Prince Will I Am makes splashes in McKnight

Last updated: 12/18/10 5:59 PM

Prince Will I Am is now a graded stakes winner on turf and dirt

(Jim Lisa Photos)

Saturday’s $150,000
W.L.
McKnight H. (G3) at Calder lost half its field and saw its status drop from
Grade 2 to Grade 3 when a soaking afternoon rainstorm forced the 1 1/2-mile
event from the turf to the sloppy main track. The weather did not bother Casa
Farms’ PRINCE WILL I AM (Victory Gallop), who prevailed as the even-money
favorite under Javier Castellano. Gradually improving position on 8-5 second
choice Presious Passion (Royal Anthem), the winner took over from that rival
with four furlongs remaining and held sway over 6-1 chance Free Fighter (Out of
Place) through the lane to score by 2 1/2 lengths.

Multiple Grade 1 turf star Presious Passion, who had run a close second in
the off-the-turf Pan American S. (G3) in March 2009, maintained a comfortable
lead for the opening mile, setting splits of :25 3/5, :50 3/5, 1:16 3/5 and 1:43
1/5. Like many his recent efforts, however, he proved incapable of holding his
lead the whole way. Prince Will I Am took over with a bold move rounding the
last of three turns and opened up more than two lengths on the field. The margin
never got smaller than that, as Prince Will I Am reeled off 10 furlongs in 2:09
4/5 and finished up in 2:38 2/5.

Prince Will I Am paid $4, $2.60 and $2.10. Free Fighter returned $4.40 and $3 after
finishing 3 1/2 lengths ahead of Memorial Maniac (Lear Fan), who gave back
$3.40 at 12-1. Presious Passion just held on to fourth by a neck over Simmard (Dixieland
Band). The exacta paid $11.20, the trifecta $57, and the 4-10-3-2 superfecta
$104. Black Scorpion (Scorpion) and Musketier (Ger) (Acatenango) were scratched
before the McKnight was switched to the main track, and were followed after that
announcement by Telling (A.P. Indy), Bold Hawk (Silver Hawk) and Rescue Squad
(Dynaformer).

Michelle Nihei conditions Prince Will I Am, who became the just the fourth
three-year-old to win the McKnight, which dates to 1973. The most recent
sophomore winner was Devil’s Preacher, who won the 2006 edition that was also
switched from turf to dirt.

“We knew he’d handle the surface and the distance,” Nihei said. “Some
of the goals next year will be the Arlington Million (G1) and Breeders’
Cup Turf (G1). As for Gulfstream, the two races we’ll be looking at are
the Donn H. (G1) or the Gulfstream (Park) Turf (H. [G1]).”

Unplaced in his first three stakes appearances, Prince Will I Am made a
successful return to that level in the October 9 Jamaica H. (G1), upsetting that
nine-furlong grass event at Belmont Park by 1 1/4 lengths at 9-1. He maintained
his good form when crossing the wire second in the November 5 Breeders’ Cup
Marathon (G3), but was disqualified and placed 10th after a bumping episode
rounding the final turn. The incident resulted in a widely-publicized
altercation between Castellano and jockey Calvin Borel following the race.
Prince Will I Am’s record now stands at 12-4-2-1, $296,090.

Bred in Kentucky by Roxanne Martin Stable & Anzac LLC, Prince Will I Am is
the first foal out of the winning Dyna’s Dynamo (Dynaformer), a daughter of
multiple stakes heroine Dynawhite (Vigors) and a half-sister to multiple stakes
hero Glacia (Northern Flagship). The nine-year-old mare is also responsible for
the unraced juvenile gelding Washburn (Five Star Day). This is the family of
Grade 3 victor Strawberry Wine (Strawberry Road [Aus]).