Saturday’s $250,000 Dinner Party Stakes (G3) at Laurel Park stands as one of the oldest stakes races in the United States. Inaugurated in 1870 at Pimlico Race Course during its first season, the race was named after an 1868 Saratoga dinner party hosted by Maryland Governor Oden Bowie, an event pivotal to Pimlico’s establishment. The inaugural winner, Preakness, later inspired the name of the Preakness Stakes (G1). Historically known for decades as the Dixie Stakes or Dixie Handicap, the race has been won by an impressive roster of champions and Hall of Famers, including Preakness (1870), Tom Ochiltree (1875), Duke of Magenta (1878), Sarazen (1925-26), Whirlaway (1942), Assault (1947), Armed (1946), Fort Marcy (1970), Bowl Game (1978), Sky Classic (1992), and Paradise Creek (1994). Downgraded to Grade 3 status in 2023, the race relocates to Laurel Park this year due to the ongoing rebuilding of Pimlico, with provisions to switch to the main track at the same distance if the turf is unsuitable.
The seven-horse field is headed by Dresden Row (7-5), a 5-year-old Lord Nelson horse with three graded stakes victories. He returns from a five-month layoff following a sharp 2 ¾-length allowance win at Keeneland last month. This marked his first start for trainer Todd Pletcher and only his second in the U.S. after being sold for $500,000 through Fasig-Tipton’s digital sale in January. Pletcher commented on the acquisition: “He had a very successful career up in Canada, and we were fortunate enough to pick him up after he was sold in the digital sale. He has been a very straightforward horse and likes to train. He trained well up to his comeback, and I thought he handled that nicely at Keeneland, so we thought we would take a look at this.” Dresden Row has demonstrated versatility and class, frequently stalking or pressing the pace before delivering a strong finish. His recent form suggests he is prepared to perform well on a trip and surface that suit him, making him the one to beat if he can replicate that effort. Flavien Prat will be in the saddle.
Cruise the Nile (9-5), a lightly raced 4-year-old gelding, holds an unbeaten record in four starts since transitioning to synthetic and turf. He most recently won the $100,000 Henry S. Clark Stakes at Laurel in mid-April, closing from off the pace over a mile on firm turf with a strong 100 Equibase speed figure. A proven closer/stalker adept at distances around a mile to 1 1/16 miles on turf, his progressive figures and preference for the local course give him a significant chance in his graded-stakes debut, especially if the pace is honest. Jorge Ruiz rides for H. Graham Motion.
Defending champion Fort Washington (7-2) captured last year’s running at Pimlico. This 7-year-old War Front gelding is a multiple graded winner, previously having won the Arlington Million (G1) at Colonial Downs with a thrilling rally from last to first, and the Canadian Turf (G3) in February. The Shug McGaughey trainee exhibits high-class turf form at 1 1/8 miles and beyond, typically racing mid-pack or from off the pace before unleashing a powerful late kick, with peak figures in the 130s. McGaughey remarked, “He’s a very nice horse. He’s won some races, and he won one big race, and hopefully we’ll be on the road to some others.” Despite recent efforts that include a fourth in the Canadian Turf (G3) and sixth in the Pegasus World Cup Turf (G1), his proven stakes quality at this exact distance and surface makes him dangerous if he returns to top form. McGaughey offered insight into his preparation: “He ran down at Kentucky Downs, and he didn’t run very well, so I just decided to pull the plug on him and gave him some time. I ended up giving him more time than I originally thought, but he was just turned out and playing. Then we brought him back, and with the Pegasus in mind. He ran a good race in the Pegasus. He just had an outside post that hurt him. He wasn’t beaten far.” Junior Alvarado has the call.
A Bourbon for Toby (12-1), a 4-year-old Bernardini colt, steps up from allowance/optional claiming company. He is expected to be a forwardly placed or mid-pack runner with some tactical speed, but he will need a career-best effort to contend with the graded stakes experience of the top trio. Tom Morley has named Irad Ortiz, Jr. to ride.
Saffie Joseph, Jr. will send out Harrow (12-1), an 8-year-old Lea gelding. This veteran brings considerable experience and has demonstrated consistency in lower-level turf routes at Laurel and elsewhere, typically stalking the pace. However, he lacks recent big-money wins against this class and would likely require the top contenders to underperform. Tyler Gaffalione will carry the saddle.
What Say Thee (15-1) is an 8-year-old battle-hardened veteran who has competed in numerous turf allowances and stakes over the years, often racing mid-pack or closing. His best recent efforts have come against lesser company, and the jump to graded stakes here appears ambitious despite drawing the rail.
Thundering (15-1), a 4-year-old Maryland-bred gelding, is the most lightly accomplished in the field. While competitive in local non-graded turf events, typically employing a stalk-and-pounce style, he will need everything to go his way and a sharp peak performance to upset the favorites in this spot.
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