War of Will lets 'talent do the talking' on Kentucky Derby trail

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 early Saturday morning did not deter assistant David Carroll from working the barn's top 2019 Kentucky Derby hopefuls.

Owned by Gary Barber, two-time graded stakes winner War of Will went out to the main track at 5:45 a.m. to work a half mile in company with Dynamic Force. The son of War Front completed his four-furlong breeze in :50.20 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 (G2) and has him on target for the March 23 Louisiana Derby (G2). 

“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.”

In addition to taking the Risen Star Stakes, War of Will also won the Lecomte Stakes (G3) in January and is atop the Kentucky Derby leaderboard with 60 qualifying points. A win in the Louisiana Derby would give hime a sweep of all three Fair Grounds' qualifiers most recently accomplished by Girvin in 2017.

Grade 1-placed on turf as a 2-year-old, War of Will has won all three of his starts on the main track and has shown versatility when racing over different conditions having won over sloppy and fast dirt 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.”

Shortly after War of Will worked, Carroll sent out Dream Maker to record a half-mile work in preparation for next Saturday's Tampa Bay Derby (G2).

Guided by regular rider Florent Geroux, the John Oxley homebred son of Tapit recorded his move in :49.00, which was his second serious work since an 8½-length allowance victory over the Fair Grounds main track on February 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 who was 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.