NICK'S PICKS, CLOSING DAY AT COLONIAL DOWNS

SOLID RACING IN SOGGY TURF FESTIVAL

Despite the soogy conditions of Friday night's Commonwealth Turf Festival, the racing remained solid with standout performances and stretch duels.  Who else but Virginian Larry Johnson led off the winners in the stakes program when A Lover's Question controlled the pace for a 3+ length win the Jamestowns as a solid favorite.  Jockey Julian Pimental scored a riding double when once again he controlled the pace with Heaven Knows What in the Oakley Stakes this time as a $17.80 winner.  Trainer Michael Trombetta conditioned both of Johnson's winners.   Embarr who is  bred, trained and owned by Susan Cooney added the Brookmeade as her 3rd win this year.  In similar fashion as last year's victory, the 4-year old filly closed after finding a lane in the stretch with Forest Boyce aboard.  After being seventh at the top of the lane Richard Monterrey circled the field to prevail by a length in the Bert Allen.  Monterry had 4 winners on the night.  The meet's leading rider, Sheldon Russell, delivered Dannhauser for trainer Kathleen O'Connell in the Van Clief to close out the festival.  Dannhauser started the meet with an optional claiming win closes the meet with an impressive win in a Virginia-bred stake.

QUOTE OF THE DAY

"Boot, saddle, to horse, and away!"
- Robert Browning, Poet

HORSES AROUND

Owned by Danny Limongelli and trained by Hugh McMahon, TOO CLEVER BY HALF went 3 for 3 during the Colonial Downs meet, tapped for Nick's Picks "Horse of the Meet."  HESAGOLDMINE, KING'S CORONATION and BOOK THE CROOK also collected 3 wins but had one setback along the way.   There were 28 repeat winners during the meet.