Expert Pick of the Week: 2025 Old Dominion Derby

Sep 04, 2025 John Mucciolo/TwinSpires.com

World Beater wins the Saratoga Derby at Saratoga. (Photo by Coglianese Photo / Credit to Susie Raisher)

Eight colts and one gelding will travel 1 1/8 miles (nine furlongs) over the turf course at Colonial Downs in Saturday’s $500,000 Old Dominion Derby (G3). This group of three-year-olds will compete in the closing event on a big day of racing at the New Kent, Va., venue, which is led by morning-line favorite World Beater.

World Beater, conditioned by trainer Riley Mott, is the son of an outstanding turf sire (father) in Oscar Performance. He has shown improvement in each of his eight lifetime runs dating back to September of 2024, with his most recent career best in a fine Saratoga Derby Invitational (G1) triumph.

World Beater is a Kentucky-bred chestnut that was purchased for just $105,000 at the 2023 Keeneland September auction. The colt upended an excellent group of horses in that Saratoga Derby effort and cultivates a major chance of success against this Old Dominion Derby field with something resembling his latest showing.

World Beater upsets in the G1 Saratoga Derby Invitational at 11/1 to give trainer @Riley_Mott his first G1 win! 🏆🤩@juniorandkellya picked up the mount. pic.twitter.com/vRNItDHuyz

— TwinSpires Racing 🏇 (@TwinSpires) August 2, 2025

Understanding World Beater’s running style will help explain his likely trip during the race. He prefers to be unhurried in the early stages, before picking up steam approaching the stretch, and then uncorking his robust closing kick in the latter stages of his races. The sophomore has posted three morning workouts to retain his peak level of fitness leading up to Saturday, and will have jockey Jaime Torres riding for the seventh time in his career.

Trainer Philip Antonacci will saddle Thirteen Colonies in the contest in hopes of giving his horse a first win at the graded stakes level. This son of Hit It a Bomb was a sparkling maiden winner (first career win) at Keeneland in Lexington, Ky., in April. In his latest appearance, the contender checked in second behind a nice runner at Saratoga on July 18.

Owned by Lindy Farms, Thirteen Colonies will need to improve to upset the field in this event, but his best run could find him in the top three finishers at a good price with jockey Axel Concepcion taking the reins. Thirteen Colonies was close to the early action in his last effort, and I expect him to always be within range of the leaders from the outset.

The speedy Iron Hand comes in from the Sunshine State for his first showing at Colonial Downs and figures to be on the lead from the start with jockey Edwin Gonzalez riding. A gray colored son of Valiant Minister had won four straight races before running home for a quality third in his first race on the grass last time out. His win threat will be dangerous with an improvement on Saturday as the one to catch from the opening bell.

Expert Pick

An exacta with #6 World Beater on top of both #5 Iron Hand and #7 Thirteen Colonies in the 2025 Old Dominion Derby is the Best Bet of the Week.

At the Window:

Cost-Efficient Bet:

Straight Exacta of 6 with 5, 7

Safer Bet:

Exacta Box 6, 5, 7