Brought to you by AmWager
Fort Washington runs them all down including stablemate Integration. (Kurtis Coady/Coady Media)
Mystik Dan finishes fourth in heartily contested race
Past The Wire Staff
Magic Cap Stables’s Fort Washington delivered a thrilling victory in the Grade 1 Arlington Million at Colonial Downs, storming home from last under a perfectly timed ride by Junior Alvarado.
After a bump at the start with Cairo, Alvarado kept his mount relaxed sitting well off the pace early as Time Song set an opening quarter of 23.49 and held ground for most of the trip.
Fort Washington was eased out nearing the quarter pole swinging six wide into the stretch bumping again with Cairo.
The top four were separated by three heads and a neck coming down the stretch until Fort Washington unleashed a powerful rally after moving up to third to reel in Grand Sonata (second) and Integration (third) scoring by a half-length in 1:59.58 for the 1¼ miles on firm turf.
With a game effort, Kentucky Derby champion Mystik Dan flattened out for fourth with Cairo fading to fifth. Time Song and Runaway Storm complete the order of finish. Vesting (IRE) was scratched.
Conditioned by Shug McGaughey, Fort Washington rewarded his faithful with $13.40 (6.00, 3.00) with Grand Sonata paying $10.60 (3.60) and McGaughey’s more favored starter, Integration, paying $2.10.
The son of War Front was bred by Joseph Allen, LLC & White Birch Farm, Inc., in Kentucky out of French mare Azaelia (Turtle Bowl {IRE}).
Fort Washington was purchased at the 2023 Fasig-Tipton Horses of Racing Age sale for $260,000.
With a hefty 28 career starts, the 6-year-old gelding now has seven wins (three this year) with three second and eight third place finishes. Adding his $607,600 share of the million-dollar purse, Fort Washington has surpassed the millionaire mark with $1,352,182 in earnings.
"I could hear you screaming from a mile away…."
— FanDuel Racing (@FanDuel_Racing) August 9, 2025
Winning owner Joseph Anzalone of @MagicCapStables chats with @andie_Biancone after taking the Arlington Million with FORT WASHINGTON. pic.twitter.com/p9a016M2Uq
The win marked Fort Washington’s first Grade 1 and continued a remarkable run for Alvarado, who has been on a tear in the sport’s biggest races. This was Alvarado’s 10th graded stakes win of 2025 and his fourth at the Grade 1 level, further establishing him as one of the most reliable big-money riders in the country. The jockey’s patient, confident style has proven invaluable in top company, and Saturday’s performance was another masterclass in timing and poise on the biggest stage.
#TMGRAD FORT WASHINGTON at the wire in the Grade 1 Arlington Million @ColonialDowns! He is our th Grade 1 winner sold by #TaylorMadeSales! Congratulations to all of the connections!
— Taylor Made Farm (@TaylorMadeSales) August 9, 2025
O: @MagicCapStables
B: Joseph Allen, LLC & White Birch Farm, Inc. pic.twitter.com/riEnxCKUcm
