War Of Will enjoyed a trouble-free trip to beat Everfast in the Preakness at Pimlico last month. He’d failed to get a clear run in a controversial Kentucky Derby before that when behind TACITUS but the latter also ran into trouble at Churchill Downs before staying on strongly in the closing stages. This extra distance looks sure to suit Bill Mott’s colt and he gets the vote. Japanese challenger Master Fencer wasn’t disgraced in the Kentucky Derby and should also appreciate the 1m4f trip while Todd Pletcher won this as recently as 2017 and Intrepid Heart is preferred to stablemate Spinoff. Better was expected of Bourbon War in the Preakness but first-time blinkers failed to have the desired effect and they’re left off today.
Joevia (USA) 13-10fav (8-5) Vied inside, drew clr, won at Monmouth Park 1m stks fst in May beating The Right Path (8-5) by 2 3/4l, 4 ran.
Everfast (USA) 28-1 (9-0) 3wd 3/16,rail 1/8,bid, 2nd of 13, 1 1/4l behind War Of Will (9-0) at Pimlico 1m 1f stks fst in May.
Master Fencer (JPN) 55-1 (9-0) Veer st,out&in,willing, 7th of 19, at Churchill Downs 1m 2f fst in May.
Tax (USA) 35-1 (9-0) No factor inside, 15th of 19, at Churchill Downs 1m 2f fst in May.
Bourbon War (USA) 11-2 (9-0) 3wd 1/2,no factor, 8th of 13, 9 1/2l behind War Of Will (9-0) at Pimlico 1m 1f stks fst in May.
Spinoff (USA) 50-1 (9-0) Wide thruout,empty 1/4, 18th of 19, at Churchill Downs 1m 2f fst in May.
Sir Winston (USA) 14-1 (8-8) 6w upper, good finish, 2nd of 5, 1 1/4l behind Global Campaign (8-4) at Belmont Park 1m 1f stks fst in May.
Intrepid Heart (USA) 11-10fav (8-4) Stumbled st, weakened, 3rd of 5, 6l behind Global Campaign (8-4) at Belmont Park 1m 1f stks fst in May.
War Of Will (USA) 6-1 (9-0) Rail bid 3/16, driving, won at Pimlico 1m 1f stks fst in May beating Everfast (9-0) by 1 1/4l, 13 ran.
Tacitus (USA) 11-2 (9-0) Unsettled,good courage, 4th of 19, at Churchill Downs 1m 2f fst in May.
