Pick 4 of the Week: Colonial Downs Saturday [Sept. 6]

Colonial Downs will host a total of six black-type races on Saturday. A quartet of the headliners will close out the excellent 10-race card, and that will be the focus for the Pick 4 of the Week. 

Race 7 Wager

• $1 Pick 4: 1,8 with 4,5,7,9 with 2,3,4,7,10 with 6 ($40)

Race 7 – Rosie’s S. 

Juveniles will dash 5 1/2 panels on the green to kick off the play. I'll put my faith in excellent two-year-old conditioner Wesley Ward to get me through to the second leg of the wager. Euro import #8 Rogue Legend (5-2) was 4-1 odds in the 23-horse Windsor Castle S. at Royal Ascot most recently and came home a very good third. He faces much easier in this spot and could be a popular single under Carmouche. 

I’ll also use the debuting #1 Gypsy Art (6-1) from the rail. The Munnings colt attracted a bid of $200,000 in the spring, and the youngster is working fast as of late. Victor Espinoza will guide the wildcard. 

Race 8 – Da Hoss S. 

A group of nine will vie in the 5 1/2-furlong dash on the sod, and the race looks top-heavy to me. Record setter #4 Doncho (9-2), multiple stakes victor #5 Witty (2-1), and Saratoga invader #9 Alogon (5-2) seem like the ones to beat, and I’ll also give a small chance to #7 Oceanic (10-1), who can really unleash a big late kick on his best day. 

Race 9 – Old Dominion Oaks

Sophomore ladies will go nine panels on the green in the third piece of the play. #10 Will Then (7-2) is my top play for trainer Jonathan Thomas. The War of Will homebred has come up short in a pair of graded efforts at Del Mar as of late, but she still possesses a big turn of foot and has to be on the ticket. 

I feel that numerous horses can win the race, and with a single in the finale, I can spread in the penultimate leg. Thomas’ #2 As Catch Can (10-1), Boiling Springs S. queen #3 Sigh No More (5-1), Graham Motion’s #4 Pretty Lavish (15-1), and Saratoga Oaks (G1) second #7 Evershed (2-1) will be included.  

Race 10 – Old Dominion Derby (G3)

The $500,000 finale will be contested at 1 1/8 miles over the grass for three-year-olds. #6 World Beater (9-5) is the sure one to beat for Riley Mott, and while singling a favorite to close out a multi-race wager is never my favorite move, this one just seems too logical. The Oscar Performance colt has improved his Brisnet Speed figure in each career run to date, and he showed his class with a well-earned score in the Saratoga Derby (G1) most recently. Jaime Torres has the call.