Horse Race Preview: Race 8 – Van Clief Stakes at Colonial Downs

Top Contenders

Nobals (Post 4)

Trainer: Larry Rivelli

Jockey: Jareth Loveberry

Odds: 3/1

Rating: 112

Notes: Multiple stakes winner with elite turf sprint credentials. Finished 2nd in Karl Boyes Stakes.

Coppola (Post 12)

Trainer: Dale Romans

Jockey: Vincent Cheminaud

Odds: 9/2

Rating: 107

Notes: Won the William Garrett Handicap last out. Tactical speed and proven class.

Nothing Better (Post 11)

Trainer: Jorge Duarte Jr.

Jockey: Luis Saez

Odds: 8/1

Rating: 109

Notes: Veteran turf sprinter, runner-up in Wolf Hill Stakes. Dangerous with right trip.

Full Field Breakdown

Post	Horse	Trainer	Jockey	Odds	Rating	Notes
1	Witty	Elizabeth Merryman	Jaime Rodriguez	6/1	103	Stakes-placed, consistent form
2	Petcoff	Brittany Russell	Ben Curtis	20/1	102	Outsider, needs pace collapse
3	Had to Have Him	John Salzman Jr.	Tyler Gaffalione	10/1	103	3rd in Ben’s Cat Stakes, improving
4	Nobals	Larry Rivelli	Jareth Loveberry	3/1	112	Class edge, top turf sprinter
5	Isivunguvungu	Graham Motion	John Velazquez	8/1	112	South African import, stakes tested
6	Step Forward	Mark Casse	Mychel Sanchez	6/1	105	2nd in Saratoga allowance
7	Mister Mmmmm	Joe Sharp	Axel Concepcion	20/1	103	3rd in Grand Prairie Turf Sprint
8	Going Up	Ron Potts	Ronald Allen Jr.	20/1	102	5th in Karl Boyes Stakes
9	Bear River	Keith Desormeaux	James Graham	30/1	104	3rd in William Garrett Handicap
10	Hedwig	Jesus Cruz	Weston Hamilton	50/1	88	Won BTP allowance, big class jump
11	Nothing Better	Jorge Duarte Jr.	Luis Saez	8/1	109	Veteran, consistent turf form
12	Coppola	Dale Romans	Vincent Cheminaud	9/2	107	Won last stakes, tactical speed
13	Horsepower	Joseph Orseno	Javier Castellano	15/1	101	Won Karl Boyes Stakes, rising form

Strategic Insights

Pace Scenario: Nobals and Isivunguvungu likely to contest the lead. Coppola and Nothing Better could benefit from a pressured pace.

Track Bias: Colonial Downs turf sprints often favor outside stalkers and closers.

Trainer Trends: Rivelli and Romans have strong turf sprint records with older horses.

Top Pick: Nobals
Value Play: Coppola
Longshot to Watch: Had to Have Him