Dream Maker, War of Will drill for stakes engagements

Dream Maker had his final work on Saturday at Fair Grounds for the Tampa Bay Derby, while stablemate War of Will had his first work for the Louisiana Derby.

War of Will, winner of the Lecomte and Risen Star stakes at this meet and the near-certain Louisiana Derby favorite, was merely in maintenance mode, but Dream Maker worked in company, putting the finishing touches on his preparation for the March 9 Tampa Bay Derby. Dream Maker, with Florent Geroux up, was timed in 49 seconds for a half-mile over a track rated good.

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“We let him quicken up the last eighth and gallop out around the turn,” said David Carroll, Fair Grounds assistant to trainer Mark Casse. “I was a little concerned since it was foggy and there was so much water, but overall you always feel so comfortable with this surface. I just loved the energy level he showed. When you really let him go and gallop out, he does want to drift out a little when he’s doing that, but he’s done it all the time and there’s no real reason for it.”

Dream Maker was to depart Fair Grounds late Tuesday and arrive at Tampa Bay Downs the following day. “We’ll let him settle in, school in the paddock, and get a feel for the place,” said Carroll.

War of Will is scheduled to work twice more before racing March 23 in the $1 million Louisiana Derby.