Colonial Downs Saturday, September 9, Virginia Derby Analysis

Saturday's races from Colonial Downs feature several stakes races. The featured race is the grade 3 Virginia Derby on turf. The full field means great opportunities for bettors.

Full Card Analysis

Colonial Downs- 1

Post: 1:30 PM ET; $75k Maiden Special Weight, 1 1/8 miles on turf; Entries: 6

• #1 KRONE (7-2) gets the top selection, boasting races good enough to beat this group. She has proven her ability to handle these conditions in previous starts.
• #5 DETERMINED EMPIRE (5-2) is also a top pick, with races strong enough to prevail. This one appears to be the class of the field.
• #3 WARIDI CANDY (12-1) stands as a price horse and a significant contender in this race, supported by her speed figures.
• #6 POR UNA CABEZA (8-5) is another major player, deserving respect with the Motion-Ruiz combination. She possesses tactical speed and can strategically position herself just off the leaders for a stalk-and-pounce trip.

Selections: 1 – 5 – 3 – 6

Colonial Downs- 2

Post: 1:58 PM ET; $45k Maiden Claiming, 6 furlongs on dirt; Entries: 8

• #6 IMPERIALTY (9-5) is our top pick, entering the race in excellent form.
• #2 CONNECTAMUNDO (5-2) is a major player in this race, likely to improve in his second start, and benefits from the McMahon barn and Leparoux in the irons. He's well-bred for this occasion.
• #5 BANKER BLAYNEY (6-1) debuts here and shouldn't be underestimated, especially with the Kingsley-Ashton combination.
• #1 DIALED IN A PANIC (8-1) is also making his debut and shouldn't be dismissed, given his favorable breeding.

Selections: 6 – 2 – 5 – 1

Colonial Downs- 3

Post: 2:26 PM ET; $40k Starter Optional Claiming, 1 1/16 miles on turf; Entries: 10

• #6 YANKEE DOLLAR (3-2) appears to be the standout choice here, having previously demonstrated an ability to handle these conditions.
• #10 INANNA'S QUEST (8-1) emerges as a serious contender, entering the race in excellent form. This one is expected to sit mid-pack and make a late charge.
• #4 PANOTTI (3-1) is likely to be competitive in this spot, racing for the O'Connell barn and with Ortiz in the irons. Her consistent pace figures bode well for a moderately paced race.
• #9 BALI KUTA (10-1) is a price horse with a chance, given her past performances and consistent pace figures.

Selections: 6 – 10 – 4 – 9

Colonial Downs- 4

Post: 2:56 PM ET; $45k Maiden Claiming, 1 1/16 miles on turf; Entries: 8

• #1 WAY TOO EARLY (3-2) gets the nod as the top selection. She tends to run consistently and should find a fair pace scenario here.
• #3 LAKESIDE GETAWAY (9-5) is a fringe contender with tactical speed, well-suited for a stalk-and-pounce trip.
• #2 SHE'S LIKE THUNDER (12-1) is a price horse and likely competing for minor placings. She's expected to sit mid-pack and make a late push.
• #5 GOOD ACCELEBRATE (20-1) is another price horse aiming for the minor placings, with a similar strategy of sitting mid-pack and making a late run.

Selections: 1 – 3 – 2 – 5

Colonial Downs- 5

Post: 3:25 PM ET; $70k Allowance, 1 1/16 miles on turf; Entries: 13

• #4 SEVEN BRIDGES ROAD (3-1) appears to be a major player in this race based on speed figures.
• #6 OHANA HONOR (10-1) is our top pick, a price horse that should be respected with the Mcgaughey-Carmouche combination. He's not likely to have trouble with the distance.
• #12 SMALL FIELD (20-1) is another price horse to consider, expected to benefit from a hot pace up front.
• #2 FINGAL (10-1) is also a price horse with competitive speed figures, potentially benefiting from a hot pace up front.

Selections: 4 – 6 – 12 – 2

Colonial Downs- 6

Post: 3:58 PM ET; $150k Da Hoss S., 5 1/2 furlongs on turf; Entries: 10

• #8 NOBALS (3-1) looks strong here and should be part of the early pace. He makes sense on speed figures.
• #10 HIGH LIMIT ROOM (10-1) is a price horse and a major player in this race, likely to handle the distance without trouble.
• #5 ALOGON (12-1) is another price horse and appears to be a contender, expected to be in the first flight of runners and with a chance late.
• #7 SOUPER QUEST (7-2) should be competitive, as he's been solid in recent starts and is poised for a strong performance here.

Selections: 8 – 10 – 5 – 7

Colonial Downs- 7

Post: 4:33 PM ET; $125k Kitten's Joy S., 1 1/16 miles on turf; Entries: 13

• #4 TOK TOK (4-1) should improve and gets the top selection, as she has to be respected with the Motion-Ruiz combination. She typically runs evenly and should find a fair pace scenario.
• #9 MASSIF (9-2) is a major player, projected to sit mid-pack and make a late run.
• #13 DETERMINED SAIL (15-1) is a price horse and another significant contender, also expected to sit mid-pack and make a late charge.
• #12 MAINSTREAM SELLOUT (30-1) is a price horse that should be competitive, given her previous performances and solid recent form.

Selections: 4 – 9 – 13 – 12

Colonial Downs- 8

Post: 5:10 PM ET; $125k Exacta Systems Rosie's S., 5 1/2 furlongs on turf; Entries: 11

• #5 NO NAY METS (5-2) is our top pick, with races strong enough to beat this group. Her consistent pace figures should work well in a moderately paced race.
• #10 KING KONTIE (4-1) is likely competing for minor placings, having previously shown an ability to handle these conditions. He shouldn't have trouble with the distance.
• #3 TOUPIE (5-1) is also contending for underneath positions, expected to be part of the early pace. She has the benefit of the Motion-Ruiz combination.
• #7 SEBASTIAN RUN (8-1) is another horse competing for a share, having previously shown an ability to handle these conditions.

Selections: 5 – 10 – 3 – 7

Colonial Downs- 9

Post: 5:45 PM ET; $250k Virginia Oaks, 1 1/8 miles on turf; Entries: 8

• #7 MISSION OF JOY (8-5) looks strong here, having proven her ability to handle these conditions in previous starts.
• #8 ALPHA BELLA (2-1) is likely to be competitive, expected to be in the first flight of runners and in contention late.
• #6 THIRTY THOU KELVIN (12-1) is a price horse and a fringe contender, supported by her speed figures. She typically runs evenly and should find a fair pace scenario.
• #4 IDEA GENERATION (7-2) is not without hope and should be respected with the Brown-Prat combination.

Selections: 7 – 8 – 6 – 4

Colonial Downs- 10

Post: 6:20 PM ET; $500k New Kent County Virginia Derby, 1 1/8 miles on turf; Entries: 11

• #11 PROGRAM TRADING (7-2) gets the top selection, with races strong enough to beat this group. He typically runs evenly and should find a fair pace scenario.
• #10 ARI GOLD (8-1) is likely to be competitive, racing for the Pletcher barn and with Ortiz in the irons. He's been solid in recent starts and appears ready for a strong performance.
• #6 MONDEGO (5-1) should also be competitive, expected to be in the first flight of runners and in contention late.
• #7 ACTIVIST INVESTING (10-1) is a price horse that could be in the mix, given his previous performances and ability to handle these conditions.

Selections: 11 – 10 – 6 – 7

Colonial Downs- 11

Post: 6:55 PM ET; $150k Colonial Cup S., 1 1/2 miles on turf; Entries: 11

• #6 TEMPLE (2-1) is the top pick and could be a threat to get loose on the front end.
• #7 DYNADRIVE (30-1) is a price horse and a major player in this race, deserving respect with the Maker-Karamanos combination. He's expected to sit mid-pack and make a late push.
• #9 STRONG TIDE (6-1) should be competitive, likely in the first flight of runners and with a chance late. He shouldn't have trouble with the distance.
• #4 MCLOVIN (15-1) is a price horse that should be competitive and not likely to have trouble with the distance.

Selections: 6 – 7 – 9 – 4

Betting News Horse Racing Coverage

Betting News provides in depth analysis of the week's biggest races. This week's lineup includes Saturday and Sunday cards.

Saturday

• Festival of Champions from Canterbury Park
• Grade 3 Turf New Kent County Virginia Derby from Colonial Downs
• Grade 1 Del Mar Debutante from Del Mar
• 5 Graded stakes races from Kentucky Downs including 2 Breeders' Cup Win and You're In races.

Sunday

• Grade 1 Del Mar Futurity and Grade 3 Del Mar Juvenile Turf from Del Mar

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