Off impressive win, Sandman likely for Southwest Stakes

Sandman will begin preparations for the first graded race in Oaklawn Park’s series for 3-year-olds after closing out his initial season of racing with an impressive allowance win over the local surface on Dec. 13.

Sandman bounded to a 1 3/4-length victory over first-level allowance foes, earning a career-high Beyer Speed Figure of 89.

It was a breakout performance, and his target now is the Grade 3, $1 million Southwest Stakes on Jan. 25, according to trainer Mark Casse.

“I’ve kept waiting for the Sandman that we’ve seen train kind of run,” Casse said. “You know, I’ve come away from every race wanting more, but this race, I felt satisfied and thought it was a good, good race. Hopefully, he can build from that and if he does, it could make him a possible [Kentucky] Derby horse down the road.”

Sandman won his second race from five starts. He handled a number of different variables in the race, which was delayed when a horse next to him acted up in the starting gate. Sandman maintained his composure prior to the start and from there settled in behind horses while racing along the rail. He later angled outside of his foes and eventually went on to win the one-mile race that ended at the sixteenth pole in 1:38.71.

“Right now, if everything goes as planned, he’ll come back in the Southwest,” Casse said.

The 1 1/16-mile race carries points for the Kentucky Derby.

Sandman, who brought $1.2 million at auction, is a son of Tapit.

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