Preakness Win a 'Dream Come True' for Groom Bussanich

When 21-year-old Samantha Bussanich fell to her knees in the dirt of Pimlico Race Course May 18, there was no pain, only joy. The roar and chaos of the crowd was overwhelming, but the outcome was clear: War of Will was the winner of the 144th Preakness Stakes (G1). 

Back up on her feet, tears still in her eyes, Bussanich—serving as the colt's groom in Maryland—was pacing in nervous excitement as jockey Tyler Gaffalione galloped the dark bay back to the winner's circle. She was among the first to greet the triumphant pair. 

"I was watching the race with my best friend, and it's all kind of a blur now," Bussanich said. "I remember falling to the ground, overcome with emotion. This is the best day of my life."

Bussanich and assistant trainer Kim Carroll—who is also War of Will's exercise rider—shared the mantle of Black-Eyed Susans as they escorted the victor to the Pimlico test barn following the race. 

"I'm so happy for everyone involved and all the connections. But mostly for (trainer) Mark (Casse)," Bussanich said. "He deserves this. He's the best, and he's so deserving of this. I'm so happy for everyone."

Bussanich and 'Will,' as he's often referred to in the Casse barn, go way back. She remembers vividly the day Casse introduced the striking son of War Front to his team.

No stranger to the ups and downs of the Thoroughbred industry, Bussanich is a co-founder of the Nexus Racing Club, an ownership entity that partners with established racing operations to help introduce new fans to the industry. She is also a student at the University of Kentucky pursuing a dual-degree in Marketing and Equine Science and Management.

Passionate about racing, Bussanich first met War of Will when he joined Casse's barn at 2. Although he would not race until 3, Bussanich said it did not take long for her to fall in love with the colt's loving and even-tempered personality. 

"I think the coolest part of working with Mark is seeing how our 2-year-olds develop into 3-year-olds and seeing what they become, teaching them their first steps as a racehorse," Bussanich said. "We had him as an unraced 2-year-old, and Mark always brought him out to show with the others like Wonder Gadot and Road to Victory. I have a picture of him, just me and him as a 2-year-old. He was standing so beautifully, and I thought, 'This is my horse. I love bays, and he's a big dark bay with a big white blaze and four white socks. I've been waiting for a horse like this to come into our barn.' He is my everything."

It's a rare sight in the Casse barn to see the now-classic winner without Bussanich. 'Will' and Sam, Sam and 'Will'—they are two of a kind. Whether walking in step along the shedrow, standing together in comfortable silence as War of Will takes a moment to graze, or posing for photographers, the two rarely part but for the moments Bussanich lets go of the shank to allow War of Will the space to do his job. Every step of War of Will's career has been a labor of love, and Saturday was no different.

After a troubled trip in the May 4 Kentucky Derby Presented by Woodford Reserve (G1) at Churchill Downs, emotions were high for the Casse team as War of Will took his spot in the Preakness starting gate. But the outcome of the middle jewel of the Triple Crown went much differently, and there was no containing the excitement of Bussanich and the entire Casse team. 

"You dream about days like this," Bussanich said. "Being with this horse as a 2-year-old at Saratoga and now we're here at the Preakness. Like I said before, I'm so happy for Mark. He's the best boss. I'm happy for (assistant trainer) David Carroll and his string at Keeneland that also had him at Fair Grounds. I'm happy for Chuckie, his groom that had him at Fair Grounds, and Hector, his groom at Churchill. It's such a team effort, and that's what it is: It's Team Casse. 

"During the race, everything we worked for came together. It was amazing, and there is no way to describe it. You really do dream of days like this. It's incredible, and I'm so happy."