War of Will overcomes outside post, wins Risen Star Stakes

Neither an outside post position nor an early sprint near the front of the pack to overcome it deterred War of Will’s march to the 2019 Kentucky Derby. Yes, they call him the "Wow" horse around the Mark Casse barn for a reason.

The flashy colt continued his turf-to-dirt success Saturday with a commanding victory in Fair Grounds’ Grade 2, $400,000 Risen Star Stakes.

"You don't win the Kentucky Derby -- I've been to a few of them, and you'd better have some seasoning," Casse said. "This was another step. I've been fortunate to train a lot of good horses. He's one of the best. I think he's a superstar."

Under jockey Tyler Gaffalione, War of Will had all but two horses in a full field beat facing a short run up to the first turn. He settled patiently as Gun It set the fractions, then faded, as the son of War Front took the lead midway through the turn and rolled from there.

"He gets out of the gate well," Gaffalione said. "He puts himself where he needs to be. The rest is up to just getting him to relax and trying to get him to switch off. I made the lead a little bit earlier than I wanted to today. I was kind of waiting on horses, but he had plenty of run left."

Campaigned by Gary Barber, War of Will prevailed as an even-money favorite by 2 1/4 lengths over Country House, a 20-1 morning line shot who, as anticipated, dropped significantly to a 6-1 closing price.

War of Will locked up his spot in the May 4 Derby’s starting gate by earning 50 more qualifying points in the Risen Star. He’s expected to remain in New Orleans for the Louisiana Derby (G2) as a final prep.

Roiland and Hog Creek Hustle ran third and fourth behind the Top 2.

War of Will completed 8 1/2 furlongs in 1:44.59.

"Of course, today Tyler had to hit the gas pedal a little hard early. It got him cranking," Casse said. "My biggest concern, because he did it the first couple of times he ran, is he'll make the lead and start pulling himself up."

Other than Country House, however, none in the field posed a serious threat in the stretch.

War of Will successfully ran back from his 3-year-old debut winning Fair Grounds' Lecomte. Last November, the colt made the switch from turf, where he was Grade 1-placed, to look like a much more imposing runner on the main track.

"One down," Casse said of the Risen Star, "two more to go."