Expert Pick of the Week: 2024 Million Preview Stakes

Jul 11, 2024 John Mucciolo/TwinSpires.com

A compact, but talented, field of six will travel 1 1/8 miles on the Colonial Downs inner turf in Saturday’s $125,000 Million Preview S. Morning-line favorite Integration caught the eye on the course last season with a big maiden victory, and followed that score up with a stylish triumph in the subsequent Virginia Derby (G3). He is the Expert Pick of the Week.

Trained by Shug McGaughey, the $700,000 yearling purchase is winless from a trio of runs in 2024 after going unblemished as a sophomore, but he has faced Grade 1 company on each occasion and will appreciate the class relief while facing this cast. Quality Road colt has lacked his exquisite closing punch this campaign, but he ran into ‘good’ and ‘yielding’ surfaces in his last pair of endeavors, and firm going will aid his late punch today. Kendrick Carmouche will be in the silks and rallying the colt from off of the early tempo.

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1️⃣ Million Preview Stakes -- @ColonialDowns
2️⃣ Diana Stakes -- Saratoga
3️⃣ Sanford Stakes -- Saratoga

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Grade 1 winner Highland Chief has class, early presence, and a nice draw on the rail to endure a ground-saving trip at a nice price in the small group. The Graham Motion trainee has been at his best going longer and is surely using this as a prep run for the Million later in the meeting, but he intrigues in this event, nonetheless. By Gleneagles, the seven-year-old was forwardly placed in the Dinner Party (G3) at Pimlico at this distance in his latest effort when fourth, and I expect a nice move forward in this spot while he makes a third run off of the layoff.

He has trained well in advance of his local debut, with a bullet morning move two works back, and I feel that he has a bit of a tactical edge on a few of his foes in the field, as well. The Irish-bred bay will be well placed throughout under the guidance of Trevor McCarthy, and I envision him completing the exacta.

Expert Pick

An exacta with #4 Integration on top of #1 Highland Chief in the Million Preview Stakes is the Best Bet of the Week.