United dug in gamely to win the $200,000 San Marcos S. (G2) by a half-length over Cleopatra's Strike, giving the Eddie Woods training grad his first graded stakes win in his first start of his 2020 campaign.

The son of Giant's Causeway placed in four graded stakes in 2019, including a gallant second by a neck to eventual Horse of the Year Bricks and Mortar in the Breeders' Cup Turf (G1). With the San Marcos win, he became racing's newest millionaire, with earnings of $1,013,549 for owner LNJ Foxwoods.

The 1 1/4-mile San Marcos came down to a fierce stretch battle between all six participants. Coming into the final furlong, there was less than two lengths separating the field, but United was going best of all between horses and finished the distance in a very swift 1:59.04 in the firm turf.

“I think I made a mistake last time (when second in the G2 Hollywood Turf Cup Dec.1),” said winning rider Flavien Prat. “I was trying to keep him covered up and it didn’t end up the way I wanted and I found myself too far back. Today we broke off and we were in the race (early). He just (kept running) to the wire.” 

According to LNJ's Alex Solis II, United is going to ship to Dubai for the Turf Cup (G1) in late March.

“A mile and a quarter is not really his thing. He’s probably better at a mile and a half. He’s just one pace, he stays. It’s great, it’s perfect prep for Dubai and we’ll go from here.”