The Great War No Longer Pursuing Derby
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The Great War, who was last of 10 in the John Battaglia Memorial Stakes Feb. 28 at Turfway Park after bleeding during the race, is no longer a candidate for the Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (gr. I).
Trainer Wesley Ward confirmed to Churchill Downs racing secretary Ben Huffman that The Great War will no longer pursue the May 2 Kentucky Derby, the track announced in a press release March 1. Hence, betting on The Great War has been suspended from the Kentucky Derby Future Wager's pool 3, for which betting concludes at 6 p.m. ET Sunday.
The War Front colt was listed as #21 in pool 3 and betting was suspended prior to the start of Sunday's final day of the third of four Kentucky Derby Future Wager pools. The official Equibase chart for the Battaglia notes that Ward's colt bled when he faded from second to finish last in the 1 1/16-mile race on the Polytrack.
The Great War, owned by Coolmore and partners and Joseph Allen, has a career record of 4-1-0 from 10 starts and earnings of $250,123. After starting his career in Ireland and England, he finished fourth to Texas Red in his United States debut in the Sentient Jet Breeders' Cup Juvenile (gr. I) for trainer Aidan O'Brien, then subsequently moved to Ward's stable. He won the 96Rock Stakes at Turfway Park by 7 1/4 lengths Jan. 31, in his only start of 2015 prior to Saturday's Battaglia Memorial, which was won by WinStar Farm's Royal Son.