War Pass Takes the Lead

War Pass was born to run. He possesses the natural ability to take the lead and win races. With an already spotless career at the tender age of three, War Pass is a formidable competitor and has everyone in the horse racing industry watching this growing success story closely. He is a horse that is spirited, determined, and dedicated to performing at his best from the moment he enters the starting gates.

Foaled by Vue, who was also the dam of the legendary Oath, at Cherry Valley Farm, War Pass was already on the road to greatness. His sire, Cherokee Run, is eighteenth on the list of leading stallions and had a successful racing career of his own. Cherokee Run banked approximately $1.5 million and sired other great horses such as Kafwain and Chilukki. This exceptional combination of genes has seen War Pass win races with grace, style and ease.

The unbeaten War Pass, winning all five of his career starts, was quickly noticed by the racing fraternity. He was honored with the 2007 Eclipse Award for Leading 2 Year Old Male. Owner, Robert LaPenta, who bought War Pass as a yearling for $180 000, could not have made a better purchase. Trained under the watchful eye of Nick Zito, War Pass has excelled beyond all the expectations of both Zito and LaPenta, earning over $1.3 million in only four starts.

After taking a four and a half month layoff, War Pass made his debut as a three year old with all the style and racing spectacular that has become synonymous with him. He took on Gulfstream Park on Sunday, 24 February 2008, showing no signs of rest as he broke away at post five. War Pass ran his own race, leaving jockey Cornelio Velasques with nothing left to do but enjoy the ride to victory, without raising his crop once.

On the 15th of March 2008, War Pass will be entering the Tampa Bay Derby, and it is expected to be a thrilling racing extravaganza. For his owner, trainer, jockey and fans, War Pass just once again proved why he is a unique and very special horse. And War Pass won’t have to worry when the time comes for retirement, as he is already set to go to stud at the well known Lane’s End Farm once he has completed his racing career.