War of Will

War of Will ran a game second in his second career start in the Grade 1 Summer Stakes in September at Woodbine. The War Front colt followed with a fourth-place finish, beaten by only three-quarters of a length, in the Grade 3 Bourbon Stakes at Keeneland. He then finished fifth in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf before his connections opted to give him a try on the main track. In his final start at two, War of Will picked up his first career victory with a five-length runaway on a sloppy main track at Churchill Downs in a 1 1/16-mile maiden special weight race.

After a successful initial foray on the dirt, War of Will was pointed to the Triple Crown trail with his first test in the Grade 3 Lecomte Stakes at Fair Grounds on Jan. 19. He stalked the pace from third early, moved up to take command on the far turn, and surged away to a dominant four-length victory. He followed with another runaway victory at Fair Grounds, using his high cruising speed to gain ideal position early from post-position 14 in the Grade 2 Risen Star Stakes Presented by Lamarque Ford. From there it was just a matter of lengths between War of Will and the runner-up and he took control on the far turn and left 13 opponents reeling in his wake.

The 50 points earned for winning the Risen Star secured a starting spot in the Kentucky Derby Presented by Woodford Reserve for the War Front colt, who moved on to the Grade 2 Lousiana Derby on March 23. In his final prep for the Kentucky Derby, War of Will came up empty. He was sixth in the early stages of the race between horses and never put in a serious bid, fading to finish ninth.

War of Will trained well leading up to the Kentucky Derby and trainer Mark Casse made the decision to go on to the first jewel of the Triple Crown. He launced a rally on the final turn and looked menacing when Maximum Security ducked out in front of him, leading to some bumping with Long Range Toddy and Bodexpress. War of Will moved up to third in the stretch but faded late to finish eighth. He was moved up to seventh following the disqualification of Maximum Security.

War of Will entered the May 18 Preakness Stakes seeking better racing luck, and drew the rail once again. Facing off against 12 opponents, he broke well and saved ground again, stalking a fast pace set by Warrior’s Charge. Tyler Gaffalione moved his charge up through an opening on the inside at the top of the stretch, and War of Will powered clear to an impressive 1 ¼-length win over longshot Everfast. The win gave Gaffalione and trainer Casse their first classic victories.

War of Will became the only 3-year-old to contest all three Triple Crown races in 2019 when he started in the June 8 Belmont Stakes Presented by NYRA Bets. He tracked the pace in midpack through midway in the far turn but tired in early stretch to finish eighth behind fellow Mark Casse trainee Sir Winston. He then competed three more times in 2019 in major races, finishing fifth in the Jim Dandy Stakes, a good third in the Pennsylvania Derby, and ninth in the Longines Breeders' Cup Classic.

Casse brought War of Will back for a 4-year-old campaign and switched him back to turf in the Grade 1 Shoemaker Mile on May 25, 2020 at Santa Anita Park. He crossed the finish line fifth in that race but was disqualified to sixth for interference. That race turned out to be a nice tune-up for War of Will's next start in a competitive edition of the Maker's Mark Mile at Keeneland on July 10, delayed from the spring. Under strong urging from Tyler Gaffalione, War of Will surged through the stretch to collar Parlor at the finish for a thrilling score, becoming a Grade 1 winner on turf as well as dirt. 

Out of stakes winner Visions of Clarity, by Sadler’s Wells, War of Will is a half-brother to Group 1 winner Pathfork. Visions of Clarity is a three-quarter-sister to Breeders’ Cup Mile winner and multiple European Group 1 winner Spinning World.