Final yr, Colonial Downs in Virginia grew to become the brand new dwelling of the Grade 1 Arlington Million Stakes, probably the most prestigious turf races in North America. The 2024 version is arising on Aug. 10, and in anticipation, Colonial Downs is internet hosting the $125,000 Million Preview Stakes this Saturday, July 13.
Six horses have entered the 1 1/8-mile turf contest, and one among them – #4 Integration – might wind up as a well-liked selection within the Arlington Million 4 weeks from now. The 4-year-old son of High quality Highway has proven flashes of great expertise and appears able to submit a convincing win within the Million Preview.
Integration has already proven an affinity for the Colonial Downs grass. He debuted in a 1 1/16-mile maiden particular weight at Colonial final August, and after monitoring the tempo in third place he seized command to dominate by 6 ½ lengths. He adopted up with a stretch-running rating within the 1 1/8-mile, Grade 3 New Kent County Virginia Derby at Colonial, by which he defeated Grade 1 Saratoga Derby Invitational Stakes winner Program Buying and selling by 1 ½ lengths. Program Buying and selling has since added the Grade 1 Hollywood Derby and Grade 1 Outdated Forester Bourbon Turf Basic Stakes to his report.
Integration wrapped up 2023 with a robust victory within the Grade 2 Hill Prince Stakes at Aqueduct, by which he defeated future Grade 1 1/ST BET Pegasus World Cup Turf Invitational Stakes runner-up I’m Very Busy by 5 lengths. Integration ran his remaining furlong that day in :10.85, the mark of an excellent racehorse.
Sadly, nothing has gone Integration’s manner in 2024. He didn’t get the clearest run within the Pegasus World Cup Turf and settled for fifth place by 1 ¾ lengths. Then within the Grade 1 Maker’s Mark Mile Stakes, he dropped too far behind a sluggish tempo over a yielding turf course. Even nonetheless, he rallied to complete third, overwhelmed 4 ½ lengths by 2023 Grade 1 FanDuel Breeders’ Cup Mile Introduced by PDJF winner Grasp of The Seas.
Integration encountered one other damp turf course and sluggish tempo within the Outdated Forester Bourbon Turf Basic, the place he closed floor belatedly to complete fourth by 2 ¼ lengths in opposition to Program Buying and selling.
After three straight defeats on the Grade 1 stage, Integration ought to recognize dropping at school and returning to Colonial Downs for the Million Preview, particularly if he encounters a agency turf course extra conducive to the good acceleration he’s proven on his finest day. The one draw back is that Integration is prone to begin at low odds, making the payoff for a win guess unenticing.
As a substitute, we’ll play Integration on high of exacta and trifecta tickets. If we will accurately choose the second- and third-place finishers, we’ll catch a stronger return on our funding.
The horse we’ll emphasize beneath Integration is #6 Siege of Boston. A five-year-old veteran of 17 begins, Siege of Boston has been competing respectably in opposition to graded stakes competitors since final fall. He’s completed third within the Grade 3 River Metropolis Stakes, third within the Grade 3 Tampa Bay Stakes, second within the Grade 3 Canadian Turf Stakes, sixth within the Outdated Forester Bourbon Turf Basic (three lengths behind Intergation), and fourth by half a size within the Grade 3 Monmouth Stakes.
Tackling an ungraded stakes ought to swimsuit Siege of Boston simply positive, He’ll want enchancment to beat Integration, however second place is completely inside attain for this constant late runner.
#1 Highland Chief can be price a protracted look. He hasn’t been in nice type this yr, however racing over a mushy turf course within the Grade 3 Dinner Celebration Stakes final day out most likely didn’t swimsuit him. Two years in the past, Highland Chief received the Grade 1 Man o’ Struggle Stakes racing 1 3/8 miles and the Grade 3 Sycamore Stakes over 1 ½ miles, so we all know he has the expertise to compete at a excessive stage. The 1 1/8-mile distance of the Million Preview is perhaps a bit brief for Highland Chief, however dropping at school may help him report a top-three end.
#2 Nineeleventurbo shouldn’t be underestimated both. You may forgive his sixth-place end within the Grade 3 Daytona Stakes to begin 2024 – the 6 ½-furlong distance was too brief for him. He completed second within the 1 3/8-mile, Grade 2 Del Mar Handicap Introduced by Japan Racing Affiliation final summer time and boasts two wins and two seconds from 5 begins over 1 1/8 miles, so he’s eligible to enhance whereas stretching again out in distance for his second begin of 2024.
Wagering Technique on a $10 Finances
$10 exacta: 4 with 6
What to say on the betting window: Colonial Downs, eighth race, $10 exacta 4 with 6
Wagering Technique on a $30 Finances
$15 exacta: 4 with 6
What to say on the betting window: Colonial Downs, eighth race, $15 exacta 4 with 6
$5 trifecta: 4 with 6 with 1,2 ($10)
What to say on the betting window: Colonial Downs, eighth race, $5 trifecta 4 with 6 with 1,2
$5 trifecta: 4 with 2 with 6
What to say on the betting window: Colonial Downs, eighth race, $5 trifecta 4 with 2 with 6
Good luck, and benefit from the race!
