Ky Derby Day After: Mark Casse on War of Will, winner's DQ

Trainer Mark Casse talks about his colt War of Will, who finished eighth but was placed seventh upon the disqualification of first-place finisher Maximum Security for coming up into War of Will, who in turn was forced into Long Range Toddy

[@corinneyoung8166]

Thank you Mark Casse - you're a class act !

[@cherylbalmas4901]

WOW was my pick after Omaha Beach was scratched. Love them both equally. He made my day, my week when he made it to second position and was going to give MS a run for his money before all he’ll broke loose. He also practically gave me a heart attack when he was nudged and probably the most impeded of any of the horses in that front row. Prayed to God he wasn’t going to fall. I would like nothing more to see him at the Preakness… Please be there! Will be rooting!

[@larrylomascolo6289]

Mark is a class act,i worked for him 1 year he had a string of 38 at Fort Erie ,we had horses all over the place stalls were at at premium in the early 2001-5 .there was 2 indoor barns that were being repaired to house more horses,1 barn needed a new roof and Mark paid for it out of his pocket so we could have all our runners in 1 barn,He was setting up Eugene Melynk for a breeding program, that was pretty successful.

[@ashell2040]

I remember when Mark was running around over at the OBS pavilion in his teens. Good kid and his dad was a stand up guy. Big players in Ocala & Marks a class act. Would love to see him win the Preakness. You've done well my friend. Good luck in the next two.

[@blissjunkie7380]

A Shell yayyyyyyy! Good call... Deserved the win!!

[@thomasblue6064]

Mr. Mark Casse you are a class act sir. And WOW will get his clean trip , their are still many top 3yo races to go this year. WOW will be there. Now this is my opinion, a 20 horse field is to many. I have watched the Derby for 50yrs and in the last 20 plus years that the field has grown to be this big, there have been many stories of not getting a clean trip causing the best horse not to get the win. I realize it's about money but as Mark Casse stated this Derby could of been a big disaster for U.S. horse racing. Thanks

[@janicewhedbee5199]

Let’s have a matchup race between Will of War and Max Security like the good ol’days Seabisscit Vs War Admiral from the 30s.

[@eponaswift7200]

Janice Whedbee I would love to see that!

[@uprightfossil6673]

I will be watching for hishorses. Seems like the kind of guy you never have to worry about... Is the horse sound? Is he over his head? Great perspective from the side of those with a dog in the fight and not the ones that lost (or won like me) based on this decision

[@valleymountain472]

Love War of Will!

[@slewofdamascus]

WoW is extremely good. He'd be my favorite right now assuming Max doesn't run, and if Max does run, I'd give WoW every chance to take him down. I respect the heck out of Max. He was the best horse.

[@nancycowan5030]

I have been watching WOW for a while and I love his attitude and strength, it is a true shame about the Derby! I am quite thankful that they are all ok! What a mess it could have been! That is why there are rules! I am still curious why the stewards did not issue an inquiry right away! Still so many questions!

[@outoftime7740]

I don't think I have ever seen a jockey claiming objection and an inquiry sign being put up together. I think once the jockeys claims a foul, the stewards decision is basically, the inquiry. I grew up in horse racing and I have never seen those 2 objections out together.

[@loudini2695]

Mark Casse is Definitely a gamer he knows whats good for the game and everyone wants the Derby winner War of will and Maximum security to run back

[@loudini2695]

We can only hope Mr West sees the light and stops all of this talk he needs to do the right thing

[@janicewhedbee5199]

Hey Russian troll! That would be cool.A match race between Max Security And War of Will just like Seabiscuit vs:War Admiral in the 30s

[@natasharostova5859]

Having watched the slow-motion footage of War of Will galloping at 40-ish MPH in the KY Derby with his left front landing between Maximum Security's hind legs -- thanks to Max's blunder -- then come back as the rider asked, then rally again despite the incident, I'd say Casse's faith in the colt is justified. Back in the old days, "good" and "great" were plenty good enough -- they didn't have to all be superhorse Derby Winners with good racing luck in order to be marvelous racehorses. I remember a marvelous horse named Majestic Needle who finished mid-pack in the 1972 KY Derby, then ran sound for five or six (maybe more) years after that, ending up with over 110 starts under his girth. Majestic Needle was by Hill Prince (30 or so starts, won the Preakness, 2nd in the Derby, won a G1 at age five) -- Hill Prince (bred by Secretariat's human grandfather Christopher Chenery) -- Hill Prince was by the incomparable Princequillo -- out of a Needles mare, 2nd dam sire Count Fleet. My point? (Forgive me for getting lost.) My point is that great horses come in many varieties. Courage (which War of Will showed us throughout the incident) and athleticism (ibid) plus heart and a good mind (double ibid) plus the way he travels and what he showed in the LeCompte plus the pedigree he has -- these have already given us a 3YO who's hit the board five out of nine starts with three wins. Hah! None of mine have ever won over $500K! I hope War of Will stays sound and doesn't train on the meds which are destroying our industry. PS: Mark Casse showed real class in this video.

[@touroftheinterred1337]

It was a race, War Of Will recovered and actually passed Maximum Security in the stretch and got passed back...and as far as the integrity of the sport, and the Kentucky Derby in general, this is gonna hang over it for a while!

[@myphone2965]

No it was Code of Honor who passed him!

[@myphone2965]

No controversy maximum security interfered with four horses, causing one horse to get pinched that caused him to finish in 17th place, maximum security had to come down! The only people who see controversy are those who don't know horse racing. I've had horses get disqualified for less then what maximum security did and I've had horses get wiped out by another horse and that horse did not get taken down, it appears to depend on who the trainer is, the owner and the track it happened at.

[@SuperBugbugbug]

Seems Classy

[@janicewhedbee5199]

Let’s have a matchup race between War of Will and Ma

[@michaelpflug394]

Janice Whedbee Owner of Max challenged all five horses that if any beat him he’ll give them $5 million out of his own pocket, might make for an interesting Travers or Haskell. I personally think Country House will take the tainted victory and never run again.

[@wesleykelley9604]

It did look like wow was going to go right past the pace setter so was the horse that got pinched

[@TigerTiger-wf7xq]

Who was the guy in the green plaid shirt who first photobombed the interview then was filming and eventually walked away? That was rather rude.

[@tommiles3863]

ABSOLUTE BLACK EYE FOR HORSE RACING.

[@stevek8829]

@COVFEFEKING MAGA did you forget Bodexpress #21? He almost wrecked and after pulling out had no chance to make the stretch drive he was in perfect position. Maybe Bodexpress would have won. Are you blind?

[@stevek8829]

The stewards know more than you and acted correctly. How is that a black eye?

[@cathleenmallett8834]

Candid peek into the industry. I feel too many horses in the race, the entries need to be cut back to increase the odds for a safe, and no nonsense trip.

[@brianht1434]

Best horse won but could have easily caused injuries due to poor handling and had to be disqualified.Unfortunate for those who bet maximum security.

[@outoftime7740]

There was a better horse in that race, but he got robbed. And his name was War of Will.

[@Sethdominus777]

Casse's horse WOW would ofatleast been in money. in my book Should of got a check for that All that work and one second move determines the outcome WOW

[@myphone2965]

Doesn't work that way, it's horse racing!

[@joebb11]

casse is a good trainer, but if war of will runs in the preakness, there will be a another excuse when he doesn't get the distance. put him back on the grass now, you know its going happen after the experiment is over.

[@ericgonzalez7794]

war of will had the horse to pass em bye but maximum security fucked him over i wish he had a clean bid he had a strong possibility to make history i love war of will im a strong believer of his

[@TheAcenightcreeper]

He won the Preakness

[@reagancmsingh695]

Oh ..No..This is wrong Every horse trying to get a"run" at the time the"winner" was in front and the others had to go around & horses ran into the leader..the track was not properly prepared! Puddles on the turn ..that's the place were they begin the rush for home. Look at last year's derby bad track and a horse could not stride on out of the gates saw shadows and had to be pulled up horses some times do not like these strange conditions -sometimes they get scared enough to go through the rails or jump the shadow!!! Get real- the track MUST be made safe The colt took care of himself by going out of the puddle AMEN!!

[@janicewhedbee5199]

Reagan C M Singh l agree from beginning Max should have won l get back to you later . Have appointment now Thanks

[@ernestschachinger5593]

if that was bob baffets horse..no way he comes down...baffet even said he should nt have come down

[@jayritchie851]

WOW clipped MS from behind FIVE times.....the first 3 clips happened when MS was still in his lane. The proof is on the video. Anyone who says different is lying

[@outoftime7740]

How could you possibly see MS getting clipped by War of Will who was behind him. The cameras aren't watching the horses hooves.. Thank God, War of Will didn't fall down from MS cutting him off so badly like that. War of Will was on his way to winning that race, when MS changed that all for him. DQ on the 7 was definitely the right call.

[@jayritchie851]

There is a slo-mo side view of the horses through the final turn. Its the video that the owner of MS is using in his appeal. The side view depicts the contact WOW instigated with MS. He clipped him 5 times. You cannot see it in the head-on view. The first 2 clips happen while MS is clearly in his lane. Look at the tire track in the mud. The 3rd clip happens as MS veers slightly right...but he is still to the left of the tire track and legally in his lane. The 4th clip happens and MS is moving to his right...running on the tire track. By the 5th clip, MS has had enuff of the contact and has veered well right and is impeding other horses. There was a lane and MS was running in it before the 1st contact. If MS was already veering out on his own, WOW would have stayed on the rail and passed MS on the inside. That's not what happened. WOW's jockey knew there was no room to get by on the rail because MS was staying IN HIS LANE.....so he moved off the rail....to his right to pass...that' s when the contact began. If WOW had not run up on MS, none of this would have happened. I have not seen the MS side view, slo-mo clip video anywhere except online.

[@outoftime7740]

@@jayritchie851 When WoW has his front legs in between MS's hind legs is when the 7 veered over and cut the 1 off. So of course Wars legs are going to be intertwined with the 7's.. You people need to stop thinking with your heart. This is horse racing and there are rules. That horse spooked from that unfamiliar strange object on the infield. The quarter pole. It's clear as day. The horse had too much time on his plate to be looking around. The 7 horse raced that race, turning his head and looking at things,, I noticed.

[@outoftime7740]

@@jayritchie851 The jockey shouldn't be suspended from riding in the Preakness. When a horse spooks away from something. You cant stop that from happening.. But definitely the horse shouldn't be the winner.

[@jayritchie851]

If MS veered wide on his own..as you claim, T. Gaff. would have stayed on the rail and passed him inside. Gaff knew there was no room to get by on the rail because MS was staying IN HIS LANE....so he came out to try to pass. That's when the contact began. The side view is accurate in that it depicts the contact WOW instigated with MS. Saez did not protest because he was unaware WOW had clipped his horse. The horse knew. When something is clipping his heels at 35-40 mph...I don't think he was paying much attention to the pole. A bad DQ...but they won't change it. MS got clipped 4 times before he finally veered way right. If you can't (or won't) see that------can't help you.

[@reagancmsingh695]

If I May-Janice- John R Valasquez confirmed to "Shug" that his mount also almost" stopped" as they approached the same "spot" Look at the race again at the derby..See the "WAR" horse Fighting his "BIT" hes unruly the young Jock could not get him to settle Look at the Pimlico race change of Bits and control gear .Belmont he was all wrong..Why did he not "work Within 10 Days of The BELMONT?? Reagan C M Singh

[@goldeneagle5820]

He should be on front in every race! On the rail and ON FRONT! Run freeeeeee and goooo :):). That is his 'thing'. ;)

[@mikecrawford73]

no more 20 horses in the next race

[@janicewhedbee5199]

TAnd the Kentucky Derby didn’t feel like a Derby . Showing more of Football players and Nascer the 2 announcers l mean really the people wasn’t even singing Kentucky Home on tv screen Bunch of drunks from NFL players NAsCaR should keep their their thing at NAsCaR that never been there and probably don’t even know anything about horse racing Jerry and Randy let’s get back to the traditional with more horse showing and the history Please Thanks

[@dsauce223]

I agree with everything that Mr. Casse said except that the horse should have come down. In a 20 horse field in the slop, that slight contact is just part of horse racing. It had 0 impact on the stretch run, and everyone broke from the gate clean. Other than that, wise words from a legend.

[@dsauce223]

@@toiletpaper4 You're wrong. There's a reason it's never happened in the Kentucky Derby. That's because contact is part of that race in a 20 horse field. Factor in the slop, and no way should that horse come down. I don't even think he contacted another horse. I've seen MUCH WORSE stay up. Much worse.

[@tobyketchum6186]

The horse in rear shouldve chked up instrad he twise hit max tried to run over him it was sloppy track and max mayhave veered but they shouldve let it go conditions were terrible he just got stuck in traffic thats racing

[@belindapowers7492]

Mark Casses horse will win the preakness i do belive that so i hope you all saved some money

[@spirituallifecoachinginsti7207]

FOULS HAPPEN IN EVERY SPORT......RACING IS NO EXCEPTION......GOOD CALL FOR DERBY.....!!!

[@janicewhedbee5199]

In my heart Maxium S is the winner Flavien Pratt is fast rubbing his hands and under his breath “Yeah l got this one at the Preakness .” Someone text about Maximum wearing earplugs, during the race He’s not Mr. Ed He can’t stop in the middle of track of 150,450 people and says I Can’t hear you.

[@janicewhedbee5199]

There was 4 horses l picked and Country House wasn’t one one of them l picked In order Max ,Tacitus,Code of Honor & WOW now what happen at the track a s disaster for all of them which l couldn’t handle it l believe that race belongs to Wow , he was in the middle which it effected him from Maximum Security Now someone tell me please how in the hell Flavien (Country House) win this race ?Just by moving few feet away on outer turn , All these horses in past races get caught up in tight spaces and zigzagging.Max ran a damn good race in mud and stay forward to the finish .This He was spooked and Luis should have kept him straight even through the big mud puddle,l heard the announcer said but manl give credit to WOW jockey and trainer. My heart goes out to jockey Luis both never won a derby race Flavien are you gonna play this cheating game again putting your horse out on a wide turn to win? Can’t stop thinking about this race, l hope Max is in the Preakness. I like Smith but l don’t think that wasn’t cool last minute pulling that jockey off when Smith said he never rode on the other horse Sorry folks getting less sleep working to damn hard remembering names

[@jerryreynolds9486]

Janice Whedbee Wow u did some good handicapping i had tacitus on i didn't think max would go extra distance

[@lurochannel]

Not sure why so much drama, it’s obvious that War of will wasn’t going to win, what Maximum Security did to him wasn’t really a big deal, War of will kept running hard for 200m after the incident and quit. Country house didn’t suffer anything in the race, and he still couldn’t pass Maximum Security, Maximum Security was the best horse.

[@myphone2965]

What do you mean, War of Will would have gotten purse money! Nobody is talking about it, Maximum Security can down to the rail after going wide and interfering with 4 horses, then interfered with Code of Honor! He needed to be taken down.

[@silvereyedstacker1842]

War of Will wasn’t relaxed at any point during the race, which is why he couldn’t finish. He needs the lead. A relaxed WOW on the lead may be a factor at the end of some of these big races. MS lost momentum when he spooked, which is why the others caught up to him briefly, but once he straightened out, he hit another gear. If MS shows up, all of these are running for second. I’m looking for MS to win the Preakness, and Tacitus or GW to win the Belmont.

[@Smile-uwokeup-2day]

I can’t believe some of these horses r not coming back in the Preakness am wow not even country horse why not go for the triple crown. Why not maximum security ok I get it u can’t win the triple crown but why go for da Belmont n I heard they going for Haskell ok then u guess breedersup

[@ahmadkabbani8878]

So true. The sterwards should have posted the inquiry sign but they were busy watching the race as a spectators instead of doing their job.

[@outoftime7740]

I think War of Will was gonna win that race, until Maximum Security veered in front of him and cut him off badly. You can see War of Will chomping at the bit almost the whole race and wanting to go ahead of MS. And finally when War had the opportunity to finally get around MS, Maximum Security was there to stop that from happening. I hope War of Will will race in the Preakness and show his talent.

[@Scubooty]

Just wait until your winning horse fouls a horse who had nothing left in the stretch. Then, we'll see how you like being put about last (instead of winning a grade 1. This will come back around. Karma is coming for you, too. ......Like you say "absolutely." ......And we'll all say you should come down "absolutely"....Just wait. You'll be in this spot. We will all remember you wanting this horse taken down "absolutely."

[@4orrcountry]

If you're saying WOW had nothing left, you are ASSUMING something - and you would be wrong to make that assumption.

[@Scubooty]

@@4orrcountry How is it assuming??????? That's not assuming. The horse looks like he's dragging an anchor in the stretch. Beyer thinks it cost the horse a length. It didn't cost him a chance to win this race. People just looking for any reason to take down people that they know are superior to them. Unfortunately, that has become the fancy, in America.

[@outoftime7740]

How is this Marks fault? Mark's horse didn't lead the race, on the rail as the front runner and hold the field back at his own desire, then veer 4 wide into the stretch and take out 2 horses from the race. Stop thinking with your heart. This is horse racing and there are things that these horses racing just can't do.. And Maximum Security won by racing sloppy and took out the 2 horses that were ready to beat his ass in the stretch.

[@outoftime7740]

Seems the jockey on Maximum Security was suspended for 15 days because of his sloppy racing.

[@michaelpflug394]

Out Of Time Video showed that Max did come out a path or so at the same time WOW was making a premature move to go around and as a result took several kicks to the groin from WOW. I believe Tyler moved early and compromised his chance being impatient and new to the Ky. Derby scene. I also believe those shots to the groin led to Max’s erratic shift several lanes farther out , not being spooked by a camera or whatever they try to claim.

[@Scubooty]

Now we have an imposter declared a Kentucky Derby Winner. A horse who, if they ran this on dry ground, would be desperate to get 5th.

[@kyomastable]

So the horse is an imposter because of a wet track? You know this sport is played outdoors right?

[@Scubooty]

@@kyomastableIt's an imposter, because he got put up. He wasn't best. It's like an F student being allowed to go to the next grade because teacher got a crush for the student. In this case, they got a liking for 2 trainers they know well (Mott and Casse.) They don't know the guy who deserved to win, or what they've heard is bad. That's why Servis went home to a track where the people who run the track will be on his side of the politics.

[@kyomastable]

@@Scubooty I don't disagree with the politics side of it. The horse ran a good race and shouldn't get knocked for it. We will see how good he is this summer. I just see a lot sour grapes being thrown around because the chalk went down. The horse is far cry from a F student.

[@Scubooty]

@@kyomastable It's a lot of people who threw the legit winner out, because they didn't think he could take pace (which was an amateurish assumption. ) They feel embarrassed, and need this bail out (of getting Max tossed out. ) That's whats's going on. As well as the people who played War of Will wanting a bail out for backing a horse who couldn't get 10f.

[@kyomastable]

@@Scubooty We were talking about Country House who was 65-1.

[@Scubooty]

This guy put a horse in a 10f race, and the horse couldn't get 10f. Do you think he'll ever just take responsibility for that? No, he's gunna keep talking about the 1 length that some horse cost him. Ruin someone else's life just because his horse couldn't get 10f. He got moved up 1 spot, (to 7th or something?) but he feels better, now, cuz someone else's dream got destroyed. That's how sadistic people can be. Your horse could not get the distance on that day. Same as many others.

[@4orrcountry]

Casse didn't say that.

[@suestefaniuk4027]

Hey Mark he ran a great race.H e would have won

[@suestefaniuk4027]

@@kitsunedao3895 thats your opinion

[@nathanharrison423]

War of will should have been DQed watch it in slow motion he damn near tripped up Maxium Security causing him to vear out. In a car wreck who's fault is it in a rear end accident? Always the person behind same situation here. Worst call in racing history. Period By the way when the gates opened Country House interfered with several horses right out of the gate. Watch the race in slow mo from start to finish and see if you don't have the same opinion.

[@josephh4539]

2:52 if this is a car, the driver in front is not at fault, especially when hit from the rear. Right there he just said it , ware of wills was cut on right front. His horse ran into max, and max avoids the disaster, and he still wins. Worst objection ever. With those conditions, and that stretch run clearly Max got robbed. Wire to wire!!!

[@4orrcountry]

Wrong - because MS went OVER into WOW's lane which then caused WOW to almost bump into MS. MS' fault, no two ways about it!

[@spirituallifecoachinginsti7207]

WAR OF WILL....IS A GOOD HORSE.....HE GOT CHEATED BECAUSE OF FOUL IN RACE.....!!!

[@loudini2695]

He did not get cheated there is a thing called bad luck peoples comments now are starting to infuriate me the decision to DQ the horse cost me $8000 but that doesn't mean i won't give an honest analysis and say it was the right decision If they did not DQ the horse then the same people would say it was fixed because there was no DQ its an absolute joke

[@flyhigh7918]

I had bets on maximum security and war of will.. maximum security had to come down he veered out multiple paths and affected war of will, long range toddy and maybe a lil of bode express.. maximum security still might have won but war of will jockey had to check the horse at top of the stretch and lost all momentum which changed things dramatically... What a horse is checked sometimes it really ruins the chances of horse regaining momentum and winning.. I dont know why war of will didn't file the objection?? Anyway who knows if will war of will would have won.. we will never know.. but one thing is clear, country house definitely didn't deserve to win but benefited from the unfortunate circumstances... War of will and Long range toddy were the 2 horses affected.. I lost because of the incident lol.. War of Will and Maximum security would have made me money and it sucks plain and simple.. oh well move on

[@flyhigh7918]

One more thing if the race would have been any other day the horse definitely would have had to come down.. I watch horse racing all the time and the horse would definitely have come down any other day so rules are rules... I lost a lot of money because of it but it is what it is

[@Yes...but...]

@@flyhigh7918 the more I read about this the more I think the Kentucky Derby is a different, wilder, more rough and tumble kind of race than any other. It's not comparable and much more likely to have incidents. As far as "rules are rules", well they shouldn't be disregarded but that's what judges are trained for - to look at the bigger picture in any given incident. I think a court case is one way to review all the videos including the most recent one.

[@markjohnston6933]

Casse said the reason Tyler didn't object he didn't want to dq the winner only to move himself up fro 7th to 6th. If hes on the board probably would have filed an objection.

[@jackbauer1781]

Maximum Security won and got robbed. Look at the race 100 times and your horse had no chance of wiinning - from the Philippines