Exotics Plays for the Reigh Count Stakes at Colonial

A talented and well-matched cast of eight dashers will go seven-eighths on the Colonial Downs main oval in Saturday’s $100,000 Reigh Count S. Morning-line choice #7 Patriot Spirit (7-5) is the deserving choice in the group and will thrive on the return to a sprint distance on this occasion. The Constitution colt comes off a clear runner-up performance in the Knicks Go S. at Churchill Downs on May 3 and has trained well in advance of his return. 

Reigh Count Exotics

• $4 trifecta 7 with 1,5 with 1,5,6,8 ($24)
• 50-cent superfecta 1,5,7 with 1,5,7 with 1,5,6,7,8 with 1,5,6,7,8 ($18)

The four-year-old bay is two-for-two on the course and registered a healthy 104 Brisnet Speed number the last time he appeared in Virginia. Trained by Michael Campbell, the bay is a multiple stakes winner with a versatile running style and an affinity for the surface, so he is a must-use in the exotics with Mychel Sanchez in the stirrups. 

Jane Cibelli’s #1 Inveigled (5-1) owns a win and two seconds from four runs this season and could be especially tough with even slight improvement on this occasion. Enticed four-year-old ran some big races as a sophomore and is better this campaign, in my opinion. The gelded dark bay ran a winning race in defeat last time at Laurel Park in what appears to be a very good prep for this tilt, and he could upset the cast with his best beneath Ben Curtis. 

#5 Celtic Contender (6-1) was third to the fantastic Book'em Dano in his lone prior run on the oval and rates a better chance in his second local appearance. The Hamilton Smith charge is consistently quite good and has won or placed in every career run at seven panels in preparation for this heat. The Irish War Cry colt has speed to force the pace early, and I expect him to be the one to run down in the stretch at a fair number under Victor Carrasco. 

Stakes winners #6 Kavod (8-1) and #8 Worcester (7-2) have earned some respect, as well. I am not keen on either of the talented contenders in the top slot, but they will certainly be included in the gimmicks.