Study Guide: 2024 Million Preview Stakes
Jul 11, 2024
Integration wins the Virginia Derby at Colonial Downs (Photo by Coady Media)
In advance of next month's Arlington Million (G1), Colonial Downs is hosting a local prep race: the $125,000 Million Preview S.
Held over 1 1/8 miles on turf, the Million Preview has drawn a small but talented field. Let's meet the six entrants:
Highland Chief
Highland Chief (Photo by Coglianese Photography)
Start(s): 18
Wins: 4
Place: 2
Show: 2
Owner: Mrs. Fitriani Hay
Breeder: Mrs. Fitri Hay
Trainer: Graham Motion
Jockey: Trevor McCarthy
Top Speed Rating: (99) when winning the Sycamore (G3) at Keeneland.
Total Earnings: $745,229
Sire: Gleneagles
Dam: Pink Symphony
Color: Bay
Highland Chief has done his best work running considerably farther than 1 1/8 miles; in 2022, he won the 1 3/8-mile Man o' War (G1) and 1 1/2-mile Sycamore (G3). He hasn't been as sharp in two starts this year, but Highland Chief's is capable of finishing in the Million Preview top three even while negotiating a shorter distance than usual.
Nineeleventurbo
Nineeleventurbo wins at Keeneland (Photo by Coady Media)
Start(s): 21
Wins: 5
Place: 6
Show: 3
Owner: Stepaside Farm
Breeder: C. W. Swann and Wetherbee Holdings
Trainer: Neil Drysdale
Jockey: Hector Berrios
Top Speed Rating: (95) when finishing second in the Del Mar H. (G2) at Del Mar.
Total Earnings: $324,469
Sire: More Than Ready
Dam: Rosalie Road
Color: Dark bay/brown
Nineeleventurbo could only finish sixth last time out in the Daytona (G3) sprinting about 6 1/2 furlongs over Santa Anita's downhill turf course. But that was his first start of 2024, and all of his victories have come racing one mile to 1 1/2 miles. Nineeleventurbo was good enough to place second in the 1 3/8-mile Del Mar H. (G2) last year, so stretching out over 1 1/8 miles for the Million Preview should put him in the hunt for a top-three finish.
Forever Souper
Forever Souper (Photo by Coglianese Photography)
Start(s): 15
Wins: 6
Place: 1
Show: 4
Owner: Live Oak Plantation
Breeder: Live Oak Stud
Trainer: Michael Trombetta
Jockey: Mychel Sanchez
Top Speed Rating: (97) when winning the Turf Classic S. at Tampa Bay Downs.
Total Earnings: $292,255
Sire: American Pharoah
Dam: Mighty Souper
Color: Dark bay/brown
Forever Souper fared well against fellow Florida-breds during the first three months of 2024, winning the Sunshine Turf S. and Turf Classic S. with sharp finishing speed. But he subsequently finished third against open competition in the Henry S. Clark S. and Cliff Hanger S., so he may need improvement to challenge an even tougher field in the Million Preview.
Integration
Integration winning the Hill Prince (G2) at Aqueduct (Photo by Coglianese Photos/Chelsea Durand)
Start(s): 6
Wins: 3
Place: 0
Show: 1
Owner: West Point Thoroughbreds, Woodford Racing, Pine Racing Stables, William T. Freeman, Michael Valdes, and John A. Ballantyne
Breeder: Larkin Armstrong
Trainer: Shug McGaughey
Jockey: Kendrick Carmouche
Top Speed Rating: (101) when finishing fifth in the Pegasus World Cup Turf (G1) at Gulfstream Park.
Total Earnings: $606,800
Sire: Quality Road
Dam: Harmonize
Color: Bay
After recording top-five finishes under less-than-perfect circumstances in the Pegasus World Cup Turf (G1), Maker's Mark Mile (G1), and Old Forester Bourbon Turf Classic (G1), Integration looms as a formidable favorite while dropping in class for the Million Preview. He went 3-for-3 during 2023, winning his debut and the Virginia Derby (G3) at Colonial Downs before dominating Aqueduct's Hill Prince (G2), so an ungraded stakes should be ripe for conquest by this beautifully bred four-year-old colt.
Happyisashappydoes
Happyisashappydoes (Photo by Coglianese Photography / Credit to Lauren King)
Start(s): 12
Wins: 4
Place: 4
Show: 0
Owner: Linda Martinez
Breeder: Eddy R. Martinez and Linda Martinez
Trainer: Teresa Connelly
Jockey: Antonio Gallardo
Top Speed Rating: (95) when finishing second in the Turf Classic S. at Tampa Bay Downs.
Total Earnings: $142,200
Sire: First Dude
Dam: Nightfury
Color: Dark bay/brown
Happyisashappydoes has won two straight allowance optional claimers over the synthetic Tapeta track at Presque Isle Downs. But while his turf form is respectable, he's 0-for-4 over the surface and was beaten by Forever Souper in the Turf Classic S. at Tampa. He'll need improvement to turn the tables.
Siege of Boston
Start(s): 17
Wins: 3
Place: 5
Show: 5
Owner: Allen Stable
Breeder: Joseph Allen and White Birch Farm
Trainer: James Toner
Jockey: Jorge Ruiz
Top Speed Rating: (107) when finishing third in the KY Downs Preview Turf Cup S. at Ellis Park.
Total Earnings: $389,011
Sire: War Front
Dam: Peinture Rare
Color: Bay
Siege of Boston has recorded top-four finishes in four of his last five starts against graded stakes competition. On three of those occasions, he was beaten only half a length, including when fourth in the 1 1/8-mile Monmouth (G3) last time out. Conquering Integration won't be easy—he finished behind that rival when sixth in the Old Forester Bourbon Turf Classic two starts back—but Siege of Boston looks like a solid second choice while dropping into an ungraded stakes.
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