The Great War debuts for Ward in 96Rock

The Great War (center) was a solid fourth in the BC Juvenile (Breeders’ Cup Ltd. Photo) Last seen finishing a creditable fourth in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile (G1) for Aidan O’Brien, The Great War (War Front) will make his first start for Wesley Ward in Saturday’s $75,000 96Rock S. at Turfway Park. The 6 1/2-furlong dash is a stepping stone to the track’s marquee Kentucky Derby (G1) prep, the March 21 Spiral S. (G3), with the March 1 John Battaglia Memorial serving as the in-between prep. The Great War is making a homecoming of sorts, having been bred in Kentucky by Claiborne Farm. The close relative of multiple Grade 2-winning millionaire Departing (War Front) was sold for $1 million as a yearling at Keeneland September. Racing for Coolmore principals Michael Tabor, Derrick Smith and Mrs. John Magnier in partnership with Joseph Allen, The Great War got off to a quick start as a juvenile at Ballydoyle. The precocious colt won his first two starts at Tipperary and the Curragh, respectively, before a disappointing fifth as the odds-on favorite in the Norfolk (Eng-G2) at Royal Ascot. He was subsequently a subpar sixth in the July S. (Eng-G2), an encouraging second in the Curragh S., and a better-than-appears 11th under 128 pounds in a lucrative event at Doncaster.

The Great War turned the corner with a 3 1/2-length coup in the September 28
Blenheim S. back at the Curragh, earning a crack at the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile
at Santa Anita. In his first attempt on dirt, and beyond 6 1/2 furlongs, he
chased the wickedly fast pace and held on determinedly for fourth.

Considering how well Juvenile third Upstart (Flatter) performed in last
Saturday’s Holy Bull (G2), and that Juvenile fifth went on to miss narrowly in
both the Delta Downs Jackpot (G3) and Los Alamitos Futurity (G1), The Great War
is entitled to run up to his reputation here. He has been training forwardly
over the Turfway Polytrack, and has drawn in the middle of the field in post 6.
Albin Jimenez has the call.

Trainer Mike Maker is double-handed with Gulfstream Park shippers Serious
Talk (Forestry) and Two Step Temper (Two Step Salsa). Unbeaten Serious Talk
debuts for the barn off a $35,000 claim, while Two Step Temper seeks better luck
after a pair of tough trips on turf.

Candy Charger (Candy Ride), 10th behind Dortmund (Big Brown) in a Churchill
Downs allowance two back, exits a front-running allowance score at Turfway.
Milwaukee Mist (Milwaukee Brew) bested the well-bred Musical Score (Unbridled’s
Song) in a local maiden January 3, while Worth the Gamble (Van Nistelrooy) just
rolled to a 2 1/4-length decision here January 16. Worth the Gamble was
previously second to Runhappy (Super Saver) in his eventful maiden romp.

Also worth a look is Draw Nigh (Elite Squadron), who has won or placed in his
three career tries on Tapeta at Presque Isle Downs. A three-length maiden winner
there in June, he was third in the September 25 Fitz Dixon Jr. Memorial Juvenile
S. The Jim Rankin runner has not raced since capturing a second-level allowance
at Mountaineer November 22.

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