War of Will, trained by Canadian Racing Hall of Famer Mark Casse, won the 144th running of the Preakness Stakes at Pimlico Race Course.
Before a crowd of more than 131,000, with jockey Tyler Gaffalione in the irons, War of Will started in post position No. 1 and successfully navigated the rail, making his move in the final turn. Gaffalione took War of Will to the middle of the track and charged ahead of the pack to take the win for owner Gary Barber, in a field of 13 horses.
Everfast and Joel Rosario were second, with Owendale and Florent Geroux taking third.
While the colt’s trainer, 58-year-old Casse has more than 2,000 career wins to his credit, including all three legs of the Canadian Triple Crown, this marks his first American Triple Crown series victory.
The win was all the more fulfilling considering the debacle at the Kentucky Derby, in which War of Will was caught up in a messy, controversial finish for Maximum Security and Country House.
The Preakness was not to be without surprises either – as one contender ran the race without a rider. Thankfully, Bodexpress, who ejected jockey John Velazquez out of the gate and finished the race on his own, did not interfere with the other horses.
See the race below:
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