form and is still lightly raced enough to have a little upside. #1A HENRY’S HERO and #1 OPEN ROAD both fit well. #10 RICKY’S FOUR as the talent to win if he can handle the surface switch. #8 WAZEE MOTO skips a condition but loves the distance.

Suggested bet: Exacta box – 7 w/ 1,8,10

Race 2

#8 ROI DE VIOLETTE loves the track, is in sharp form and acts like he’ll love the 1 ¼-mile distance. #10 RESCIGNO is the most talented horse in the race but hasn’t run all that well at the distance before. #2 WE HOPE has been solid all meet and is bred to handle the distance.

Suggested bet: Exacta box – 2,8,10

Race 3

#8 GET A LIL IN takes a good drop in class off a solid fourth last time. #7 GATEWAY WEST ran much better than any of today’s rivals in his lone turf start but it’s an open question whether he’s still that good now. #10 SEA THIS should get a nice stalking trip.

Suggested bet: Exacta box –7,8,10

Race 4

#4 PERFORMER’S IMAGE has already run three good races at this level. #6 MALA MALA CAT beat Performer’s Image last time and obviously fits well. #7 BAGGER VANCE is a reasonable favorite but has already failed twice at short prices this meet. #5 BETTER THAN LUCK is good enough to make an impact at a big price.

Suggested bet: Pick-4 – 4,5,6,7 w/ 5 w/ 3,5,7 w/ 5,6

Race 5

#5 TATJANA’S SALUTE ran well to get second in both of her turf starts, most recently a closing 2^nd to Elchase, who eventually won a tough allowance here. #2 DATS DA BULL was very wide last time but will hopefully be able to save some ground post 2 today. #6 CHECK INTO COBBLEY improved dramatically last time and adds Lasix today.

Suggested bet: Exacta box – 5 w/ 1,2,6

Race 6

#5 WINSTRELLA has simply run much faster than any of today’s rivals. He disappointed last time but returns to turf and takes off the blinkers for this spot. #3 MOUNT WEATHER was a good second at this level last time and almost always runs well here. #7 ELCHASE has a couple of big wins at Colonial and should sit a nice stalking trip today.

Suggested bet: Exacta box – 3,8

Race 7

#6 FAST DEVON returns to dirt after an ultra-impressive turf win last time. He’s run well on dirt before and should be even stronger today in his second start of the year. #5 FRANKIE W was a good fourth behind some tough customers last time. He should relish this 5 furlong distance.

Suggested bet: Pick-3 – 5,6 w/ 1,4,5,7 w/ 5

Race 8

#1 BEBE GRAND returns to the main track after a solid turf try. He’s better on dirt and may loom as the controlling speed today. #4 XIZSTE is sharp right now and loves this distance. #5 CHANGE COURSE has won two straight and must always be considered a threat. #7 BABO has also won two straight but those were on turf and he may be a bit better on that surface.

Suggested bet: Exacta box – 1 w/ 4,5,7

Race 9

#5 BALTIMORE CLASSIC clearly didn’t handle turf last time but should get some additional fitness out of that and be primed for a peak effort at his best trip today. #8 CAPE GIRARDEAU will be tough if he can run as well on dirt as he has on turf. #6 MESSALINA should be rolling on the lead. She’s never been this far so it’s an open question how well she’ll finish down that 1300-foot stretch.

Suggested bet: Win - 5

Tuesday August 5 picks

Race 1

#3 COURSE LITE takes a huge drop just two races after winning for $20,000. He’s a legitimate favorite who should get a perfect stalking trip. #2 LOTSA MACHO was second against tougher last time despite carving out some fast fractions. The extra sixteenth may catch up to him today but he fits very well here and will be on the lead into the stretch.

Suggested bet: Exacta box – 2

Race 2

#8 UNBRIDLED BEHAVIOR was racing competitively in stakes as recently as May so why is he dropped here for $5,000? He’s obviously much the best against this field if he’s right and strong recent works for a very hot trainer indicate that he’s at least close to being right.

Suggested bet: Pick-3 – 8 w/ 2,11 w/ 1,4,7,9

Race 3

#11 RUNNING IN REALITY lost all chance after an equipment failure last time. He’s definitely good enough to win and should be ready for a peak effort with a couple of races under his belt. #2 KEY UNION has been close all meet and draws well today.

Suggested bet: Exacta box – 2,11

Race 4

#7 POWER JEANS always runs well at this course and distance. He’s obviously in good form after a solid closing third in a stakes last time. #9 DIAMOND WILDCAT is very tough in turf sprints. He should win if he’s at his best but is coming off a long layoff today. #4 SMOOTH TANGO cuts back in distance after tiring in three straight mile races.

Suggested bet: Trifecta – 7,9 w/ 1,4,7,9 w/ 1,4,7,9

Race 5

#2 MEXICALI MISSILE is a half brother to a couple of multiple turf winners and has been working steadily for his debut. #2B HAM AND ERNIE is also a solid-looking firster for a top debut trainer. #1A RABBITOUTOFMYHAT and #1 GOING FOR GOLD have both run promises races in their nascent careers. #6 THIEF comes out of a key race and has the pedigree to improve on turf.

Suggested bet: Exacta box – 1,2,6

Race 6

#8 POWDERED DONUT has shown plenty of talent already in just two lifetime starts with a dominant maiden win and a narrow loss at this level. She was caught behind a slow pace in her 1x race and should get more speed to run at today. #3 GLEN WILDING should move forward in her second start off a layoff.

Suggested bet: Exacta box – 3,8

Race 7

#2 JAZZ ENSEMBLE takes an important and logical drop in class. She’s run well on dirt before and should fit very well at this level. #5 SHEZA WONDER has run two straight good races that make her look like an improved horse. #3 ÉCLAIR DES CHAMPS has run several quality races against similar and should be closing fastest late.

Suggested bet: Exacta box – 2,3,5

Race 8

#7 RUNNING GEAR will win this fairly easily is she can replicate her turf form on dirt. #4 MOMMY’SSTAR won impressively on turf last time and is equally as talented on dirt. #2 LITTLEMISSLOUWHO seems to be n top form with three wins in her last five starts. She fits well here and does already have a track and distance win.

Suggested bet: Exacta box – 7 w/ 2,4

Race 9

#7 MIDNIGHT SWIM ran well in a key race two back but was eased last time. She’s certainly good enough to win if she can rebound. #3 LITHGOWCONCERNWISH has two straight seconds in similar spots. #6 UPANDGONE shows a couple of reasonable works for her debut.

Suggested bet: Exacta box - 3,6,7

Monday August 4 picks

Race 1

#1A RABBITOUTOFMYHAT ran much better in his lone race than any of today’s rivals have managed. He’ll be a deserving short-priced favorite. #8 GILLIGAN’S CAT finished well to get third in his debut despite some trouble in upper stretch. #7 ONTHEDOTTEDLINE deserves another chance after a bunch of trouble at the start of his debut.

Suggested bet: Exacta box – 1 w/ 7,8

Race 2

#10 GOLD N’ VELVET can rebound today with a return to her typical deep closing style. #4 DON’T KNOCK TAP was a good third despite a wide trip last time. She doesn’t win very often but the consistent mare is usually in contention. #6 MAKE IT LAST loves this distance.

Suggested bet: Win – 10

Race 3

#7 SHOW BOATIN’ has plenty of speed and is bred to appreciate the switch to turf. #10 SLEW PET is always very tough at this course and distance and will get a perfect set-up today. #3 SET CAMP may be the speed of the speed. #6 HITTHESNOOZE has been awfully tough this meet.

Suggested bet: Exacta box – 7 w/ 3,6,10

Race 4

#8 FAIR WEATHER was very impressive last time, dueling through a fast pace and holding on well to lose by 1¼ lengths. #1 SMILING CAT just missed chasing down a loose on the lead winner last time and was flattered when that rival came back to win again. #1A WHO’S FIRST also fits well in here.

Suggested bet: Pick-4 – 1,8 w/ 6,9 w/ 1,2,6 w/ 4,5

Race 5

#6 WE’RE SAILING has developed a habit of clearing off through very fast fractions and tiring badly late. The same tactics may doom him yet again today but he’s run well enough to win this many times before and will be a big price. #9 BEACHCOMBER has never been worse than third, including a good second at this level last time. #3 AMBASSADOR DAN will get a good setup.

Suggested bet: Exacta box – 3,6,9

Race 6

#2 WHERE’S MY NURSE made an auspicious debut, running second to eventual Virginia Oaks show horse Julia Tuttle. She didn’t run as well last time but clearly has some talent and should have some real upside in her 3^rd lifetime start. #1 MINNALOUSHE’S GIRL has been close on several occasions. #6 MORGAN’S FIELD has been working well at Churchill for her debut.

Suggested bet: Exacta box – 2 w/ 1,4,6

Race 7

#4 TRUE BLUE FINGERS would not even be eligible for this race if he hadn’t bumped a rival en route to an impressive win last weekend. He’s only run one race at this distance – a strong second in a stakes earlier this meet. #5 STEPPEDOUTOFPLACE got caught in a duel last time. He’s won impressively from off the pace before and should have plenty of options from post 5.

Suggested bet: Pick-3 – 4,5 w/ 1,7 w/ 3,5

Race 8

#1 WON AFFAIR showed little sprinting on turf in his debut but today is a whole new ballgame and Luis Garcia sticks with him. #7 B G MAN tries dirt for the first time after a solid run for second on turf last time. If he can transfer that turf form over to the main track he’ll be tough. #6 TU BAKU should be closing late for a piece.

Suggested bet: Exacta box – 1,7

Race 9

#3 THE ONE TO CHASE hasn’t run on the main track in a long time but he handled it fine earlier in his career and he appears to be much faster than today’s rivals. #5 FINISHLION was third against similar last time and has every right to improve in his third start.

Suggested bet: Win - 3

Sunday August 3 picks

Race 1

#3 POMPANO BEACH ROSE has been close for $25,000. The drop to $15,000 should be all she needs to break through. #1 I AM THE QUEEN got caught way wide from post 11 last time but gets the rail today. She should be right there at the wire but does have a tendency to lose close photos. #6 SHE’S HIS LITE comes out of a key race and stretches out for the first time today.

Suggested bet: Win - 3

Race 2

#6 WHITE HART LANE has been terrific all meet. He should get a perfect setup today with plenty of speed signed on to flatter his late kick. #3 ROSEVILLE RUN is always competitive and also projects to a very nice trip today. #5 LEADING CHARACTER should also be finishing strongly. #8 EAMONN lit up the tote board last weekend. He’d be much less of a surprise this time.

Suggested bet: Exacta box – 6 w/ 3,5,8

Race 3

#6 FAMED AFFAIR ran well in his lone turf start and may well be even better sprinting. He probably needs the lead but there isn’t a whole lot of early speed in here to deny him. #1 MELMONT has been right there in three starts at this level. #8 NEON LIGHTS was terrific last time but may not get as a good a pace setup today.

Suggested bet: Exacta box – 6 w/ 1,8

Race 4

#7 GOLDEN DOVE broke her maiden impressively last time, dueling through fast fractions and holding on very well. She’s also run well from off the pace so she should be able to adapt to any pace scenario. #9 FLOR DE CANELA has been unlucky in several of her Colonial races. She has the talent. Will the luck come today? #1 GRAZEZING has been a beaten favorite twice here.

Suggested bet: Pick- 4 – 1,7,9 w/ 1 w/ 2,3,5,8 w/ 4,6

Race 5

#1A JE SUIS PREST just won a 1x and drops all the way to $5,000. She’s a VA-bred who is out of conditions so the drop really isn’t suspicious and the stretchout should be no problem. #1 LADY STRIKER is clearly good enough but may be hampered by the fast pace. #4 MATTER OF STYLE has been running well against tougher. #7 HONEY’S MEADOW is on a roll.

Suggested bet: Win – 1

Race 6

#2 ONE SUNDAY has been steadily improving all meet and should have the lead all to himself today. #3 S’NO SURRENDER ran well in his debut and has every right to move forward today. #5 FLYBOY has been agonizingly close in several races this season. He’ll be flying late yet again but may run out of ground one more time. #8 GEAX BAYOU will also be finishing strongly in the lane.

Suggested bet: Trifecta – 2,3 w/ 2,3,5 w/ 2,3,5,8

Race 7

#4 TROLL BRIDGE had a little traffic trouble last time and should move forward today in his second start of the year. #6 PASCO GETTLE looked like a winner in deep stretch last time. He clearly fits well at this level. #1 STAR PRESS has run several solid races at this level but couldn’t get past a tiring Pasco Gettle last time.

Suggested bet: Pick-3 – 4,6 w/ 2,3,5 w/ 3,7,11

Race 8

#3 PERFECT FOREST is the most talented horse in here and the G2 winner has a nice turf pedigree that suggests she may be even better on the lawn. #5 KITTY CAT EXPRESS is 2 for 2. She was especially impressive accelerating late to win despite a slow pace last time. #2 TOP TIME couldn’t handle stakes competition last time but always puts in her powerful late run.

Suggested bet: Exacta box – 2,3,5

Race 9

#3 VEHEMENT was a good third behind two next out winners last time. He’ll be on the lead and should prove very tough to catch. #7 BRAVE TROY shortens up to a sprint for the first time in his life and drops in class. #11 PASSIONATE HALO may wake up on turf.

Suggested bet: Exacta box – 3 w/ 7,11