WAR OF WILL FINALLY GETS IT RIGHT IN THE PREAKNESS

Last year’s Preakness Stakes, Gr.1 which was won by Justify in conditions dominated by fog and rain was just a memory as WAR OF WILL romped home in the 144th version of the race run in clear but overcast conditions. Neither Maximum Security nor Country House was nominated to the race so with no Triple Crown on the line the race was lacking an abundance of pre race hype and hoopla.
With a race that was wide open and with the underachieving Improbable going off as the 5-2 favorite, the longest price on the board in the thirteen horse field was 25-1. That horse Everfast finished second and Owendale finished third. In the Kentucky Derby, War of Will was one of the affected horses finishing seventh, so to some degree it was a day of redemption for the connections. Those connections are owner Gary Barber, trainer Mark Casse and jockey Tyler Gafflione.
It was the first ever Triple Crown win for both the trainer and the jockey. This time around instead of trying to hustle War of Will to the front like he did in the Derby, he stayed patient in the fifth spot behind a fast pace set by Warrior Charge. When he realized that a huge gap was available on the rail, he moved the eventual winner into that spot, and turning for home in the short stretch kept going and held on for an easy win.
There was as usual a dose of drama in the race as Bodexpress dumped his Rider John Velazquez at the start after acting like a bucking bronco. Both horse and jockey were unhurt and the outrider finally caught up with the horse past the winning post. Improbable ran sixth and badly needs a break from racing to stay fresh for an October/November campaign.