Horse Play of the Day from Colonial Downs

We only head out to Colonial Downs in New Kent, Va. once or twice a year, and today is one of those occasions.

The first leg of the Jacobs Investments Grand Slam of Grass is the $500,000 Colonial Turf Cup (G2), a 1 3/16 mile turf race for three year olds.

If the winner can also win the Virginia Derby (G2), Secretariat Stakes (G1) at Arlington Park, and then the Breeders’ Cup Turf (G1) at Santa Anita later this fall, there is a $5 million bonus paid out.

The co-feature today is the $150,000 All Along Stakes (G3), a nine-furlong turf event for fillies and mares.

Both races drew large and competitive fields and are excellent betting races as we attempt to pad our bankroll, turning green into green.

Colonial Downs Race 10 All Along Stakes G3 Post time 5:21 ET

#5 Icon Project 6/1

#4 I Lost My Choo 5/2

#12 Astrologie 4/1

#7 Indescribable 7/2

#5 Icon Project returns off a two month break after a third place finish in the La Prevoyante Handicap (G2) at Calder where she was beaten 2 ¼ lengths for the top spot. The filly broke a step slow, was rated off a slow pace and finished well for third while unable to make up enough ground in the stretch on the gate to wire winner Criticism. The winner, a five year old mare owned by Darley Stable came back to win the Grade 2 Sheepshead Bay in her next outing on May 23 at Belmont Park. Our top pick has just two wins on her resume, but the $775K purchase makes her fourth start since arriving in the U.S. and going to Wolfson and I don’t think we have seen the best out of this gal yet. She has plenty of pedigree, by Empire Maker out of the stakes winner La Gueriere ($335K), who also dropped turf stakes winner Lasting Approval ($510K). Leparoux hits at a 33% clip when riding for the barn.

#4 I Lost My Choo won the Va. Oaks here last year and likely is going to go off as the favorite. She prepped sharply for this race by wining the New York bred Mt. Vernon last out at Belmont Park. Two back she was not a threat in the Jenny Wiley (G2), but that race sure came up tough. The winner of the race was Forever Together, who won the Breeders’ Cup Filly & Mare Turf (G1) last year and she returned to finish a good second in the Just a Game Handicap (G1) on June 6 at Belmont Park. The runner up Ruthierene came out of the Jenny Wiley to win the Nassau (G2) in her next outing on May 30 at Woodbine. She does her best running on firm turf. The last racing day here was Tuesday, where the turf started off soft, was upgraded to good, and figures to be good to firm today. She is a logical threat here but the price is likely going to be on the light side.

Wagering

WIN: #5 to win at 7/2 or better.

EX: 4,5 / 4,5,7,12

TRI: 4,5 / 4,5,7,12 / 4,5,6,7,10,12

Colonial Downs Race 11 Colonial Turf Cup S. G2 Post time 6:16 ET

#7 Final Count 12/1

#8 Battle of Hastings 2/1

#3 Rescue Squad 6/1

#10 Lime Rickey 7/2

#7 Final Count is likely going to be a price in here, getting overlooked on the tote off just four career starts and a win last out against first level allowance company at Churchill Downs. He broke his maiden two back on polytrack at Keeneland in his second career start and was flattered when two came out of the race to earn their diplomas in their next starts. The $120K Keeneland purchase has the pedigree to be a nice turf horse. He is by Smart Strike out of the Pleasant Colony mare Martinique, who has dropped one other foal to race, turf stakes winner Communique ($591K), a full sister to our top pick. This colt still has some upside potential and today could be his breakthrough as he tries stakes company for the first time.

#8 Battle of Hastings is the most accomplished turf runner in this field. He is a two-time stakes winner on the weeds in his four starts since coming to the U.S. and landing with the Jeff Mullins barn. Last out he caught turf labeled as “good” and checked in a good second in the American Turf (G3), beaten ¾ of a length to Orthodox, who scored the big upset at 45/1 and then ran eighth in the Arlington Classic in his next start. His two stakes wins have come at 6 1/2 furlongs and then a mile, but his running style suggests he can handle the extra ground here. He fits well here but the price is going to be on the light side.

#3 Rescue Squad is making his stakes debut here and fist start off a two-month break for the McGaughey barn. The colt was a sharp first level allowance winner in his last outing in a race taken off the turf and contested over the polytrack surface. In his last turf start, he was third in a highly graded race won by Golden Mexico, who checked in fourth in the Arlington Classic in his next start. Runner up Affirmitif came back to win the Woodlawn Stakes at Pimlico on Preakness Day. Decent works on the morning tab and this guy has a solid turf pedigree. He is by Dynaformer out of the stakes placed Search Party ($258K), who did her best running on the main track but has tossed turf stakes winner Criminologist ($554K). It is encouraging to see Prado stick with this guy and he may end up a nice overlay in this spot.

Wagering

WIN: #7 to win at 6/1 or better.

EX: 7,8 / 3,7,8,10

TRI: 7,8 / 3,7,8,10 / 3,5,6,7,8,10

Good luck padding your bankroll today!