War of Will, Dream Maker Work at Fair Grounds

Rain or shine, business typically goes on as planned at Mark Casse's stable at Fair Grounds Race Course & Slots, so a sealed and muddy main track the morning of March 2 did not deter assistant David Carroll from working two of the stable's prized 3-year-olds.

Owned by Gary Barber, two-time graded winner War of Will worked a half-mile on the main track in company with Dynamic Force and completed his four-furlong breeze in :50 1/5 with Declan Carroll aboard. The move was the 3-year-old son of War Front 's first breeze since a victory in the Risen Star Stakes presented by Lamarque Ford (G2), and he remains on target for the $1 million Twinspires.com Louisiana Derby (G2) March 23.

"We had a sealed racetrack this morning, but it gives you such confidence because it's a superior surface," Carroll said. "It has a great bottom on it, so we were very comfortable breezing today. War of Will went beautifully. Just finished up the last eighth and galloped out on his own steam. We never did ask him for anything today—it was just nice to see him back stretching his legs. He looked as great as ever and cooled out beautifully."

War of Will also won the Lecomte Stakes (G3) in January and is atop the Road to the Kentucky Derby leaderboard with 60 qualifying points. A win in the Louisiana Derby would give him a clean sweep of all three Fair Grounds qualifiers, a feat accomplished by International Star (2015), Friesan Fire  (2009), and Dixieland Heat (1993). The Louisiana Derby awards points on a 100-40-20-10 scale. Grade 1-placed on turf as a 2-year-old, War of Will has won all three of his starts on the main track over sloppy and fast surfaces.

"I don't think he has to improve a whole lot at this stage," Carroll said. "We know that he's very talented, and we're just going to keep him happy and healthy, which are the two most important things. If he's happy and healthy, then we'll let his talent do the talking."

Purchased from the Arqana Breeze Up Sale in Deauville, France, War of Will is out of the Sadler's Wells broodmare Visions of Clarity, who is a half sister to 1997 Breeders' Cup Mile (G1T) winner Spinning World. Visions of Clarity also produced 2010 Boylesports.com Vincent O'Brien National Stakes (G1) victor Pathfork. Other members of his family include grade 1 turf winners Good Journey and Denon.

Shortly after War of Will worked, Carroll sent out Dream Maker to record a half-mile work in preparation for the $400,000 Lambholm South Tampa Bay Derby (G2) March 9.

Guided by regular rider Florent Geroux, John Oxley's homebred son of Tapit  recorded his move in :49 flat, his second serious work since an 8 1/2-length allowance victory over the Fair Grounds main track Feb. 9.

"Dream Maker was very good this morning—just wanted to do a bit more with him," Carroll said. "He runs next week, so we wanted to stretch his legs the last eighth. He finished up beautifully; it was a typical gallop out for him. He's in a great place, so hopefully he can take his game on to Tampa."

Dream Maker is a full brother to Dream Dancing, a grade 1 winner on turf. Both are out of the Monarchos broodmare To Dream About, whose dam is 1999 champion older mare Beautiful Pleasure.

Carroll praised Fair Grounds for having such a quality training surface for young horses in the winter.

"The surface has been this way for years, and it's why there are so many horses that come out of here and do so well throughout the year," Carroll said. "It's been proven year after year. It has great consistency to it, which is the main thing. Horses seem to thrive on it. Always been comfortable breezing on it when it's an off track. This place and Churchill are very similar—both are superior racetracks."