War Story (Northern Afleet), third in the recent Louisiana Derby (G2) at Fair
Grounds, worked at Churchill Downs on Wednesday in preparation for a planned
start in the Kentucky Derby (G1). The gelding breezed four furlongs over a fast
track in :49 1/5 as Loooch Racing Stable’s Ron Paolucci and trainer Tom Amoss
looked on.
The work by War Story was his first since the March 28 Louisiana Derby, and
Amoss said after the training move that War Story would be pointed to the
Kentucky Derby and jockey Joe Talamo will have the mount in the Run for the
Roses.
“We chose to work him with blinkers off, which is an idea that we’re
considering for his next start, and the work went well,” Amoss said. “He’s got
an affinity for the Churchill track — he won over it in his first start — and
he showed that today in his work and how he finished up. Speaking to majority
owner Ron Paolucci after the work, I think we’re looking towards the Kentucky
Derby with him.”
War Story currently ranks 14th with 44 points on the Road to the Kentucky
Derby Leader board. The point system determines the eligibility of Kentucky
Derby candidates to be a part of the maximum field of 20 that will compete in
the race.
War Story launched his racing career with a victory in a seven-furlong maiden
race on November 1 at Churchill and will bring a record of 2-2-1 in five races
and earnings of $243,600 into the Derby.
War Story was purchased by his current owners and moved to Amoss’ barn after
his debut, and won a one-mile allowance race at Fair Grounds on December 28 in
the first outing for his new barn.
Along with his third-place run in the Louisiana Derby, War Story was the
runner-up in the Lecomte (G3) and Risen Star (G2) at Fair Grounds.
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