War of Will Wins Preakness

War of Will, the colt who ran up behind Maximum Security, causing Maximum Security's disqualification in the Kentucky Derby, won the 144th running of the Preakness this afternoon at Pimlico Race Course.  Trained by Mark Casse, and ridden (again) by Tyler Gaffalione, the colt broke from the one post, as he did in the Kentucky Derby.  Unlike riding in the previous race, the jockey did not urge the horse to break extremely quickly, and the colt ran well without fighting the jockey as he did in the Derby.
   There was a gaffe in the Preakness, as Bodexpress was behaving badly in the starting gate, and had jockey John Velaquez pinned against the outside wall.  The jockey had removed his feet from the stirrups and the gates-man, inside the stall was holding Bodexpress' bridle when the starter opened the gates.  Bodexpress tried to blast out of the gate, but was checked by the man's hand on his bridle.  He reared, then bucked, sending John Velasquez flying through the air.  The jockey was unhurt, but very disappointed.  The colt ran the entire race, but moved away from the out-riders every time they attempted to catch and restrain him.
   Due to Bodexpress' riderless romp, the Stewards at Pimlico immediately hit the "Inquiry" sign switch as the race ended.  Seeing that Bodexpress had not interfered with any other horses and there were no fouls claimed, the sign was taken down shortly after the race.
   War of Will ran the 1 and 3/16 mile in a time of 1:54.34, and finished 1 and 1/4 lengths ahead of Everfast, who was 1 1/4 lengths ahead of Owendale.  Warrior's Charge was 2 1/2 lengths behind Owendale in fourth, Laughing Fox finished fifth, and the betting favorite at start time, Improbable, finished sixth. Finishing out the order of crossing the finish line (with their jockeys on board) were: 7th Win Win Win; 8th Bourbon War; 9th Signalman; 10th Anothertwistafate; 11th Alwaysmining; and 12th Market King.  Bodexpress was listed as "DNF" since he crossed the line without carrying 126 pounds for the distance.
   The pay-outs for $2 bets were: War of Will - win - $14,20; Everfast - place - $32.00; and Owendale - show - $6.00.   The $2 multi-pick tickets paid: exacta - $947.00; trifecta - $9,389.60; and superfecta - $103,848.80.
     We now wait three weeks for the running of the Belmont Stakes at Belmont Park in New York....