War of Will has bounced back from a bumpy ride in the Kentucky Derby to win the Preakness Stakes at Pimlico, holding off a field that included a riderless horse which threw his jockey out of the gate.
Trainer Mark Casse celebrated his first Triple Crown victory with War of Will who suffered interference in the Kentucky Derby, which led to first-place finisher Maximum Security being disqualified.
Bodexpress threw his jockey John Velazquez just out of the starting gate but still finished the race without creating any problems.
War of Will made a move around the final turn under Tyler Gaffalione and did not relent down the straight. Hard-charging late addition Everfast came in second and Owendale third.
An inquiry was briefly put up on the board at Pimlico Race Course but quickly taken down.
Casse, 58, entered a horse in the Preakness for the fifth time and came closest two years ago when Classic Empire finished second.
It’s also a breakthrough for Gaffalione, who has become something of a rising star since being named top apprentice rider in 2015. Gaffalione, 24, was aboard War of Will for the colt’s sixth consecutive race and came away with the biggest victory of his young career.
Bob Baffert-trained Improbable was beaten as the favourite for the second consecutive Triple Crown race.
Neither Maximum Security nor Kentucky Derby winner contested the Preakness.
