Northern Afleet’s multi-millionaire War Story chalked up his first stakes win of 2018 with a 5 3/4-length tally in the $100,000 Challenger S. March 10 at Tampa Bay Downs.

After facing 2017 Horse of the Year Gun Runner in his last four starts, War Story easily outclassed his foes in Saturday’s 1 1/16-mile contest. Going along easily in third the first half of the race, he assumed command on the far turn and drew off in the stretch to get the distance in 1:43.43 [WATCH RACE].

In winning for the first time since taking the Brooklyn (G2) last summer, War Story improved his record to 26-6-3-3 with career earnings of $2,294,305. He is Northern Afleet’s third all-time leading earner, behind only champions World Approval and Afleet Alex.

Six-year-old War Story is owned by Imaginary Stables and Glenn Ellis. Bred by Jack Swain III, War Story is a half-brother to 2016 Fair Ground Oaks (G2) winner Land Over Sea.