Casse sees no Kentucky Derby trail 'wear and tear' on War of Will

After War of Will scored 50 additional points toward the Kentucky Derby in Fair Grounds’ Risen Star Stakes (G2), trainer Mark Casse said Gary Barber’s colt ranks among the top horses he has trained. And keep in mind that list includes champions and Breeders’ Cup winners such at Tepin, Classic Empire and World Approval.

“He has to prove a few more things," Casse said. "I’ve been fortunate. I’ve had some pretty incredible horses.”

War of Will's next opportunity should come in the March 23 Louisiana Derby (G2), which will likely be his final prep race on March 23 before the 2019 Kentucky Derby on May 4. 

Casse's assistant, David Carroll, told Fair Grounds publicity on Sunday morning that War of Will -- called “Wow” around the barn -- exited the Risen Star is good shape. 

“He's great. Looks terrific,” Carroll said. “He had a little jog this morning. We're very proud. (Wow's) a cool horse."

Casse’s brother, Justin, agent for Barber, purchased War of Will as a 2-year-old from the Arqana May Sale in France for $298,550. The son of War Front began his career on turf, picking up Grade 1 placing in Woodbine’s Summer Stakes (G1). He now owns three consecutive wins on the dirt: a maiden victory at Churchill Downs, the Lecomte (G3) at Fair Grounds and the Risen Star.

“I know I keep saying this,” Casse said, “and I get more nervous when he runs than most horses, and I think that’s just because I expect so much of him.”

War of Will overcame a wide post in the Risen Star, showing speed out of the gate before relaxing for jockey Tyler Gaffalione. Gun It, the lone horse to break to War of Will’s outside in the 14-horse field, was sent to the lead by Ricardo Santana Jr. 

“When I saw they were intent on going I just tried to get him back and tried to get him to relax,” Gaffalione said. “He came back to me nicely, settled good down the backside. He got a little keen going into the far turn, wanted to move a little bit early, but I didn’t want to take too much away from him so I just tried to sit as long as I could. Like I said, he kind of was waiting on horses down the lane, but the more I kept him at task he kept going on.”

The Risen Star marked the first Derby prep of the season worth 50 points. The win propelled War of Will to the top of the leaderboard with a total of 60 points ahead of juvenile champion Game Winner, who has not made his sophomore debut yet, with 30. Country House, the Risen Star runner-up, is in third with 20 points.

While trainer Bob Baffert's 3-year-olds include Game Winner, Los Alamitos Futurity (G1) winner Improbable and Robert B. Lewis (G3) winner Mucho Gusto, Casse has an impressive arsenal of his own. In addition to War of Will, the impressive allowance winner Dream Maker is pointing to the Tampa Bay Derby (G2) and Our Braintrust is heading to the Rebel Stakes (G2).

“It doesn’t matter how good you are in December or January. It’s how good you are in May,” Casse said of War of Will. “You want to continue to get better and better. You want your horse to thrive through racing. I thought today, I’ve never seen him look as good as he does today.

"A lot of horses can’t take the wear and tear of the Derby preps. He’s actually thrived in them and I think that’s important.”