Catching My Eye at Colonial Downs Week 3

Colonial Downs track announcer Jason Beem discusses some things that caught his eye at Colonial Downs in week 3 of racing. 

Week 3 is in the books at Colonial Downs, and it was easily our best weather week so far. Friday nights continue to be the most fun on the track, and Saturday’s card was very solid. Here are a few things that caught my eye during week 3 at Colonial. 

Merry and Bright

Friday night we saw a couple of pretty promising debuts in the 5th race, including winner Merry and Bright. A first-time starter from the Michael Stidham barn and Godolphin, Merry and Bright sat just off of an extremely slow pace, but kicked away nicely down the lane to win by three lengths. Because of what seemed to be the slowest pace of the season thus far, I’m sure the speed figures will come back low. But to my eye test, this was a really solid debut for this two-year-old filly. I wouldn’t be at all surprised if we see her try stakes company next out. 

That same race produced a good debut second-place finish from the Graham Motion-trained Smartest. Smartest was sent off as the 3/5 post-time favorite, which is kind of crazy because Graham Motion isn’t necessarily known for having them fully cranked up for the debut. I think this one’s $500,000+ purchase price was what got so many bettors leaning her way. She was well back behind that slow early pace and when she got going late, she really looked nice down the lane. She was just never going to catch Merry and Bright, who very much got the jump on her, but she can run. 

Think Big

Another Stidham barn and Godolphin runner to keep an eye on was Think Big. Coming over from Churchill Downs after a promising debut that saw him miss the break and still rally to finish fifth, he dominated here on Saturday. He set a new track record for seven furlongs, but the dirt course has been playing so crazy fast this meet that I kind of dismiss those right now. 

But you don’t want to dismiss how much more professional he was in career start number two, and how good he looked down the lane running away from his rivals. It wasn’t the strongest maiden special we’ve had here this season as a whole, but both Think Big and runner-up D’oro Unbridled both look pretty good. 

Closers faring well

People are always asking me if there’s a prevailing bias of any kind on the Colonial turf course. As a general rule, I think races can be won from anywhere there, it really just depends on the horse and the race shape. But between Friday and Saturday this past week, only one horse went gate to wire on grass and that was the first race Friday. Everything after that was coming from off the lead to win, including several who came from fifth or further back. 

A tricky part about following Colonial is week to week the rails change. Week 1, we were at 0 and 60 feet (inner/outer). Week 2, it was 20 and 80 feet and this past week was 40 and 100 feet. I believe the plan is to go out again 20 more feet for week 4 and then back in to 0 for fresh ground for Arlington Million weekend. Obviously weather can affect things, but I’m wondering if we see speed play well on Million weekend because those inner paths won’t have been run on for three-plus weeks.