Breaking from post one, the War Front colt was sent back to rails, again. That was a twist of fate. And fate had dealt him sour lemons. But the colt made sweet lemonade by winning the 144th Preakness in great style.
He has beaten Country House once to win the Gr.2 Risen Star, so he knew the drill. We knew he would have to take the lead from the beginning and keep it. He started off and stayed in the middle from the beginning. War of Will relaxed in the familiar position by the rails and jockey Gaffalione decided not to risk an outward shift. The jockey also let him keep a steady pace, while in the derby the jockey had decided to tug on him.
Warrior's Charge, Market King and Anothertwistafate were engaged in a duel to take the lead, going into the first turn. The three were spread across the track.
Once again, the question arose of whether to shifting into the clear after saving ground, an often used maneuver. But Tyler Gaffalione did not want to attempt the same twice in a month and decided to stay put.
On the inside, Warrior's Charge eventually tired. The Munning’s colt came to the Gr. 1 Preakness field unbeaten in his last two starts and he remained in the picture until the very end landing a well deserved foruth position. His exhaustion however, left the rail wide open allowing Gary Barber's multiple graded stakes winner to charge through.
Everfast who was always a longshot crossed the wire next. The Calumet Farm colt came to the Preakness well-raced. He knew the pressure of a Group level race and had the ability to make it to the front of the pack. Brad H. Cox trained 3YO Owendale was third. The colt had been very impressive in the Gr.3 Lexington Stakes at Keeneland as well.
Runnymede Racing-owned colt, Alwaysmining, won his last six starts including the Tesio which is considered the Preakness prep but didn't pass muster in the Preakness itself. He made a brief threatening rally on the outside before folding up in the stretch.
Improbable foiled his fans again. He almost duplicated his Kentucky Derby run by running with the front pack. The Group One-winning colt couldn't find a fifth gear and eventually just tired out.
Midway through the race, Anothertwistafate backed out of the mix. Although Bodexpress was runner up behind Maximum Security in the Gr.1 Florida Derby his performance in the Kentucky Derby left a lot to be desired and in the Middle Jewel of the Triple Crown, the Top Racing-owned colt threw his jockey off out of the starting gate. He did finish the race, albeit riderless.
The iconic D. Wayne Lukas trained-Into Mischief colt, Market King had been on the veterinarian’s list in Kentucky after being scratched before the Pat Day Mile on the Kentucky Derby undercard was always a misfit in this august field. He finished second to last, though he was one of the three leaders in the race at the start.
Trainer Mark Casse had a point to prove with War Of Will. The 'will' won! Casse hopes to take his colt into the Gr.1 Belmont Stakes but owner Gary Berber has not confirmed yet.
Click here to watch the 2019 Preakness Stakes race replay
Here are the full 2019 Preakness Stakes results
Race Info:
Distance: 1 3⁄16 miles (9.5 furlongs), Record: 1:53.00, Secretariat (1973), Track: Left-handed, Qualification: 3-year-old, Weight: Colt/Gelding: 126 pounds (57 kg), Filly: 121 pounds (55 kg), Purse: US$1,500,000