Junior Alvarado Pilots Fort Washington to Arlington Million Victory
Junior Alvarado’s remarkable 2025 campaign added another highlight Saturday as the Venezuelan jockey guided Fort Washington to victory in the GI Arlington Million at Colonial Downs.
The 5-1 shot Fort Washington, trained by Claude McGaughey III, outdueled stablemate and race favorite Integration in the prestigious turf contest. The victory marks the latest achievement in what has become a breakthrough season for both horse and rider.
Fort Washington, a 6-year-old son of War Front, has flourished since partnering with Alvarado earlier this year. After a fifth-place finish in the GI Pegasus World Cup Turf Invitational, the horse secured victories in the GIII Canadian Turf Stakes and the GIII Dinner Party Stakes at Pimlico before finishing fourth in the GII Wise Dan at Churchill Downs.
McGaughey’s decision to ship east for Colonial’s signature event paid dividends as Fort Washington delivered a perfectly timed stretch run.
Racing last in the seven-horse field for much of the contest, Fort Washington settled along the inside as longshot Time Song set the early pace with GI Kentucky Derby winner Mystik Dan — making his turf debut — in close pursuit through an opening half-mile in :48.36. Alvarado began making up ground along the Secretariat backstretch before fanning widest in the stretch to secure the half-length victory.
Grand Sonata rallied up the rail to claim second, with favored stablemate Integration settling for third. Mystik Dan finished fourth, another half-length back.
Owner Joseph Anzalone of Magic Cap Stables credited Alvarado for the horse’s transformation.
“He’s the man,” Anzalone said, pointing to his jockey across the winner’s circle. “Ever since he got on this horse, he’s done nothing wrong. He had a tough trip in the Wise Dan. And obviously [jockey] Kendrick [Carmouche] did a good job in the beginning with him. That’s how I got my first graded win [the 2024 GIII Monmouth Stakes]. But when [Junior] took over, it’s just been a whole other story. He’s tremendous.”
The victory gave Magic Cap Stables their first Grade I win since beginning operations in 2016.
“I can’t even say how I feel,” said Anzalone. “First Grade I win for me, it’s just been an outstanding adventure.”
The Boca Raton-based stable reached the Breeders’ Cup in their inaugural year with Jamyson ‘n Ginger finishing fifth in the GI Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies.
“I was only on fillies for the first five years,” Anzalone explained. “I have a nice breeding program. And now I’ve got a few colts, and this one just fell into my lap. I’m going to watch [the race] 100 times tonight. My wife yells at me because I watch the replays over and over.”
Fort Washington joined Magic Cap Stables just before his victory in the Monmouth Stakes and has hit his stride despite his advancing age.
“He’s six, but he only found himself at maybe five and a half,” Anzalone noted. “They’re talking about Kentucky Downs, but they might also give him a little bit of a break now that he’s won this. We were just going to skip this spot and go straight to the [National Thoroughbred League Tight Spot] Overnight but he was working so well, we didn’t have a choice!”
For Alvarado, the Arlington Million victory adds to a season that already includes wins in the GI Kentucky Derby, GI Belmont Stakes, and GI Saratoga Derby Invitational.
“It’s been one of those years,” Alvarado said. “As a kid, you always dream to have [a year like this] but it’s definitely very hard, a lot of work. This year has been that kind of year for me. I’ve been very blessed by God to be able to be in this spot.”
Of the stretch run, he added: “I knew he was going to give me the kick that he always does. This spot was perfect for him today. He’s the kind of horse that runs the way I like to ride.”
Fort Washington becomes the 27th Grade I winner for War Front. He is a son of French GSP Azaelia (Fr), who has produced two other winners including his full-sister Hay Stack. Her 2-year-old Munnings colt named Olivetti ran fourth at Saratoga in maiden special weight company on Aug. 7 for Peter Brant and Chad Brown. She produced a War Front filly last year and a filly by Triple Crown champion Justify this season before visiting both Annapolis and Raging Bull (Fr) for 2026.
Fort Washington takes the Million! pic.twitter.com/kBhrPlaNjS
— Stefanie Grimm (@SGrimmTDN)
Fort Washington takes the Million! pic.twitter.com/kBhrPlaNjS
— Stefanie Grimm (@SGrimmTDN) August 9, 2025
