Fort Washington’s the toast of Dinner Party

Saturday’s $250,000 Dinner Party (G3) invited several logical players to the table, but Magic Cap Stables’ Fort Washington was the only one who showed up with his characteristic effort at Pimlico. As the 7-2 favorite Trikari and Abrumar gave way, after Neat was pulled up, Fort Washington fired his best shot to prevail.

Sent off at 5-1, the Shug McGaughey veteran initially bided his time in the latter portion of the field. Jockey Junior Alvarado, sensing the lack of pace, let him take closer order down the backstretch, and Fort Washington was right in contention entering the far turn.

The Dinner Party picture was changing at that very instant. Neat, who had been sparring with Abrumar through slow fractions of :26.07 and :50.82 on the good turf, dropped out abruptly. Abrumar inherited the lead by the six-furlong mark in 1:15.76, but Trikari was already lapped alongside, and Fort Washington was on Trikari’s flank.

The stage appeared set for a terrific stretch duel until Trikari bowed out, and Abrumar likewise came up empty. Fort Washington maintained his strong momentum, and the son of War Front forged clear to complete 1 1/8 miles in 1:54.20. (Note that the times posted live in running – 27.10, :52.17, 1:17.14, and 1:55.08 – were incorrect because of obstructions, according to the chart, and adjusted accordingly.)

Cash Equity rallied on the inside for runner-up honors at 11-1, and the 48-1 Desvio flashed home in third. Divin Propos crossed the wire fourth, trailed by Crystal Quest, defending champion Balnikhov, Crabs N Beer, Abrumar, and Trikari. Neat did not finish the course but walked off. Fulmineo, Irish Aces, and Signator were scratched.

Fort Washington paid $12 while improving his resume to 26-6-3-8, $724,922. This marked his fourth stakes victory, following the 2022 Tale of the Cat S., a dead-heat in the 2024 Monmouth (G3), and a photo-finish verdict in the March 1 Canadian Turf (G3) in his latest at Gulfstream Park. His eight stakes placings include a neck loss in last December’s Ft. Lauderdale (G2).

Bred and initially campaigned by Joseph Allen and Peter Brant, Fort Washington was cast off for $260,000 at Fasig-Tipton Kentucky’s Horses of Racing Age Sale in 2023. The six-year-old has matured into a much stronger competitor. 

Fort Washington is out of the French Group 3-placed Azaelia, a Turtle Bowl mare descending from all-time great Allez France.