War of Will leads as Kentucky Derby prep season turns to March

Feb 25, 2019 Vance Hanson/Brisnet.com

Significant changes to the Kentucky Derby (G1) leaderboard occurred last week as the prep season for the month of February concluded.

War of Will (#1, 60 points) virtually guaranteed himself a spot in the starting gate at Churchill Downs on the first Saturday in May with an impressive victory in the Risen Star (G2) at Fair Grounds, worth 50 points to the winner. He previously earned 10 points with a season-opening score in the Lecomte (G3). Meanwhile, Risen Star runner-up Country House (#3, 20) bolted into the top five earning 20 points for his effort.

Also entering the leaderboard were Anothertwistafate (#17, 10), who captured the El Camino Real Derby at Golden Gate Fields, and Super Steed (#11, 10), the 62-1 upset winner of the Southwest (G3) at Oaklawn Park on Presidents Day. Southwest third-place finisher Long Range Toddy (#7, 16) earned an additional two points to bump his total to 16.

Fifty points to the winner will be up for grabs in Saturday's $400,000 Fountain of Youth (G2) at Gulfstream Park, the first Derby prep of March. Among the likely participants currently on the leaderboard are Kentucky Jockey Club (G2) winner Signalman (#5, 18) and Holy Bull (G2) victor Harvey Wallbanger (#14, 10).

One horse that will be passing the Fountain of Youth is Maximus Mischief (#9, 12), who was ruled out over the weekend after a lackluster workout. He's reportedly out of action indefinitely and his Kentucky Derby status is now questionable.

The domestic Road to the Kentucky Derby series continues after that on March 9 with the San Felipe (G2), Tampa Bay Derby (G2), Gotham (G3), and Jeff Ruby Steaks (G3).

(Hodges Photography)