Fort Washington Helping Anzalone Reach Ownership Goals

When Fort Washington's patented late stretch run carried him first across the finish line in the Aug. 9 Arlington Million (G1T) at Colonial Downs, the 6-year-old knocked off one of Joe Anzalone's goals as an owner—win a grade 1. The pharmaceutical business partner of racing magnate Bob Edwards, Anzalone paved his own path in horse ownership and breeding 10 years ago despite the success of his colleague. After focusing primarily on fillies for the majority of his time in racing, Anzalone's greatest horse came in the form of a colt, a plucky son of War Front he purchased as a 4-year-old at Fasig-Tipton's Kentucky July Sale two years ago. Anzalone spoke with BloodHorse about Fort Washington's stellar 2025 campaign (which includes graded wins in the Arlington Million, Dinner Party Stakes-G3T, and Canadian Turf Stakes-G3T), his venture into horse breeding, as well as the second item on his list of goals to achieve as an owner. BloodHorse: When you purchased Fort Washington a few years ago at Fasig-Tipton, did you ever imagine he'd become a grade 1 winner? What did winning the Arlington Million mean to you as an owner? Joe Anzalone: No, not until recently, since (jockey) Junior (Alvarado) has been riding him these past four, five months now. The big question to Junior always was can he go further? Can he go to a grade 1? And Junior has always really liked him. And when he's on him, he kind of lets him do his thing; he gets along with him better than any other jockey. Other people used to fight with him. We've had many rides where I thought we had a really good chance, but I don't know, they just found a way to lose. Junior lets him settle, gets him in great position. We saw in the Million he saved all the ground, and down the stretch, he just had a ton of horse. It was amazing. This was a big milestone for me. And I haven't won many graded races in the ten years I've been doing this. I've been to a lot but never won. I've been to the Breeders' Cup. But with Fort Washington here, slowly but surely, we've been able to get into the graded winner's circle, and he kind of put me on the map. He's done great for my stable and afforded me some luxuries I didn't have before. BH: What was your confidence like going into the Arlington Million? JA: I was most worried about (Shug McGaughey-trained stablemate) Integration (in the Million) because you know, they work together every week. I was watching the XBTV video of the work before the race and thought they looked great together. And I thought he had a great chance to win if he got the trip—but that's always the case with him, if he can get the trip, since he's always usually coming from the back of the pack. He's won three of his last four races, and he still gets no respect. But hey, that's fine. I want people to ignore him. BH: You mentioned you started in the business 10 years ago. Why did you decide to get into racehorse ownership? JA: I own a drug company, e5 Pharma. My partner is Bob Edwards of e5 Racing, and our drug business is my main job. We're partners in there, but we're not partners in horses. We don't partner together because he says that I'm a jinx. And then another old partner from our former company was Steve Weston, who owns Parkland Thoroughbreds. He's been on a roll with his stable, too. The three of us were always into the horses; we just never (got) into the buying stuff until we sold our company the first time. And then after that, all three of us started delving into buying horses. It's been a process. I had one really good horse my first year, Jamyson 'n Ginger, and went to the Breeders' Cup with her. I thought, 'this is easy' and then she didn't win and nothing but disappointment came after that. I bought a bunch of yearlings and got some nice mares. And just kept trying and trying. I never bought colts before a couple years ago. This one (Fort Washington) just kind of fell in my lap, and I took advantage of the opportunity. BH: Fort Washington was 4 years old when you bought him at the 2023 Fasig-Tipton Kentucky July Horses of Racing Sale. What appealed to you about him? JA: I'm good friends with Anthony Hamilton (McCaughey's longtime assistant). I was told that one of the other owners (Peter Brant) wanted to buy out, so we put him through the ring, and I was able to buy the other half. He still kind of disappointed us on the track for the next year or so—he would look good and then he wouldn't, he would look good, then he wouldn't. The other owner (Joseph Allen) eventually wanted to get out, and then I bought him out, and the next race was the Monmouth Stakes in June 2024. He won that grade 3 and has been a different horse since. BH: Now that Fort Washington has handled the 1 1/4 miles in the Arlington Million, what would you think about taking on 1 1/2 miles—possibly in the Breeders' Cup Turf? JA: I watched his gallop in the Arlington Million, and I don't think he'd have a problem with more distance. But Shug wasn't ready to say yet what he wanted to do. I'll see him at Saratoga (this weekend) myself and see if I can pry something out of him. Maybe Kentucky Downs (the Sept. 6 Kentucky Turf Cup Invitational-G2T) is next; there's the Win and You're In race there. I'll see if Shug thinks we can get 1 1/2 miles. He fits there, and he's made enough money this year to certainly be considered. BH: In addition to owning racehorses, you're also an active breeder. What made you want to get into the breeding side of the industry? JA: The fillies that didn't work out on the track became my first set of mares. And then I bought some more. I think in total have 12-13 mares that I either own outright or own a piece of. It's a lot of work, but I really like it; it gives me something to do when I'm not at the office. I keep most of my mares in Kentucky at Indian Creek Farm. And they sell my yearlings, too. Sarah (Sutherland) over there does a great job. BH: Do you typically sell or race your homebreds? JA: I usually sell the nice ones, especially the colts. I do have a couple going to the Keeneland September Sale, and I have some new babies on the ground, so there's a lot going on with the breeding side of things. I haven't had a winner from my homebreds yet. Close. I told Anthony (Hamilton) a few weeks ago I had two goals: I wanted to have a grade 1 winner, and then I wanted to breed a grade 1 winner. He said, 'Come on, one thing at a time. We got you a couple of graded stakes already.' Sure enough, I got the grade 1 soon after that. So we'll see what happens with the breeding side. BH: Since you are involved in the breeding side of things and Fort Washington is still an intact horse, would you be looking to breed to him once he's retired from racing? JA: Maybe. We'll see. Turf horses aren't glamorous in the breeding shed in the States. Anything is possible, but he'll probably have to win another grade 1. But right now he's as good as he can be. He's sound, he's happy. So I don't know what to expect for the (next) six months. We'll see where it goes.