War of Will, with Tyler Gaffalione riding once again, was not impeded this time.
BALTIMORE — War of Will, who lost a chance at victory in the Kentucky Derby after tangling with Maximum Security, rebounded to win the 144th running of the Preakness Stakes.
Two weeks ago, 22 minutes after Maximum Security appeared to be the emphatic winner of the 145th Derby, three stewards, horse racing’s version of referees, ruled that when the colt had jumped a puddle, he impeded the progress of a rival, War of Will, almost knocking off that colt’s rider, Tyler Gaffalione.
It set off a chain reaction that resulted Maximum Security being disqualified and placing 17th. Gaffalione was aboard War of Will in the Preakness.
By contrast, the Preakness was a low-wattage affair. Maximum Security was not here. Nor was the horse who became the winner of the Kentucky Derby through a disqualification — Country House.
In fact, it was the first time since 1951 that the second leg of the Triple Crown did not include any of the first four horses that crossed the finish line in the Derby.
