As the 2023 thoroughbred racing season winds down, graded stakes races for 3 year olds against their peers (other 3 year olds) are winding down across the country as well. The opportunity to run against peers versus facing older horses is certainly preferable. On Saturday at Aqueduct Racetrack, the New York Racing Association (NYRA) ran the Grade 2 Hill Prince Stakes which was the final, turf graded stakes for 3 year old colts in New York in 2023.
Ten entrants lined up for the one and an eighth mile, $250,000 Hill Prince with our (West Point Thoroughbreds and Woodford Racing) Integration established as the even money morning line favorite. Integration entered the race with a perfect 2 for 2 record, most recently setting a new track record while winning the Grade 3, $500,000 Virginia Derby.
As the starting gate opened, Integration broke perfectly and quickly established position running along the rail. With the field progressing down the backstretch, jockey Kendrick Carmouche continued to save ground and rode Integration like he was sitting on the best horse. As the field reached the top of the stretch, Carmouche swung Integration to the middle of the turf course and quickly took the lead. As Integration began to accelerate, it was simply a question of how many lengths he would win by. The winning margin was five widening lengths and the final time tied an Aqueduct turf course record established in 1985!
With a perfect 3 for 3 record including two graded stakes wins and earnings of almost $500,000, Integration will enter 2024 as one of the leaders in the older turf male division.
Thoroughbred Daily News Article on Integration
Thoroughbred Daily News Article on Integration Race