Colonial Downs: Pick 5 for Closing Day Sept. 7, 2022

It’s a mandatory payout as Colonial Downs strings together the final Pick 5 sequence of the meet. With no Saratoga, we’ll likely see a nice pool. And as always, with large competitive fields, we can bank on finding separation and a value path across these turf contests.

• R8            1,2,3,4,10,11
• R9            7
• R10          10,12
• R11          3,6
• R12          1,2,3,5,9,10,11,12

50-cent Pick 5 = $96

Race 8

#1 Malibu Curl (15-1) will be nowhere near that ML price with Irad up and shipping in from Saratoga. A strong first turf effort last race, she’s signaling a horse on the rise. #2 No Mo Lady (15-1) has speed figures that make sense and four morning works for Trombetta between her last start and today. #3 Mo Clare’s (2-1) comes in after winning her last two as the lone speed. She could easily accomplish that again today and Block knows how to keep his barn in form. #4 Gastown Babe (15-1) blew the start and the first turn, forcing her to race from the back when she prefers to be on or near the lead. Gets a rider upgrade and is dangerous in here. #10 Unruly Julie (6-1)’s gallop-out two back showed me she wants longer, but then Godsey took over and cut her back in distance, resulting in a 1 1/2 length loss. We get back to the distance of two back, which should be enough to get the edge on Mo Clare’s who beat her in the last. #11 Tass (12-1) is another miss by the ML-maker. This filly will be near favoritism come post time, and for good reasons. She owns the second fastest last-race Brisnet Speed figure, has been racing at Saratoga, and most recently fired a bullet workout. 

Race 9

Five-time winner #7 Spun Glass (5-2) has been beating or facing much tougher recently and should make easy work of this field. The pace should set up nicely with the early speed on the rail, and the advantage has been to the outside posts in these turf sprints at Colonial. 

Race 10

#10 Daniel Sun (9-2) should offer some separation here with the front runners and foe to the far outside likely being used on most tickets. He lost by a neck against this level after being blocked in the stretch and having to stop, maneuver, and re-rally. #12 Tate (7-2) has a strong late kick which should be on full display in the final stages as the pacesetters wear down.

Race 11

#3 Determined Kingdom (5-2) just finished 3 1/2 lengths behind turf sprint phenom Big Invasion. Before that he strung together two wins in a row including a 5 1/2-length stake score here against two of today’s foes. 2021 winner #6 Grateful Bred (2-1) will be dangerous on or near the lead.

Race 12

#1 Nomadic Fighter (8-1) seemed like a lock last race with the class drop but just didn’t fire. Worth another shot in here. #2 One Lucky Day (10-1) lost two lengths finding position early last race. Otherwise ran well and is dangerous here if he can repeat.  #3 Seizing the Dream (8-1) gets some class relief making his second start for Toner. #5 Noble Cross (9-2) dueled through scorching fractions last out and sustained that bid until the final strides. Should be the lone speed this time and ready to capitalize to close out the Colonial Downs meet on a high note for trainer Kelsey Danner. #9 Star Shopping (12-1) messed around chasing the leader last time and had no kick left at the end. That’s not his style, and he could surprise at a price. Lightly-raced and 5-for-5 ITM, #10 Fredisaten (5-1) gets another shot at this 1 1/8-mile distance after finishing a long neck short in his first try. #11 And the Oscar Goes (8-1) will love the extra distance. #12 Empire Builder (15-1) couldn't have recovered to win from the last trip if he was Flightline. We’d be smart to assume this three-year-old colt has progressed after that strong maiden win showing two back. The only question is turf.