NICK'S PICKS, JUNE 19, CLN DAY 16

A GOOD STORY - I can’t wait to write the post Saturday night after the 6th running of the Colonial Turf Cup at Colonial Downs, a guaranteed great story regardless of its winner. There are two Kentucky Derby starters in the short but talented seven horse field, third place finisher Paddy O’Prado and Dean’s Kitten. The Kentucky Derby winning connections of owner Winstar Farms and trainer Todd Pletcher have proven graded turf stakes winner Doubles Partner. Workin for Hops, winner of two turf stakes this year will get bet on name alone. Also entered is Virginia-bred Two Notch Road and Vamos a Ver, already a winner at Colonial Downs this summer.

One of the more satisfying wins I ever saw take place at Colonial was after Showing Up won the 2006 Turf Cup. Less than a month after Barbaro’s tragic Preakness, owners Roy and Gretchen Jackson stood smiling in the Colonial winner's circle for at least one Saturday afternoon during the ordeal. They’re back with Kindergarden Kid. I don’t know if their entry will be on top of Nick’s Picks, but I’d be thrilled with the result, proving once again that there is more to this sport than just wagering on it.

RACE 1 - 8 DUEL IN THE SUN - Smith's "Duel" might settle down in his 2nd turf start, rank and checked in 1st start. 3 MCNAMARA , 4 NATIVE CHANT.

RACE 2 - 7 STUDLEY - Trombetta starts a 1st timer. Hubley's Va-bred was pulled off the turf here last summer. 1 IMPASSIONED, 2 MISTER DISH

RACE 3 - 3 RUBY PEAK - Jenkin's 4-year old Two Punch filly make her 1st turf start, bounces back. 2 TAKING A CHANCE, 4 LIMEHOUSE LIZ

RACE 4 - 9 ENNIS - "Early" won by 12 here last year. "Andy" by 9 this year. Ennis has won last 2. 5 ACTION ANDY, 1 EARLY STAR

RACE 5 - 14 PURPLISH -Welcome back 3x Virginia Derby winner Edgar Prado. Fugitive has big Beyers. 2 FUGITIVE ANGEL, 8 TOTOLOCHEE

RACE 6 - 1 IMPONENTE PURSE -Perhaps a warm up race for the incoming riders. Three jumpers here? 8 GUSTAVIAN, 4 ESPINOSA

RACE 7 - 4 KURBAT - "Max&Mitzi" 21 for 49 lifetime…nice, but watch for the classy Chilean. 2 ROCKIN' JOE, 9 DRIVINGMAXANDMITZI

RACE 8 - THE $50,000 BUCKLAND STAKES - 10 SUZZONA -Follow the jockey switches here but Ben's mare run solid on all turf, not just CNL's. 12 LADY RIZZI, 4 DANCE WITH CLASS

RACE 9 - THE $150,00 ALL ALONG Gr. IIIT - 4 TIZAQUEENA -Top three of last year's Virginia Oaks return but tall Tizaqueena solid. 8 CASABLANCA SMILE, 5 SHARED ACCOUNT

RACE 10 - The $500,000 COLONIAL TURF CUP Gr.IIT - 1 PADDY O'PRADO - Surface advantage to "Partner". Class advantage to "O'Prado". Quality field. 5 DOUBLES PARTNER, 3 KINDERGARDEN KID

RACE 11 - 8 HAWSER - Hawser ran a solid 2nd after breaking his maiden and returns "Special K". 4 HAM AND ERNIE, 3 POWDER MOUNTAIN

RACE 12 - 1 POLLARD'S VISION -"Pollard's" shortens from 1&1/4 where he had the lead. 10 ROAR OF THE SURGE, 9 TWO TICKS