Horse Race Preview: Race 11 – Grade I Arlington Million Stakes at Colonial Downs

Top Contenders

Integration (Post 8)

Trainer: Claude R. McGaughey III

Jockey: John Velazquez

Odds: 8/5 (Morning Line Favorite)

Form: 2nd in 2024 Arlington Million, 2nd in G1 Manhattan Stakes

Notes: Consistently competitive at the highest level. Seeking first Grade I win after multiple near-misses.

Cairo (IRE) (Post 5)

Trainer: Alice Haynes

Jockey: Ben Curtis

Odds: 7/2

Form: 3rd in G1 Queen Anne Stakes at Royal Ascot

Notes: International globetrotter with elite form. Making U.S. debut after racing in Dubai, Hong Kong, and England.

Mystik Dan (Post 1)

Trainer: Kenneth McPeek

Jockey: Brian Hernandez Jr.

Odds: 9/2

Form: Winner of 2024 Kentucky Derby

Notes: Making turf debut. Dirt credentials are elite, but surface switch is a question mark.

Full Field Breakdown

Post	Horse	Trainer	Jockey	Odds	Notes
1	Mystik Dan	Kenneth McPeek	Brian Hernandez Jr.	9/2	KY Derby winner, turf debut
2	Time Song	Jonathan Thomas	Luis Saez	30/1	Outsider, limited stakes experience
3	Vesting (IRE)	Michael Maker	Javier Castellano	12/1	Irish-bred, improving form
4	Runaway Storm	Ethan West	Alex Achard	20/1	Needs major step up
5	Cairo (IRE)	Alice Haynes	Ben Curtis	7/2	International class, U.S. debut
6	Fort Washington	Shug McGaughey	Junior Alvarado	4/1	Proven stayer, G3 winner
7	Grand Sonata	Todd Pletcher	Tyler Gaffalione	8/1	Multiple graded wins, tactical speed
8	Integration	Shug McGaughey	John Velazquez	8/5	Grade I runner-up, top turf rating

Strategic Insights

Pace Scenario: Grand Sonata and Runaway Storm may set the early fractions. Cairo and Integration are likely to stalk and pounce.

Track Bias: Colonial’s outer turf favors late closers with wide momentum.

Trainer Trends: McGaughey and Haynes bring elite turf credentials. McPeek’s entry is the wild card with surface switch.

Top Pick: Integration
Value Play: Cairo (IRE)
Longshot to Watch: Fort Washington