BetAmerica’s horse racing pick of the day: Aug. 4, Colonial Downs

Weekday picks and plays for Thoroughbred racing.

Tuesday, Aug. 4

Colonial Downs, Race 5: Allowance/optional claiming (1 1/16 miles on turf, 7:22 p.m. ET)

Trainer Michael Stidham has been on fire at Colonial Downs, where he has three wins and three seconds from seven starters at the current meet. And since 2019, Stidham has gone 9-for-20 (45%) in turf routes at Colonial Downs, with another five runners in the money.

With that in mind, Stidham’s 3-year-old filly #2 Embossed (4-1 on the morning line) warrants respect against older rivals in Tuesday’s fifth race at Colonial Downs. The daughter of Medaglia d’Oro rallied nicely to finish third by a length in the 1 1/16-mile Christiana S. over the Delaware Park turf course last month and earned a competitive 87 Brisnet Speed rating.

Embossed has kept tough company throughout her career and has never finished out of the trifecta on turf. A break from post 2 should allow this Godolphin homebred to work out a ground-saving trip under Colonial’s leading rider, Trevor McCarthy, who went 5-for-16 (31%) to start the meet.

A win bet on Embossed is in order, but we’ll also play her in the exacta, with #3 Beale Street (5-2), who broke her maiden over this course last summer.

$20 to win on #2 Embossed
$3 exacta: 2 with 3
$7 exacta: 3 with 2
Total: $30

Good luck!