Pick Pony Mini Tip Sheet for Colonial Downs – Racing News and Analysis for July 9, 2026


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Colonial Downs — Thursday, July 9, 2026

Partly cloudy, low-to-mid 90s with afternoon storm risk; turf good to firm, main track fast. Inside posts advantageous in turf routes; slight speed bias on dirt.

Race 1 — 1100f | Turf | Maiden | Md 16000

Gotta Be Da Shoes (9) is the top choice in a wide-open maiden sprint with three co-favorites at 4-1. Cuddler (3) and Forty Seven Smoker (7) are the other co-favorites and merit exacta coverage alongside Runtown (5) at 6-1 as the most interesting secondary price.

Race 2 — 1430f | Dirt | Allowance | Alw 72000n2l

Best bet of the card. Our Two Girls (6) at 1-1 is a clear single in all horizontal wagers in a thin six-horse field. Raspberry (3) at 2-1 is the logical exacta underneath, with Ms Sophistication (1) at 4-1 benefiting from the inside post on a mile-and-a-quarter dirt route.

Race 3 — 1210f | Turf | Maiden | Md 16000

Potcake (13) at 2-1 is the top choice despite the wide draw, with Fortune Hill (5) co-favored at 2-1 from the ideal post 5. Kuhner (8) and Jewell's Indenial (14) at 4-1 and 5-1 represent a live two-pronged stable angle worth including in trifectas.

Race 4 — 1760f | Dirt | Claiming | Clm 10000

Be Better (3) at 2-1 is the straightforward single in this $10,000 claiming mile. Cut The Cord (5) and Bigtonten (2) at 4-1 each are the logical exacta fillers, with Forrest City (8) at 8-1 worth a small look as a pace beneficiary.

Race 5 — 1870f | Turf | Claiming | Clm 30000n2l

Christmas Jones (3) at 3-1 is the top selection in this turf mile-and-an-eighth, with Pegster (1) at 4-1 drawing the ideal rail position as a strong alternate. Fresh Out (2) at 6-1 is the best value play given the barn connection, and Why (7) at 4-1 rounds out the core exotic coverage.

Race 6 — 1210f | Turf | Claiming | Clm 16000n2l

Dale's Bluff (14) at 3-1 is the morning-line choice despite the widest post in a 14-horse field. Miss Mo Town (2) at 4-1 from post 2 is the value alternative and capable of wiring the field if she controls the pace. In Timing (10) at 5-1 and Pretty Shy (6) at 4-1 are the recommended exotics fillers, with Contra (3) at 8-1 worth a small inclusion.

Race 7 — 1760f | Turf | Allowance | Alw 90000n1x

Gramp's Legacy (1) at 3-1 tops the field in the day's richest race, with Jolly By Golly (2) at 4-1 and Empire Of Glory (8) at 4-1 as the core exacta alternatives. Fear Of Union (4) at 8-1 is the best outright value play on the entire card and deserves inclusion in all exotic structures.

Race 8 — 1210f | Turf | Allowance | Alw 72000n1x

In Her Glory (5) at 4-1 is the top selection over the 2-1 morning-line favorite Grade A (4), with the dominant meet trainer angle providing genuine confidence at the price. Baby Blocks (13) at 5-1 and Royally Blue (1) at 8-1 round out the exotic coverage, and Wassail (11) at 15-1 is the best longshot price play given the barn's turf record. Shameless Bride (9) at 10-1 is worth a small play on the Franklin return story.

Before wagering, check the Latest Race Scratches, Changes, and Conditions post for any last-minute scratches or race changes.


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