Mark Casse's GI Kentucky Derby hopefuls MGSW War of Will (War Front) and 'TDN Rising Star' Dream Maker (Tapit) both recorded half-mile breezes at Fair Grounds Saturday morning. War of Will was up first, breezing four panels in :50.20 (63/87) under Declan Carroll in company with Dynamic Force (Medaglia d'Oro), in preparation for the GII Louisiana Derby Mar. 23.
“We had a sealed racetrack this morning but it gives you such confidence because it's a superior surface,” Casse's assistant David 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 captured both the Jan. 19 GIII Lecomte S. and the Feb. 16 GII Risen Star S., putting him at the top of the Kentucky Derby leaderboard by points.
“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.”
Dream Maker, who is being pointed to the Mar. 9 GII Tampa Bay Derby, recorded a half-mile work in :49 flat under regular rider Florent Geroux.
“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.”
A debut winner at Churchill Downs June 7, Dream Maker finished fifth in Saratoga's GI Hopeful S. Sept. 3 and only beat one home when 12th in Keeneland's GI Claiborne Breeders' Futurity S. Oct. 6. However, he kicked off his sophomore campaign in style with a dominant 8 1/2-length score in a Fair Grounds optional claimer going 1 1/16 miles Feb. 9.
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