Integration Seeks Redemption in Pegasus World Cup Turf

West Point Thoroughbreds, Woodford Racing, Pine Racing Stables, William Freeman, Michael Valdes and John Ballantyne's Integration  will return to the $1 million Pegasus World Cup Turf Invitational Stakes (G1T) field for a second straight year after a disappointing fifth-place finish as the favorite in 2024.

The 5-year-old son of Quality Road   out of Harmonize  (Scat Daddy) enters the 1 1/8-mile race at Gulfstream Park Jan. 25 as the 3-1 second choice from post position 5 under Frankie Dettori.

Godolphin homebred Nations Pride , a graded winner in the United States, Canada, Europe and the Middle East, was set as the 2-1 morning-line favorite in post 7. Two-time champion British jockey William Buick will be aboard.

Integration ran second to the Charlie Appleby-trained Nations Pride by 1 3/4 lengths in the 1 1/4-mile Arlington Million Stakes (G1T) at Colonial Downs Aug. 11.

Video: Arlington Million S. (G1T)

"I thought he ran a good race at Arlington," trainer Shug McGaughey said of Integration. "With a little luck, maybe we would have been a little closer. I think we can probably turn the tables on him."

West Point Thoroughbreds' Terry Finley said that doing so won't be easy.

"Nations Pride, he's been across the world. They're always very tough to beat and tough to handle," Finley said Jan. 19 following the post-position draw. "I just hope everybody gets a good trip and a clean trip, and the best horse wins."

In last year's Pegasus World Cup Turf, Larkin Armstrong-bred Integration angled outward through the stretch and never threatened as Westerberg, Mrs. John Magnier, Derrick Smith and Michael Tabor's filly Warm Heart  won by a half-length ahead of I'm Very Busy .

"Obviously, it was a letdown last year, but we had a tough trip," Finley said. "The Coolmore filly ran a great race. She's a broodmare now, so I love the fact we don't have to beat her on Saturday."

McGaughey, West Point and Woodford also will start Battle of Normandy , a 5-year-old son of City of Light  , winner of the 2019 Pegasus World Cup Invitational Stakes (G1) on the dirt. The bay out of Adorable Miss  (Kitten's Joy) is 20-1 from post position 10.

"Somebody asked me right before the draw who do you think will be lower odds, Integration or Battle of Normandy," Finley said. "I said I thought Integration, but not by much. I didn't expect Battle of Normandy to be 20-1 but I feel fairly certain he won't be 20-1 on race day."

Battle of Normandy, with rider Jose Ortiz, heads to the Pegasus on a four-race winning streak that includes the Nov. 9 River City Stakes (G3T) at Churchill Downs. He has been training with Integration at Payson Park Training Center near Indiantown, Fla.

"I think they're fresh and I think both of them can run big races," McGaughey said.

The remaining Pegasus World Cup Turf field includes last-out graded stakes winners Formidable Man  and Major Dude . Formidable Man is riding a three-race win streak, capped by a victory in the Hollywood Derby (G1T) Nov. 30 for trainer Michael McCarthy. Major Dude won the Ft. Lauderdale Stakes (G2T) last out over the same course and distance for trainer Todd Pletcher. Pletcher has won the Pegasus World Cup Turf twice, capturing back-to-back editions in 2021-22 with Colonel Liam  .