Fort Washington wins for McGaughey in Arlington Million

Fort Washington saved his best for last, unleashing a powerful late kick and seizing the lead in the last jumps Saturday to win the Grade 1 Arlington Million at Colonial Downs.

Owned by Magic Cap Stables and trained by Shug McCaughey, Fort Washington outfinished Grand Sonata by a half-length. His stablemate Integration, the 3-5 favorite who was in the mix until the final stages, finished third. Ridden by jockey Júnior Alvarado, Fort Washington stopped the clock at 1:59.58 for the 1 1/4 miles over a firm turf course.

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Settling in the rear of the field of seven, Fort Washington waited patiently as Time Song led the way, speeding through sharp opening calls of 23.94 and 48.36 seconds. Mystik Dan and Runaway Storm rated in second and third until entering the second turn when Integration began advancing on their outside, and both had to quicken.

As Grand Sonata hugged the rail to rally, Fort Washington built his momentum widest of all down the stretch. Integration and Grand Sonata emerged in front with a furlong to go, but Fort Washington outkicked the duo home. Last year’s Kentucky Derby winner Mystik Dan stayed on for fourth in his turf debut.

“I wanted to make sure he got comfortable,” Alvarado said about Fort Washington. “He’s a tricky horse to ride sometimes. When he’s at his best, you know it right away. Today I felt that going into the first turn. I wanted to make sure I saved enough ground so that I had a big punch at the end. When I swung out in the clearing, he finished up very strong. My horse has a powerful turn of foot.”

Mystik Dan became only the second Kentucky Derby victor to race in the Million. Gato Del Sol, who won the 1982 Derby, finished third in the 1984 Million at Arlington Park, where the race was established in 1981.

“He was in a great spot turning for home. They just outpunched him,” jockey Brian Hernandez Jr. said about Mystik Dan. “Turning for home I had Integration right there, and I thought we could get it done. He quickened, but with grass horses like he ran against today, it’s a different turn of foot. He handled the grass fine, but he just didn’t travel in my hands like I’d like him to on the backside today.”

Sent off at 5-1, Fort Washington paid $13.40, $6.00 and $3.00. A newly minted millionaire, Fort Washington’s lifetime earnings total $1,352,182 from a career record of 28: 7-3-8 that includes four graded-stakes wins.

The 6-year-old horse by War Front was bred in Kentucky by Joseph Allen and White Birch Farm.