Gary Barber's War of Will (War Front), slated to contest the May 4 GI Kentucky Derby, breezed five furlongs from the gate in :59 over a fast track at Keeneland Saturday. The time was the fastest of 44 works at the distance. With jockey Tyler Gaffalione aboard, War of Will carved out splits of :22.80, :34.60 and :46.20 and galloped out six furlongs in 1:11.60. (Video)
“He broke sharp and had running on his mind,” Gaffalione explained. “He did everything very easy. Mark said he wanted a good five-eighths, so I just let him do his thing. He cruised along and pulled up great and came back happy. He is really proud of himself.”
Trained by Mark Casse, the colt has 60 qualifying points and a guaranteed place in the first leg of the Triple Crown.
“Horses sometimes get more (conditioning) from working from the gate,” Casse's Keeneland assistant, David Carroll, said. “He broke very sharp, worked beautifully and the gallop out was tremendous. He cooled out really well, and we are very happy.”
At Fair Grounds earlier this year, War of Will won the GII Risen Star S. and the GIII Lecomte S. Most recently, he was ninth in the Mar. 23 GII Louisiana Derby after losing his footing at the start.
“He is a kind horse to be around, and in the past week he has really been on his toes and is very sharp,” Carroll said. “He told us coming into (today) that he is ready for a good workout. In the Paddock on his way to the track, he was very playful.”
Carroll indicated War of Will likely will have another work next week at Keeneland and a final tune-up at Churchill Downs in the days leading up to the Derby.
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