Last year, Colonial Downs in Virginia became the new home of the Grade 1 Arlington Million Stakes, one of the most prestigious turf races in North America. The 2024 edition is coming up on Aug. 10, and in anticipation, Colonial Downs is hosting the $125,000 Million Preview Stakes this Saturday, July 13.

Six horses have entered the 1 1/8-mile turf contest, and one of them – #4 Integration – could wind up as a popular choice in the Arlington Million four weeks from now. The 4-year-old son of Quality Road has shown flashes of serious talent and looks ready to post a convincing win in the Million Preview.

Integration (Eclipse Sportswire)

Integration has already shown an affinity for the Colonial Downs grass. He debuted in a 1 1/16-mile maiden special weight at Colonial last August, and after tracking the pace in third place he seized command to dominate by 6 ½ lengths. He followed up with a stretch-running score in the 1 1/8-mile, Grade 3 New Kent County Virginia Derby at Colonial, in which he defeated Grade 1 Saratoga Derby Invitational Stakes winner Program Trading by 1 ½ lengths. Program Trading has since added the Grade 1 Hollywood Derby and Grade 1 Old Forester Bourbon Turf Classic Stakes to his record.

Integration wrapped up 2023 with a powerful victory in the Grade 2 Hill Prince Stakes at Aqueduct, in which he defeated future Grade 1 1/ST BET Pegasus World Cup Turf Invitational Stakes runner-up I’m Very Busy by five lengths. Integration ran his final furlong that day in :10.85, the mark of a very good racehorse.

Unfortunately, nothing has gone Integration’s way in 2024. He didn’t get the clearest run in the Pegasus World Cup Turf and settled for fifth place by 1 ¾ lengths. Then in the Grade 1 Maker’s Mark Mile Stakes, he dropped too far behind a slow pace over a yielding turf course. Even still, he rallied to finish third, beaten 4 ½ lengths by 2023 Grade 1 FanDuel Breeders’ Cup Mile Presented by PDJF winner Master of The Seas.

Integration encountered another damp turf course and slow pace in the Old Forester Bourbon Turf Classic, where he closed ground belatedly to finish fourth by 2 ¼ lengths against Program Trading.

After three straight defeats at the Grade 1 level, Integration should appreciate dropping in class and returning to Colonial Downs for the Million Preview, especially if he encounters a firm turf course more conducive to the brilliant acceleration he’s shown on his best day. The only downside is that Integration is likely to start at low odds, making the payoff for a win bet unenticing.

Instead, we’ll play Integration on top of exacta and trifecta tickets. If we can correctly select the second- and third-place finishers, we’ll catch a stronger return on our investment.

The horse we’ll emphasize underneath Integration is #6 Siege of Boston. A five-year-old veteran of 17 starts, Siege of Boston has been competing respectably against graded stakes competition since last fall. He’s finished third in the Grade 3 River City Stakes, third in the Grade 3 Tampa Bay Stakes, second in the Grade 3 Canadian Turf Stakes, sixth in the Old Forester Bourbon Turf Classic (three lengths behind Intergation), and fourth by half a length in the Grade 3 Monmouth Stakes.

Tackling an ungraded stakes should suit Siege of Boston just fine, He’ll need improvement to beat Integration, but second place is absolutely within reach for this consistent late runner.

#1 Highland Chief is also worth a long look. He hasn’t been in great form this year, but racing over a soft turf course in the Grade 3 Dinner Party Stakes last time out probably didn’t suit him. Two years ago, Highland Chief won the Grade 1 Man o’ War Stakes racing 1 3/8 miles and the Grade 3 Sycamore Stakes over 1 ½ miles, so we know he has the talent to compete at a high level. The 1 1/8-mile distance of the Million Preview might be a little short for Highland Chief, but dropping in class can help him record a top-three finish.

#2 Nineeleventurbo shouldn’t be underestimated either. You can forgive his sixth-place finish in the Grade 3 Daytona Stakes to start 2024 – the 6 ½-furlong distance was too short for him. He finished second in the 1 3/8-mile, Grade 2 Del Mar Handicap Presented by Japan Racing Association last summer and boasts two wins and two seconds from five starts over 1 1/8 miles, so he’s eligible to improve while stretching back out in distance for his second start of 2024.

Wagering Strategy on a $10 Budget

$10 exacta: 4 with 6

What to say at the betting window: Colonial Downs, 8th race, $10 exacta 4 with 6

Wagering Strategy on a $30 Budget

$15 exacta: 4 with 6

What to say at the betting window: Colonial Downs, 8th race, $15 exacta 4 with 6

$5 trifecta: 4 with 6 with 1,2 ($10)

What to say at the betting window: Colonial Downs, 8th race, $5 trifecta 4 with 6 with 1,2

$5 trifecta: 4 with 2 with 6

What to say at the betting window: Colonial Downs, 8th race, $5 trifecta 4 with 2 with 6

Good luck, and enjoy the race!