Fort Washington Rallies to Capture Grade 3 Dinner Party Stakes at Pimlico

Fort Washington, a six-year-old son of War Front, showcased a powerful late surge to win the $250,000 Grade 3 Dinner Party Stakes at Pimlico Race Course.

Ridden by Junior Alvarado, the Shug McGaughey trainee overcame a slow early pace to secure his second consecutive graded stakes victory.

The historic Dinner Party Stakes, run at one and one-eighth miles on the turf, saw a field of ten older horses.

The early fractions were notably slow, with Neat and Abrumar dueling for the lead through an opening quarter-mile in :26.07 and a half-mile in :50.82. This unhurried pace kept the field relatively bunched.

Fort Washington, who typically races as a deep closer, found himself closer to the pace than usual due to the soft fractions.

Jockey Junior Alvarado noted the horse’s uncharacteristic early engagement, stating, “I was happy with my horse. He was in the bridle. He has never been in the bridle like that before… When he turned for home, he has a beautiful, nice kick.”

As the field approached the far turn, several runners began to make their moves. Trikari briefly challenged for the lead before Fort Washington, positioned three-wide, unleashed a determined rally in the stretch.

Despite drifting out slightly in mid-stretch, Alvarado corrected him, and Fort Washington surged clear to win by a length under a hand ride. The final time for the race was 1:54.20 over a turf course rated as good.

Cash Equity (FR), trained by Saffie Joseph Jr., closed strongly from the back of the pack to finish second, one length behind the winner. The 48-1 longshot Desvio rallied for third, another length and a quarter back.

The victory marked Fort Washington’s sixth career win from 26 starts and boosted his lifetime earnings. It was his second graded stakes win of 2025, following a victory in the Grade 3 Canadian Turf at Gulfstream Park in March.

Owner Joseph Anzalone of Magic Cap Stables was thrilled with the performance, remarking, “He was really loaded. He’s never that close to the front… Today he showed everything. Very impressed.”

Other notable runners included the favorite Trikari, who tired in the stretch to finish ninth. Neat, one of the early pacesetters, steadied on the far turn, faltered, and was eased, walking off the track.

Scratched Horse(s): Fulmineo (Trainer), Irish Aces (Trainer), Signator (Trainer)

Fractional Times: 26.07, 50.82, 1:15.76, 1:41.64
Final Time: 1:54.20

Winning Connections

Winner: Fort Washington
Jockey: Junior Alvarado
Trainer: Claude McGaughey III
Owner: Magic Cap Stables
Breeder: Joseph Allen, LLC & White Birch Farm, Inc.
Bloodline: Fort Washington, Dark Bay or Brown Horse, by War Front out of Azaelia (FR), by Turtle Bowl (IRE). Foaled January 27, 2019 in Kentucky.
War Front stands at Claiborne Farm, in Paris, KY. ($75,000 Stands & Nurses)

Payouts

• $1.00 Exacta (10-7) Paid: $76.00
• $1.00 Trifecta (10-7-12) Paid: $2,768.10
• $1.00 Superfecta (10-7-12-1) Paid: $17,393.90

Race Replay