Will he do it? War seeks to win second Triple Crown contest by landing Belmont

Belmont Stakes Presented By NYRA Bets (Grade 1) | 1m4f | 3yo | dirt | SSR

The wait for a 14th Triple Crown winner goes on with the first two races this year going to different runners, but that might not have been the case if fate had been a little bit kinder to War Of Will, who bids to win the $1.5million Belmont Stakes after victory in the Preakness last month.

War Of Will was the chief sufferer when Maximum Security drifted wide off the home turn in the Kentucky Derby and hampered several rivals, a move that resulted in first-past-the post Maximum Security being disqualified and the prize going to runner-up Country House.

The Gary Barber-owned War Of Will went on to Pimlico, where fortune was on his side as he squeezed through on the inside rail before charging clear to an authoritative success.

Trainer Mark Casse, who also saddles outsider Sir Winston (Joel Rosario), has been pleased with War Of Will in his training and does not believe he is showing any ill effects from a busy Triple Crown campaign.

"The good news is he has lots of energy. He's a handful in the morning, you have to be careful – he's not as sweet as he used to be," Casse said.

"He's no longer the young, innocent boy. He's acting more like a college kid. We're making our third start in five weeks but all that being said, I think he's as good as he can get. We're ready.

"Sir Winston is a sleeper. It would not shock me at all if he's right there at the finish, especially if they give him a little pace. He loves Belmont and he's going to thrive at a mile and a half. There are a lot of people overlooking him, but better to do the interviews after then before."

War Of Will's chief market rival is set to be Tacitus (Jose Ortiz), whose trainer Bill Mott is aiming to take out two legs of the Triple Crown with two different horses after capturing the Kentucky Derby with Country House.

Trainer Bill Mott (centre) and jockey Flavien Prat celebrate after Country House was awarded the Kentucky Derby following the demotion of Maximum SecurityCredit: Andy Lyons (Getty Images)

Tacitus, who is drawn widest of all in stall ten for the Belmont, one place wider than War Of Will, has been off since running third in the Kentucky Derby, and Mott told bloodhorse.com: "I thought his Derby was good. He came running, but he had to change course a number of times, weaving inside and outside through traffic.

"He was willing and he never got stopped or checked, but every time you change course, you're probably taking a little something away from your momentum. It wasn't a bad trip, but it wasn't a golden trip like Country House actually got."

While Mott's achievement would be notable, it would not match that of Master Fencer (Koichi Tsunoda/Julien Leparoux) should he become the first Japanese winner of a US Triple Crown race.

Sixth in the Kentucky Derby, Master Fencer is eligible for a $1m bonus from the New York Racing Association should he capture the Belmont and his rider Julien Leparoux said: "He's got stronger from when I was on him in Kentucky and I'm excited about the race.

"He's very easy to be around. He's a kind horse and very calm and professional. It makes my job easy."

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