Claiborne Farms Versatile Classic Winning Freshman Sire War of wills scored his first goal on June 17 as a 2-year-old son of Dede McGehee Willow oak tree won by one and a quarter lengths on her race debut at the Presque Isle Downs.
Willow Oak was the first foal and first colt to finish in the Joyful Cat mares by Kitten’s Joy, a full sister to the Grade 3 winner Charming kitten and many 3rd place winners the queen’s kitten .
Kelsey Danner trains Willow Oak, who is ridden by Adam Beschizza on Presque Isle’s all-weather track. She raced 4 1/2 furlongs in :52.72 and “drove late” to win.
The progeny of War of Will not only knocked on the door of its first win, but also banged on it. Before June 17, War of Will runners had made 11 starts and placed in seven of them, including two black-placed stakes.
8 year old boy of War front , War of Will was the stakes winner at 2. He followed at 3 to win the Preakness Stakes (G1) after capturing the Lecomte Stakes (G3) and the Resurrection Star Stakes ( G2). He showed his versatility at age 4 when he won the Maker’s Mark Mile Stakes (G1T) on turf in Keeneland and finished third in the Woodbine Mile Stakes (G1T). He retired with a record of 5-1-3 after 18 starts and earnings of $1,881,803.
War of Will costs $25,000.
