On Friday morning, Sandman and four other Kentucky Derby hopefuls clocked impressive workouts as they prepare for upcoming races. Sandman, a talented colt trained by Mark Casse, is gearing up for the Grade 3 $1 million Southwest Stakes on January 25 at Oaklawn Park. Here’s everything you need to know about his performance and those of other Derby contenders.
Sandman’s Friday Morning Workout
Sandman completed a strong half-mile workout in 48 seconds at Oaklawn Park under jockey Cristian Torres. This time was the third fastest among 141 horses working the distance that day. The 3-year-old Tapit colt showed his competitive spirit during the workout, briefly engaging with another horse before finishing strongly.
“He’s a racehorse. He likes competition,” Torres said. “Once we hit the quarter pole, he relaxed and finished up well. He did everything we wanted to see.”
This workout was Sandman’s first since December 31, as severe winter weather in early January disrupted Oaklawn’s training schedule. Despite missing a few training days, Torres expressed confidence in Sandman’s fitness, calling him “a very athletic horse.”
Sandman’s Racing Record
Sandman ended his 2-year-old season with a decisive allowance win at Oaklawn on December 13, earning a career-best Equibase Speed Rating of 97. His record includes:
- Maiden Victory: Broke his maiden at Saratoga in August.
- Street Sense Stakes: Finished third in this Grade 3 race at Churchill Downs in October.
- Allowance Win: Dominated a one-mile race at Oaklawn in December.
Trainer Mark Casse and his team are optimistic as Sandman prepares for his 3-year-old debut in the Southwest Stakes, which serves as a Kentucky Derby qualifying race.
Other Kentucky Derby Hopefuls in Action
Sandman wasn’t the only Derby hopeful on the workout tab Friday. Four other colts recorded notable training performances:
- East Avenue (Medaglia d’Oro)
- Worked five furlongs in 59.4 seconds at Fair Grounds, the fastest of 44 works at the distance.
- A Grade 1 winner, East Avenue is looking to rebound after a ninth-place finish in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile.
- American Promise (Justify)
- Covered five furlongs in 1:02.2 at Oaklawn, ranking 23rd out of 63 works.
- Won a maiden race at 1 1/16 miles in December.
- Smoken Wicked (Bobby’s Wicked One)
- Breezed three furlongs in 38.2 seconds at Fair Grounds in his first work since winning the Louisiana Futurity.
- Cornucopian (Into Mischief)
- Worked four furlongs in 49.8 seconds at Santa Anita. The Bob Baffert trainee is yet to debut.
The Road Ahead
These workouts are critical as trainers prepare their horses for upcoming Derby prep races. For Sandman, the Southwest Stakes offers a chance to earn valuable points toward qualifying for the 2025 Kentucky Derby. With strong competition and an exciting season ahead, fans and trainers alike will be closely following these talented colts.
Sandman’s impressive workout and competitive edge position him as a strong contender for the Southwest Stakes and beyond. While winter weather caused training interruptions, his fitness and athleticism remain promising. As the Kentucky Derby trail heats up, expect more thrilling performances from Sandman and other hopefuls working toward their shot at Churchill Downs.