$22K LATE PICK 5 CARRYOVER TOPS THURSDAY’S COLONIAL DOWNS PROGRAM

NEW KENT, Va. (Aug 12, 2026) — A $22,350 Late Pick 5 carryover headlines Thursday’s 11-race program at Colonial Downs. The all-turf sequence begins in Race 7 and features fields averaging 11 runners and a 12% takeout. The card also offers a $4,249 carryover in the Old Dominion 6 (Races 6-11), three jumps races to open the day, and two chances for jockey Sheldon Russell to move into sole possession of second place on the track’s all-time wins list. First post is 10:45 a.m. ET, with flat racing to begin with race 4 at approximately 12:30 p.m.

Outrunner Seeks Elusive Second Win in Thursday Feature

Ten older males are signed on for Thursday’s feature, led by 3-2 morning-line favorite Outrunner. Scheduled as Race 10, the first-level allowance will be contested at 1 mile on the inner turf course and serves as the middle leg of the $3 Late Pick 3 (15% takeout).

Colts Neck Stables’ Outrunner is no stranger to Colonial Downs. He finished third behind World Beater in the 2025 Old Dominion Derby and has hit the board in each of his three local starts.

Wide posts complicated Outrunner’s first two starts of his 4-year-old campaign, including a troubled trip on the Belmont Stakes undercard at Saratoga. He gets a more favorable draw Thursday, breaking from post 4 as he seeks his elusive second career victory.

Although he is a 3-year-old facing older horses, Morikawa could surprise the field while stretching out and switching to turf in his third start for trainer Mike Stidham. The Gun Runner colt is a half-brother to Grade 2 turf winners Are You Kidding Me and Kehoe Beach.

Also stretching out for the first time is If Ever, a 3-year-old trained by Shug McGaughey. The son of Not This Time was a $235,000 yearling purchase.

Steve Klesaris saddles likely pace player Shinigami, whose four career victories have come against lesser company on synthetic surfaces.

Brittany Russell sends out Drilling for Gold, a three-time winner who adds blinkers while searching for his fourth career victory.

Stidham’s Italy Tops Competitive Maiden Finale

Thursday’s finale brings together a deep group of fillies and mares 3 years old and up in maiden special weight company.

Susan Moore’s Italy, a half-sister to multiple Grade 2 winner Pretty N Cool, was installed as the 4-5 morning-line favorite. The Mike Stidham trainee drew the rail, with 10 rivals lined up to her outside.

Among the challengers are a pair from trainer Whit Beckman’s barn, Cheddar and Scarce, along with Veracious for trainer Cherie DeVaux. Horses representing Jamie Ness, Jorge Duarte, Jr., Saffie Joseph, Jr., and Jeremiah O’Dwyer add further depth to the field.

$3 Late Pick 3 Producing Four-Figure Average Return

The new $3 Late Pick 3 has produced sizable returns during its first Colonial Downs meet.

According to analysis provided by Horse Racing Nation, the wager had an average payout of $1,055 through Sunday, Aug. 9.

Introduced this meet, the wager covers the final three races of every card and carries a $3 minimum and a 15% takeout.

Sheldon Russell Can Move Into Sole Possession of Second

Sheldon Russell enters Thursday with a chance to stand alone as the second-winningest jockey in Colonial Downs history.

Russell’s victory aboard Petcoff in Sunday’s eighth race gave him 255 wins at the New Kent track, tying Mario Pino for second on the all-time list. Horacio Karamanos remains well clear at the top with 562 Colonial Downs victories.

Russell has two opportunities to break the tie Thursday, and both mounts come for his wife, trainer Brittany Russell. He is named aboard Especially in Race 6 and Drilling for Gold in Race 10.

Currently seventh in the meet standings, Russell has been winning at an impressive 22% clip, with 14 victories from 64 starts.

Regional-Bred Turf Stars Take Center Stage Saturday

Saturday’s Aug. 15 program at Colonial Downs will feature three consecutive turf added-money features for regional-bred runners, beginning with the $100,000 Meadow Stable Handicap in Race 7, followed by the $125,000 Find Stakes in Race 8 and $125,000 All Brandy Stakes in Race 9. Millionaire and 2025 Virginia-Bred Horse of the Year Gigante headlines the Find alongside Grade 2-placed Thundering, while Day to Day, unbeaten on the Colonial turf, tops the All Brandy. The Meadow Stable brings together defending champion Whenigettoheaven and two-time winner Determined Kingdom, who has won seven of 12 starts over the local turf. First post for Saturday’s 10-race card is 12:30 p.m.