Claiborne Farm's versatile classic-winning freshman sire War of Will scored his first winner June 17 when Dede McGehee's homebred 2-year-old filly Willow Oak won by 1 1/4 lengths in her racing debut at Presque Isle Downs.
Willow Oak is the first foal and the first runner out of the Kitten's Joy mare Joyful Cat, who is a full sister to grade 3 winner Charming Kitten and multiple grade 3-placed stakes winner Queen'splatekitten.
Kelsey Danner trains Willow Oak, who was ridden by Adam Beschizza on Presque Isle's all-weather track. She raced 4 1/2 furlongs in :52.72 and "drove clear late" for the win.
War of Will's progeny have not just been knocking on the door of a first win, they've been pounding on it. Prior to June 17, War of Will runners had made 11 starts and placed in seven of them, including two placings in black-type stakes.
An 8-year-old son of War Front , War of Will was a stakes-placed winner at 2. He went on at 3 to win the Preakness Stakes (G1) after capturing the Lecomte Stakes (G3) and Risen Star Stakes (G2). He showed his versatility at 4 when he won the Maker's Mark Mile Stakes (G1T) on the grass at Keeneland and was third in the Woodbine Mile Stakes (G1T). He retired with a 5-1-3 record from 18 starts and earned $1,881,803.
War of Will stands for $25,000.
