LURED AWAY TRIES TURF, STRETCHES BACK OUT IN GRADE 3 $500,000 OLD DOMINION DERBY AT COLONIAL DOWNS

NEW KENT, Va. (SEPT. 4, 2025) — David Bernsen’s Lured Away will make his turf debut in Saturday’s Grade 3 $500,000 Old Dominion Derby at ColonialDowns. The Ken McPeek trainee exits a game third-place finish in the Petramalo Mile and stretches back out to 1 1/8 miles — a distance where he has found success.

“I’m excited to try him at that distance and on that surface,” McPeek said.

With $1.3 million in total purses across six turf stakes on the Old Dominion Derby Day program, Saturday’s card also features the $250,000 Old Dominion Oaks (Listed), $150,000 Colonial Cup, $150,000 Da Hoss, $125,000 Exacta Systems Rosie’s Stakes and $125,000 Kitten’s Joy.

Stabled at Colonial Downs throughout the meet, Lured Away showed his effectiveness at nine furlongs around one turn on dirt in a July 23 local allowance, closing from 10 lengths back to defeat four rivals. One start prior, he won a conditional starter allowance at Churchill Downs going a two-turn 1 1/16 miles. In both races, he delivered his strongest run in the stretch.

“Lured Away always runs well and gives you 1,000%,” McPeek said. “We expect him to give us everything he’s got in the Derby.”

Most recently but in similar off-the-pace fashion, Lured Away finished third in the Petramalo Mile behind Rolando and next-out stakes winner Barbadian Runner.

Jockey Emmanuel Esquivel, who guided the 3-year-old Enticed colt to victory earlier in the meet, returns in the irons. Lured Away, listed at 10-1 on the morning line, will leave from post 8.

Stablemate Native Runner drew the rail. The Laoban colt, owned by Calumet Farm, is cross-entered in Saturday’s Exacta Systems Gun Runner Stakes at Kentucky Downs after two disappointing stakes efforts. He has three career wins.

Pin Oak Stud’s World Beater, winner of the Grade 1 Saratoga Derby for trainer Riley Mott, is the 9-5 morning-line favorite.

The 1 1/8-mile Old Dominion Derby, scheduled as the nightcap on a 10-race card, drew a field of nine 3-year-olds. First post is noon ET.

The Old Dominion 6 covers all six turf stakes on Saturday’s Old Dominion Derby Day program at Colonial Downs. The Grade 3 $500,000 Old Dominion Derby will be the final leg for the Old Dominion 6 (15% takeout), all-stakes Late Pick 5 (12% takeout), and all-stakes Late Pick 4.

The Old Dominion 6 begins in Race 5 with the $125,000 Kitten’s Joy, contested at 1 1/16 miles for 2-year-olds. Race 6 starts the Late Pick 5 with the 1 ½-mile $150,000 Colonial Cup for 3-year-olds and up. The 5 1/2-furlong $125,000 Exacta Systems Rosie’s Stakes for juveniles opens the Late Pick 4.

In total, Saturday’s card offers three Pick 5s (Races 1-5, 3-7 and 6-10), three Pick 4s (Races 2-5, 4-7 and 7-10), and rolling Pick 3s throughout the day.

Pick 4, 5, and 6 wagers at Colonial Downs carry a 50-cent minimum. The Pick 5 has a 12% takeout and the Old Dominion 6 has a 15% takeout.  Daily Double and Pick 3 wagers have a minimum bet of $1.

General admission for Old Dominion Derby Day is $5 and tickets can be purchased online at www.colonialdowns.com.

Racing fans who can’t make it to Colonial can wager at any of the Rosie’s Gaming Emporiums throughout the state, The Rose Gaming Resort in Dumfries or VA-Horseplay locations in Chesapeake and Henrico. Bettors also can wager on racing from ColonialDowns via www.TwinSpires.com, the official advance-deposit wagering service for Churchill Downs Incorporated and its family of racetracks. TwinSpires.com boasts an improved wagering experience and mobile app combining the latest technology with the ability to wager on virtually every quarter, harness and thoroughbred horse race from venues around the globe. TwinSpires.com also offers access to unmatched insight and analysis from horse racing experts, handicappers, insiders, educators and Bloodstock Research Information Services (Brisnet).