KENTUCKY DERBY PREPS IN NEW ORLEANS & SAN FRANCISCO

WAR OF WILL

Two new challengers emerged this weekend for the upcoming Kentucky Derby with the running of the Risen Star Stakes in New Orleans and the El Camino Real Stakes at Golden Gate in San Francisco. The $400,000 Risen Star which was run at the Fair Grounds was taken by the even money market choice WAR OF WILL who has now won all three of his dirt races since being switched off the turf. The son of War Front out of the Sadler’s Wells mare Vision of Clarity laid second for the bulk of the race and then quickly pounced a few furlongs out to win by 2¼ lengths from the game but outclassed Country House. The owner of the horse is Gary Barber and he has always been high on this classy colt and it will be interesting to see where he turns up next.

ANOTHERTWISTAFATE

This scribe was even more impressed with the winner of the $100,000 El Camino Real Stakes at a windy Golden Gate. That horse was a smart looking son of Scat Daddy called ANOTHERTWISTAFATE who romped home by seven lengths over ten other horses by going wire to wire in a fast time. What impressed me about this horse was his incredibly smooth action as he just bowled over the surface to win easily. Local trainer Blaine Wright has this horse, and aside from the prize money and valuable Kentucky Derby points, has also earned an automatic starting spot in the Preakness Stakes, the second leg of the Triple Crown. Bob Baffert sent a horse up to San Francisco called Kingly, who tried to hang with the winner but faded down the stretch. He will not be joining his more illustrious stablemates in Kentucky.