Two weeks ago, War of Will was at the center of one of the Kentucky Derby's largest controversies. After it appeared as though Maximum Security had won the race, a steward's inquiry determined that Maximum Security impeded War of Will, and as a result Maximum Security was disqualified. On Saturday, War of Will captured all of the glory that eluded him 14 days prior by winning the 144th running of the Preakness Stakes.
War of Will started in the unfavorable No. 1 post position but successfully navigated the rail to close down Warrior's Charge, who had been leading much of the race, and take first position on the final turn en route to capturing the second leg of the Triple Crown at Pimlico Race Course in Baltimore. It was jockey Tyler Gaffalione's first win in a Triple Crown race.
From the middle of the chaos of the #KYDerby, to the winner of the #Preakness.
— NBC Sports (@NBCSports) May 18, 2019
War of Will takes the second jewel of the Triple Crown. pic.twitter.com/MzXHpj0GPr
MORE: Watch the Preakness Stakes live with fuboTV (7-day free trial)
The bulk of the drama occured at the post; first, race favorite Improbable reared before the gates were opened, and then Bodexpress reared at the start. Bodexpress threw jockey John Velazquez from his mount. Bodexpress went on to race without a jockey but never affected any of the other 12 horses.
Improbable, trained by Bob Baffert, finished a disapointing sixth after a fourth-place finish in the Kentucky Derby. Baffert was looking to become the first trainer to win the Preakness eight times.
Kentucky Derby winner Country House did not compete in the race because of a virus. This was the first Preakness since 1996 that the Kentucky Derby champion was absent from the race.
Preakness Stakes results: Who won the 2019 race?
| Finish | Horse (final odds) |
| 1. | War of Will (6-1) |
| 2. | Everfast (29-1) |
| 3. | Owendale (7-1) |
| 4. | Warrior's Charge (12-1) |
| 5. | Laughing Fox |
| 6. | Improbable |
| 7. | Win Win Win |
| 8. | Bourbon War |
| 9. | Signalman |
| 10. | Anothertwistafate |
| 11. | Alwaysmining |
| 12. | Market King |
| DNF | Bodexpress |
Preakness 2019 live updates
Post time is scheduled for 6:48 p.m. ET.
7:03 p.m.: War of Will wins it!
Today was the day for War of Will! pic.twitter.com/Qf8ylTY4xe
— NBC Sports (@NBCSports) May 18, 2019
7 p.m.: Horses are loaded. Here we go!
6:58 p.m.: Still walking. NBC is really milking this one.
6:52 p.m.: Running a little behind. Still parading the horses around the track.
6:49 p.m.: Looks like beautiful sunny weather for today's race. Much better than last year's muddy and foggy affair.
Riders up! #Preakness144 pic.twitter.com/95dHedAR3m
— Preakness Stakes (@PreaknessStakes) May 18, 2019
6:47 p.m.: Robin Thicke with the "Riders up."
6:44 p.m.: And now the jockeys are ready to go!
Let's meet the jockeys riding in the 2019 #Preakness, presented by @BrighthouseFin! pic.twitter.com/3vvP2G2Ae7
— NBC Sports (@NBCSports) May 18, 2019
6:36 p.m.: Improbable is ready to head to the track.
GI Los Alamitos Futurity winner Improbable is your 5-2 favorite for the #Preakness. pic.twitter.com/8wCN9g2rUE
— TDN (@theTDN) May 18, 2019