Stakes Selections for Colonial Downs on July 15

A total of four stakes events will headline the action on a fine day of racing at Colonial Downs.

Race 4 – Tyson Gilpin/Glenn Petty S.

Fillies and mares will dash 5 1/2 furlongs on the outer lawn in the first black-type affair of the afternoon. #8 Chambeau (5-2) won this race at first asking in 2022 and will make her seasonal debut on this occasion. The Anthony Aguirre trainee possesses good early speed, a fine outside post slot, and positive experience over the oval, too. The lightly raced daughter of Karakontie will be tough to deny with her best showing beneath Horacio Karamanos.

Race 5 – Punch Line S.

Virginia-bred boys will go 5 1/2 panels in this tilt with 10 signed on for the voyage. Michael Trombetta’s #2 Embolden (10-1) sports a 5-2-2-0 mark on the course and rallied behind a dawdling pace to be second in the contest last campaign. The gray son of The Factor didn’t fire in his seasonal bow most recently, but he will improve in his second try off the shelf on Saturday. The late runner will have a better pace scenario to rally into today under Karamanos.

Race 6 – Brookmeade S.

Sophomore fillies bred in Virginia will travel 1 1/16 miles on the inner lawn in a race led by Michael Stidham’s #1 Tufani (4-5). The $140,000 yearling purchase was unplaced on debut but has won a pair of races in succession since stretching out in distance, which includes a sharp allowance score at Laurel Park last time out. This Distorted Humor gray is perfectly drawn on the rail to save ground to the top of the lane prior to putting in her winning run with Jevian Toledo in the stirrups.

For the exotics, #4 Bode’s Heritage (15-1) merits respect at a big number for trainer Arnaud Delacour. The bay filly will step up in class on this day, but she has very good form and also the early speed to be in range from the start with Vincent Cheminaud riding.

Race 7 – Edward P. Evans S.

The one-mile test on the inner turf for the boys attracted a field of 10. #6 Passion Play (4-1), who captured this race in 2021, will make his first start of 2023 for conditioner Mary Eppler. The seven-year-old son of Hold Me Back is a smart three-for-five on the local lawn and has run quite well off of layoffs in the past, as well. Of the trio of potential standouts in the field, the gelding appears to have the best value. Karamanos has the assignment.