War of Will first Preakness horse at Pimlico
War of Will won the LeComte Stakes at the Fair Grounds. Hodges Photography.
Gary Barber’s War of Will, seventh in the Kentucky Derby (G1), arrived at Pimlico Race Course at 2:30 a.m. Tuesday morning to begin preparation for Saturday’s 144th Preakness Stakes (G1).
Winner of the Risen Star Stakes (G2) and LeComte Stakes (G3) over the winter at Fair Grounds, War of Will will likely be one of the favorites in Saturday’s $1.5 million Preakness.
“They looked like they shipped in really well,” said assistant trainer Kim Carroll. “They left yesterday afternoon [from Kentucky] and it was a pretty easy ship up. We’re excited to be here. The weather is actually quite good for shipping, nice and cool.”
War of Will, trained by Mark Casse, was accompanied by stablemates Flameaway, entered in Friday’s Pimlico Special (G3), and Gio Game, entered in Friday’s Allaire DuPont Distaff (G3).
Two others Preakness starters are expected to arrive Tuesday – Market King, third in the Rebel Stakes (G2), is expected late this afternoon and El Camino Real Derby winner Anothertwistafate this evening.
