Colonial Downs presents another exciting Friday card on August 22, 2025, as part of their summer meet running through September 13. Friday racing typically features a 4:00 PM post time, offering afternoon entertainment on Virginia’s premier racing surface. The track operates Wednesday through Saturday during the summer meet, with Colonial Downs boasting one of the largest dirt tracks in the country and the widest turf course in North America.
Today’s card features a mix of claiming races, maiden claiming events, and allowance competitions, providing opportunities across various claiming levels and conditions. The meet has been producing competitive racing with strong jockey and trainer colonies established through the first half of the season.
Weather Forecast and Track Surface Conditions
Weather conditions for August 22, 2025, show partly cloudy skies typical for late August in Virginia. Recent track conditions from August 21 showed cloudy skies with temperatures around 73 degrees and a firm turf course. Track maintenance at Colonial Downs has consistently provided safe racing surfaces on both the dirt and turf throughout the meet.
The Secretariat Turf Course, recognized as North America’s widest grass racing surface, has been maintaining good to firm conditions throughout August. The dirt track, being the country’s second largest oval, offers horses ample room to find their preferred running positions.
Race-by-Race Analysis and Picks
Race 1 – Claiming
This claiming event features Missy Boss with Weston Hamilton aboard, Good Bright Flames under Ben Curtis, and Blessed Candy ridden by Paco Lopez. The field presents an interesting mix of form and connections.
Analysis: Ben Curtis leads the jockey standings with 26 wins and a strong 24.53% strike rate, making Good Bright Flames an interesting play despite the competitive nature of this claiming level.
Race 2 Analysis – Starter Allowance
Race Overview
This starter allowance event features seven runners competing over seven furlongs on the dirt track for a $55,000 purse, with the winner earning $34,650. The starter allowance condition typically attracts horses that have previously started for a claiming price, creating competitive fields with varied form cycles.
Field Analysis
Bebedouro emerges as the 5/2 morning line favorite and represents strong connections with Ben Curtis aboard for trainer M.A. Tomlinson. Despite finishing fifth of eight in his last start at Colonial Downs in July, the horse showed early speed before yielding late. The Curtis-Tomlinson combination has been effective throughout the meet, and this gelding may benefit from the slight cutback in distance.
Joe The Jet brings the most recent winning form to this contest, having captured a seven-furlong event at Laurel Park in June by over three lengths. The victory came on good ground, and the horse showed strong late kick ability. The time off since June could be either a positive or negative factor, depending on his training regimen.
Chado finished a solid second at this track and distance in July, losing by just over four lengths to Blue Kingdom. That effort demonstrated his ability to handle the Colonial Downs surface and the seven-furlong trip. His closing kick in that race suggests he could benefit from a honest early pace.
King Covee ran third in a competitive allowance race at Colonial Downs in July, finishing within two lengths of the winner Gas Alley. He showed good tactical speed in that race and appears well-suited to this level. His local track experience provides an advantage.
Devil’s Cay disappointed as the favorite in his last start at Philadelphia Park, finishing last of seven after setting early fractions. The poor effort raises questions about his current condition, though he may bounce back in this starter allowance company.
Remi’s Moon shipped in from Saratoga where he finished fifth of seven in July. The class drop from Saratoga competition could help, but his recent form lacks the consistency needed for confidence.
Tuff Luck finished fourth of five at Colonial Downs in July over a longer distance. The cutback to seven furlongs may help, but his recent performances suggest he needs significant improvement to contend.
Pace Analysis
The race appears to lack significant early speed, which could set up well for closers like Chado and Joe The Jet. Bebedouro and Devil’s Cay showed early speed in recent races, potentially setting up a moderate pace scenario that favors horses with tactical speed.
Selection
Joe The Jet represents the best combination of recent winning form and proven ability at the distance. His convincing victory at Laurel Park demonstrated the kind of finishing kick that can be effective in starter allowance company. At 6/1 morning line odds, he offers value against the favored Bebedouro.
The exacta combination of Joe The Jet over Bebedouro and Chado provides solid coverage, while a trifecta adding King Covee captures the most logical finishing order based on recent form and connections.
Race 4 – Claiming
The field includes Upsidedown Man with Daniel Centeno, Gowokegobroke under Antonio Gallardo, and No Angel ridden by Gavin Ashton. Gowokegobroke enters as the 2-1 favorite based on a recent Colonial Downs victory in July.
Analysis: Gowokegobroke showed good form winning at Colonial Downs in July, digging in to win clearly. The recent track experience provides an advantage in this competitive claiming event.
Race 5 – Maiden Claiming
This maiden claiming race features Ojin with Ismerio Villalobos, Wiley Willard under Jevian Toledo, and Salty Lime ridden by Johan Rosado. The maiden claiming level often produces surprising results.
Analysis: First-time starters and lightly raced horses make this race challenging to analyze without more detailed form information.
Race 6 Analysis – Allowance Optional Claiming
Race Overview
This allowance optional claiming event features seven runners competing over one mile on the dirt track for a $74,000 purse, with the winner earning $46,620. The optional claiming condition allows horses to run for a tag or straight allowance, creating a competitive field with varied class levels and recent form.
Field Analysis
Distant Winter emerges as the morning line favorite at 2/1 odds and brings strong credentials from her recent victory at Delaware Park in June, where she won by a neck in competitive company. The daughter of What A Winter has shown consistent form and appears well-suited to make her Colonial Downs debut a successful one. Her proven ability at the one-mile distance and quality connections make her the horse to beat.
Allamericanbeauty represents the powerful combination of trainer Claude McGaughey III and jockey Paco Lopez, both of whom have excelled throughout the Colonial Downs meet. Listed at 5/2 morning line odds, this daughter of Munnings has shown versatility in her recent starts and the McGaughey-Lopez partnership has been particularly effective in allowance company. Her tactical speed should allow her to secure a good position early.
Paint Me Perfect at 4/1 odds brings intriguing form to this contest as a daughter of Into Mischief trained by established connections. Her recent efforts suggest she’s capable of competing at this level, and the one-mile distance appears well within her scope. The optional claiming nature of the race provides flexibility in placement.
Aspen Dawn rounds out the major contenders at 9/2 morning line odds. This daughter of Quality Road has shown flashes of ability in recent starts and represents solid value at her projected odds. Her breeding suggests the one-mile trip should suit her well.
Nanabush at 5/1 odds adds depth to the field with consistent recent form. While facing a slight class test in this spot, her recent performances indicate she belongs at this level.
Spotty Showers and The Amazing Mizzen complete the field at longer odds (15/1 and 20/1 respectively) but will need significant improvement to factor in this competitive allowance contest.
Pace Analysis
The race lacks significant early speed, which should set up a moderate pace scenario that favors horses with tactical speed and finishing ability. Distant Winter and Allamericanbeauty both possess the speed to secure favorable positions early, while Paint Me Perfect and Aspen Dawn may benefit from a setup that allows them to make late moves.
Selection
Allamericanbeauty represents the strongest combination of current form, proven connections, and tactical advantage in this field. The McGaughey-Lopez partnership has been dominant at Colonial Downs throughout the meet, and this daughter of Munnings appears perfectly placed in this allowance optional claiming spot. Her 5/2 morning line odds offer reasonable value given her chances.
The exacta play centers around Allamericanbeauty over Distant Winter, with Paint Me Perfect and Aspen Dawn providing solid backup options for the trifecta. The pace setup should favor the more tactical horses in this competitive allowance field.
Race 7 Analysis – Allowance
Race Overview
This Virginia-restricted allowance turf sprint features nine runners competing over 5 furlongs 110 yards on the Secretariat Turf Course for a $90,000 purse, with the winner earning $56,700. The midnight post time caps off Friday’s card with a competitive field of state-bred and state-sired runners battling in allowance company.
Field Analysis
Divine Works emerges as a strong contender at 9/2 morning line odds, representing the powerful combination of trainer Michael Trombetta and jockey Paco Lopez. Trombetta leads all trainers at the meet with exceptional statistics, while Lopez has been equally dominant in the jockey standings. This partnership has proven highly effective throughout the Colonial Downs meet, making Divine Works a logical focal point despite the competitive nature of this allowance field.
The Virginia restriction adds an interesting dynamic to this turf sprint, as it limits the field to horses with Virginia connections while maintaining allowance-level competition. Turf sprints at Colonial Downs have consistently produced competitive finishes throughout the meet, with the wide Secretariat Turf Course allowing multiple racing tactics to succeed.
Trainer Gerald Delacour saddles two solid chances in this field, providing multiple angles for handicappers to consider. Delacour’s dual representation suggests confidence in the race setup and gives him tactical advantages with two runners able to complement each other’s running styles.
Pace Analysis
The 5 furlongs 110 yards distance on turf typically produces genuine speed duels early, with the wide Colonial Downs turf course allowing horses to spread across the track and find racing room. The Virginia restriction may create a more tactical pace scenario than an open allowance, as the limited pool of eligible runners could produce less predictable early fractions.
Turf sprints at Colonial Downs have favored horses with tactical speed who can secure good position early while maintaining enough stamina for the final furlong. The firm turf conditions throughout August have consistently produced fair racing surfaces that reward both speed and stamina.
Selection
Divine Works represents the strongest combination of current form, proven connections, and tactical advantages in this competitive allowance field. The Trombetta-Lopez partnership has dominated Colonial Downs throughout the meet, and their success rate in allowance company makes Divine Works the logical choice despite the 9/2 morning line odds.
The Virginia restriction creates value opportunities for handicappers familiar with local form cycles and trainer patterns. Delacour’s dual entry suggests he views this as a winnable spot, making his runners worthy of consideration in exacta and trifecta combinations.
The wide turf course should accommodate multiple tactical approaches, but horses with proven ability to handle the Colonial Downs surface hold significant advantages. Divine Works fits this profile while offering reasonable value at projected odds in what appears to be a competitive but not overwhelming allowance field.
Race 8 Analysis – Claiming
Race Overview
This claiming race caps off Friday’s card with eleven runners competing over one mile on the dirt track for a $43,125 purse, with the winner earning $27,169. The midnight post time concludes the evening’s action with a competitive claiming field featuring horses at various stages of their form cycles.
Field Analysis
Thick As Thieves and Sweet Tone share favoritism at 7/2 morning line odds, indicating a competitive and evenly-matched field where multiple horses possess legitimate winning chances. The co-favoritism suggests handicappers view this as an open race without a standout contender.
Motion Granted emerges as an intriguing play at 9/2 odds with trainer P. Schoenthal and jockey Jevian Toledo aboard. Toledo has shown strong form throughout the Colonial Downs meet, and this combination represents solid value at the projected odds. The horse appears well-positioned to capitalize on what should be a competitive pace scenario.
Rector brings recent Colonial Downs experience to this contest, having finished fourth of eleven and beaten 5½ lengths behind Lothario in a similar claiming race over this track and distance in August. That effort showed he traced the pace in second or third position wide before needing a late bid, suggesting he possesses tactical speed but may need the right setup to be most effective.
Gotta Have A Guy rounds out the shorter-priced horses at 6/1 odds and represents another viable contender in what appears to be a wide-open claiming event. His connections have been competitive throughout the meet.
Reggae Man and Lightning Boss both sit at 8/1 odds, offering potential value for handicappers seeking longer prices in a race lacking a dominant favorite.
The longer shots Singularity, Balance Of Power, and Roark all carry 30/1 morning line odds, while Funkle brings up the rear at 50/1, suggesting these runners face significant class or form questions.
Pace Analysis
The one-mile claiming level typically produces honest early fractions, with multiple horses capable of pressing the pace early. Thick As Thieves and Sweet Tone’s co-favoritism suggests both possess early speed, potentially setting up a moderate to quick early pace that could benefit closers and horses with tactical speed.
Rector’s recent effort suggests he prefers to be positioned close to the early pace, which could work well if the favorites engage each other through early fractions. Motion Granted’s connections suggest a horse capable of adapting to various pace scenarios.
Selection
Motion Granted represents the best combination of value, connections, and tactical flexibility in this competitive claiming field. At 9/2 morning line odds, he offers reasonable value against the co-favorites while possessing the tactical speed to secure a good position regardless of how the pace develops.
The Schoenthal-Toledo combination has been effective throughout the meet, and their success rate in similar claiming company makes Motion Granted a logical choice in what appears to be a genuinely competitive race where several horses possess legitimate winning chances.
The exacta play focuses on Motion Granted over the co-favorites Thick As Thieves and Sweet Tone, while including Rector and Gotta Have A Guy provides solid trifecta coverage in this wide-open claiming event that concludes Friday’s competitive card at Colonial Downs.
Jockey Notes and Insights
Ben Curtis continues to dominate the Colonial Downs jockey standings with 26 wins from 106 starts, maintaining an impressive 24.53% win rate and leading with 5.13 “added wins”. His consistency makes any mount worth serious consideration.
Paco Lopez remains Curtis’s closest pursuer with 20 wins from 82 mounts, also striking at 24% with 2.47 added wins. Lopez has shown excellent form throughout the meet and represents value on competitive horses.
Mychel Sanchez holds third place with 17 wins, though his added wins figure of -0.70 suggests he may be slightly overbet by the public. Axel Concepcion has shown recent momentum with strong recent performances.
Graham Watters deserves special mention for steeplechase racing, having won seven of eight starts with an eye-popping 87.50% win rate. When Watters rides over the jumps, attention must be paid.
Trainer Notes and Insights
Michael Trombetta leads all trainers with 19 wins from 77 starters, maintaining a 25% strike rate and an impressive 5.71 “added wins” figure. Any Trombetta runner deserves serious consideration regardless of the odds.
Brittany Russell sits second with 15 wins from 70 starts at a 21% clip. Her 2.33 added wins figure indicates consistent value in her runners throughout the meet.
John Fisher has made the most of limited opportunities with six wins from just 12 starters, producing a remarkable 3.56 added wins figure. Fisher’s runners have dominated earnings percentages, capturing 34% of available purse money.
Mark Casse, Jamie Ness, and Michael Stidham each have eight wins, with Stidham showing particular efficiency at a 30.77% strike rate.
Best Wagering Strategies and Value Plays
Focus on horses trained by the leading connections, particularly Michael Trombetta and John Fisher runners, as both have shown consistent ability to outperform betting odds.
Ben Curtis and Paco Lopez mounts deserve automatic consideration, especially in competitive claiming races where their experience and current form provide significant advantages.
Look for value in horses ridden by Axel Concepcion, who has shown recent improvement and momentum with strong recent performances. His 3.11 added wins figure suggests potential value opportunities.
In steeplechase events, Graham Watters runners command automatic respect given his dominant 87.50% win rate.
Consider multi-race wagers connecting the strongest trainer and jockey combinations, particularly Trombetta runners with Curtis or Lopez aboard when such combinations appear.
Summary of Previous Day’s Races
Colonial Downs held racing on August 21, 2025, featuring both flat racing and steeplechase competition. The steeplechase program included a $60,000 Maiden Hurdle over two miles and one quarter.
In the featured steeplechase race, Swore, ridden by S. Mulqueen and trained by Keri Brion for Stone Farm LLC, captured the victory and earned $36,000. Gratia Prince finished second under B. Dalton for trainer Barry Foley, earning $10,800, while Predominate took third with F. Procter aboard for trainer Todd McKenna, collecting $6,000.
Weather conditions on August 21 featured cloudy skies with temperatures around 73 degrees and firm turf conditions, providing safe racing surfaces for both flat and jump racing competition.
