Integration rallies powerfully to win G2 Red Smith Stakes
RSS Feeds Tuesday, November 12, 2024
West Point Thoroughbreds and Woodford Racing’s Integration produced a powerful late rally to win Saturday’s $300,000 Red Smith S. (G2) at Aqueduct. The accomplished Eddie Woods training program graduate is now a winner in 5-of-10 lifetime starts and boasts career earnings of more than $1.1 million for trainer Shug McGaughey. Integration saved ground along the rail early in the 11-furlong turf fixture. With Rebel Red and Limited Liability dueling at the head of the lane, Integration traveled comfortably into contention. Hitting his best string in the stretch, Integration swept past both the leaders inside the final sixteenth en route to a two-length victory in a final time of 2:13.28. “It’s the end of the year and he’s been in training a good while,” McGaughey said. “He [Flavien Prat] said he was kind of grinding the first part and then the last part he showed him another gear and finish up. So, I was pleased with him.” Winner of last year’s Hill Prince S. (G2) and Virginia Derby (G3), Integration is by Quality Road out of the multiple graded stakes-winning Scat Daddy mare Harmonize, winner of the 2016 Del Mar Oaks (G1). McGaughey indicated that Integration could possibly target a start in the Pegasus World Cup Turf Invitational (G1) at Gulfstream Park in January. Bred in Kentucky by Larkin Armstrong, Integration was a $700,000 purchase at the 2021 Fasig-Tipton Saratoga Select Yearling Sale.
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