'We Don't Have To Be In A Hurry': Shug McGaughey Weighs Options For Fort Washington
With his win in Saturday's $1-million Arlington Million (G1) at Colonial Downs, Fort Washington has plenty of options for Hall of Fame trainer Shug McGaughey and owner Magic Cap Stables.
The 6-year-old War Front dark bay had won multiple Grade 3s, but never a top-level event having only made one prior attempt. On Saturday, Fort Washington traveled in last-of-7 early under Junior Alvarado and tipped out wide to rally to a half-length victory over Grand Sonata, completing the 1 1/4 miles on firm turf in 1:59.58. Stablemate Integration was a 1 1/4-length third.
'He seems to have come out of it fine. He got back here [to Saratoga] early this morning, both of them did,' said McGaughey. 'I thought he ran a great race. I had been watching the races all day and it looked like it was speed-favoring and he was back, but Junior rode a great race. He saved ground and when it was time to tip him out, he was able to run the horse on the lead down.
'I thought Integration, maybe the turf was a little firm for him. I'll give him a little bit of a break and bring him back in the fall at Aqueduct or something,' McGaughey added.
McGaughey said Fort Washington, who improved to 3-for-5 on the year, has a variety of potential next races, including the $1.25-million Coolmore Turf Mile (G1) on October 4 at Keeneland and the Red Smith (G2) at Aqueduct Racetrack, which Integration won last year and is annually held in November.
'Keeneland should be an option, but you know they have the Red Smith at Aqueduct, so we'll have options,' said McGaughey. 'For now, we got done what we wanted to get done, we don't have to be in a hurry.'
Of trying to get to the Breeders' Cup in November at Del Mar, McGaughey said, 'That's a little ambitious, but we'll kind of see. I mean, it is a nice thought, but it might be a little ambitious.'
McGaughey confirmed Integration also exited in good order, but will get a break after a hard-knocking annual campaign that has featured four placings in five Grade 1 starts.
'Same thing, he came back here, but I think he needs a bit of a break. I haven't talked to [jockey] Johnny Velazquez yet, but he thought the turf was just a little firm for him,' McGaughey said.
This story was originally reported by Paulick Report on Aug 10, 2025, where it first appeared.
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