Betting With, and Against, Integration in the Arlington Million

The $1 million Arlington Million S. (G1) is the headliner of a huge day of racing at Colonial Downs on Saturday. A strong cast of eight will vie in the 1 1/4-mile headliner, with #8 Integration (8-5) the deserving morning-line choice in the contest. 

Integration – With

• $2 superfecta 8 with 1,6 with 1,5,6 with all ($40)

Integration – Against

• $1 superfecta 6 with 1,5,8 with 1,5,8 with all ($30)
• $1 superfecta 1,6 with 1,6,8 with 1,5,6,8 with 1,5,6,8 ($8)

Trained by Shug McGaughey, the five-year-old has been a high-level performer since his sophomore season and finished second behind a fine one in the race in 2024. Integration is still looking to break through at this level as he comes in with four runner-up results in the Grade 1 ranks over his last seven appearances, and he seems perfectly placed to get over the hump on Saturday. 

The son of Quality Road draws clear on the outside, he lands in a field with plenty of pace to aid his late kick, and the favorite also sports a 4-3-1-0 local line, as well. He was flattered when the horses he split in the Manhattan S. (G1) last time both came back to win, and the Kentucky-bred will be formidable with John Velazquez in the stirrups. 

McGaughey’s #6 Fort Washington (4-1) is a viable option for those opposed to the favorite. The multiple graded winner has arguably never been better and gives the impression of a horse who will thrive at 10 furlongs, too. The six-year-old son of War Front will be seen rallying into a healthy early tempo with Junior Alvarado taking the reins. 

The 2024 Kentucky Derby (G1) star #1 Mystik Dan (9-2) will make his grassy debut in this spot from the rail for Kenny McPeek. The Goldencents four-year-old reportedly moved well over the turf in a recent morning move in the Empire State, and the colt could win the race on class alone. He brings excellent form to the race and comes off a major showing in the Stephen Foster S. (G1) in a loaded cast last time out. Brian Hernandez, Jr. keeps the mount. 

I have mixed feelings about Euro import #5 Cairo (7-2), but acknowledge that he is worth including for Alice Haynes. The Quality Road five-year-old has kept excellent company in his lifetime and comes off a massive third in the Queen Anne S. (G1) at Royal Ascot in his latest appearance. The Irish-bred doesn’t win often, but it seems wise to include him in the exotics with Ben Curtis taking the reins.