Fort Washington accelerated to an impressive win in the $250,000 Dinner Party Stakes (G3T) May 17 at Pimlico Race Course, crossing the finish line ahead by one length to giving trainer Shug McGaughey his sixth win in the historic race.
The 6-year-old son of War Front was much closer to the pace than usual under Junior Alvarado, as the leaders set strolling fractions of :26.07, :50.82, 1:15.76, and 1:41.64 before Fort Washington made his move at the top of the stretch to cross the finish line in 1:54.20 for the 1 1/8-mile race.
Cash Equity was second, and longshot Desvio was third.
"He was in the bridle," Alvarado said. "He has never been in the bridle like that before. What was going through my head in the first turn was he's probably liking it, the soft (turf), that's what I was hoping, and he definitely answered that question.
"When he was passing horses, I still had him under a good hold. I knew (no one) from behind was going to pass him (Fort Washington). I thought I was loaded."
Owned by Magic Cap Stables, Fort Washington was coming off a narrow win in the Canadian Turf Stakes (G3T) March 1 at Gulfstream Park. Prior to that, he had been winless in six starts. He has hit the board in 17 of his 26 starts, with his win today bringing his career earnings to $724,922.
"He's a horse that's not easy to ride," Alvarado said. "You need to kind of understand him a little bit; when he wants to do things, don't fight him. Whatever his plan is, I just go with him, and let him do his thing."
"We had this (race) circled pretty much right after the race in Florida (Canadian Turf)," said Anthony Hamilton, McGaughey's assistant. "We've been pointing to this. He had a good campaign last year, and we're excited to be here. And it all worked out very nice."
McGaughey won his first Dinner Party Stakes in 1993 with Hall of Famer Lure. He also won with Parading (2009), Ironicus (2015), Fire Away (2018), and Never Explain (2023).
Fort Washington was bred in Kentucky by Joseph Allen and White Birch Farm. He is the first foal out of the group-placed mare Azaelia, another McGaughey trainee. His sire War Front stands the 2025 season at Claiborne Farm for $75,000.
Favored Trikari flattened in the stretch, finishing only ahead of Neat, who was eased through the final furlong.
When asked if Alvarado thought the horse could go longer, he responded: "He's a big, nice horse, distance shouldn't be a problem for him."
