Fort McHenry, Chrome's half-sibling, goes unclaimed at Aqueduct

Fort McHenry, California Chrome's 3-year-old half-sibling who sold for $1.1 million as a yearling to Coolmore connections, wasn't claimed when started Sunday with a $50,000 tag at Aqueduct.

The son of Tapit ran in starter optional claiming company for the first time in five career starts. Sunday also marked his first race since being gelded.

Fort McHenry set the pace, posting fractions of :23.36 and :47.37 in a field of six 3-year-olds going a mile. But the even-money favorite ran out of gas in the stretch and faded to third.

Darmindra Dharamjit trainee Forever Wicked covered the mile in 1:42.29 for a win that paid $10, with My Sacred Place running second.

Todd Pletcher trains Fort McHenry, who broke his maiden last fall at Gulfstream Park West. Sunday's race marked the gelding’s first since Nov. 30, when he was ninth of 10 in Gulfstream Park’s Smooth Air Stakes.

Fort McHenry is out of Love the Chase, whose offspring include 2014 Kentucky Derby winner California Chrome, twice named Horse of the Year before retiring to stud.