Louisiana Derby Likely Next Target for War of Will

Gary Barber's War of Will emerged from his Feb. 16 triumph in the Risen Star Stakes Presented by Lamarque Ford (G2) in good order, according to trainer Mark Casse's assistant David Carroll, who said the $1 million TwinSpires.com Louisiana Derby (G2) March 23 at Fair Grounds Race Course & Slots would likely be his next start.

"He looked wonderful," Carroll said. "He cleaned up his feed (Saturday) night and cleaned up his breakfast this morning. Just had a little jog this morning and jogged beautifully. He seems very bright and not tired. We're thrilled to death with him. He likes it here, and I don't see Mark or Mr. Barber wanting to change anything so as long as he stays healthy and sound (the Louisiana Derby) is the game plan."

Now unbeaten in three dirt starts, War of Will, by War Front , broke his maiden at Churchill Downs by five lengths before another easy performance in the grade 3 Lecomte Stakes Jan. 19, which he won by four lengths. Those stakes wins have moved him to the top of the main Road to the Kentucky Derby qualifying points list.

When taking the Risen Star Stakes after breaking from the outside post of 13, he did so under a bit more urging from jockey Tyler Gaffalione and won by 2 1/4 lengths.   

"With the outside post we needed to get a forward position and once we did that, he was on the bridle," Carroll said. "Tyler took over a little sooner than he had liked. He said (Saturday) was the first time he waited on horses. Once he got after him, I thought that he finished up very nice, and his gallop out was very strong. I like to think there's plenty left in the tank."

Risen Star Stakes runner-up Country House also exited his performance in good shape. The connections did not rule out returning for the Louisiana Derby from their Payson Park training center base. 

Trained by Hall of Fame conditioner Bill Mott, the son of Lookin At Lucky  was five-wide into the stretch and was unable to keep a straight path around the three-sixteenths pole but was still game enough to finish a strong second. 

"We were very pleased with his effort despite running pretty green in the stretch," said Riley Mott, the assistant and son of Bill Mott. "He came back well and looked good this morning. I'm sure the boss and the owners will discuss his next race once we get him back home but given how he shipped so well and handled the track fine I would say the Louisiana Derby would be an option for us."

Earlier on the card, Country House's half sister Mitchell Road (by English Channel ) won the Albert M. Stall Memorial Stakes on the Stall-Wilson Turf Course. Both are out of War Chant mare Quake Lake. 

Trainer Tom Amoss reported that third-place Risen Star finisher Roiland was in good condition Sunday morning and that a decision on the Louisiana Derby is "up in the air." The James and Mary Durlacher-owned son of Successful Appeal made up for a distant seventh-place effort in the Lecomte Stakes when he rounded out the trifecta in the Risen Star Stakes, where he was 69-1.