Kentucky Derby 2025: Sandman, Coal Battle work in different styles

LOUISVILLE, Ky. - Sandman and Coal Battle, first and third, respectively, in the Arkansas Derby, both turned in maintenance moves toward the Kentucky Derby on a brisk and windy Tuesday morning at Churchill Downs.

Working on a fast track at about 7:15 a.m., just after the first renovation break, Sandman was credited with a half-mile in 49.60 seconds by the Churchill Downs clockers.

"We just wanted him to stretch his legs," said assistant trainer Allen Hardy, who oversaw the work.

Trainer Mark Casse is in Florida for this week's Ocala Breeders' Sales Co.'s spring 2-year-olds in training sale, as well as for another Senate hearing Tuesday on the state’s racetrack decoupling bill.

Sandman got his first quarter-mile in 26.20 before picking it up through to the wire. He galloped out five furlongs in 1:01.80.

"He started out very gradually and . . . the longer he went, the better he seemed to get," Hardy said. "That's kind of him - the more distance, the better."

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This was Sandman’s first work since arriving at Churchill after his Arkansas Derby victory on March 29. Coal Battle turned in his second local work. After going a half-mile on April 8, he worked five furlongs in 1:01.20 on Tuesday.

Coal Battle was keen galloping around the clubhouse turn and to the pole before settling into a more steady gallop through the work and galloping out.

"He was pretty keen this morning," said assistant trainer Bethany Taylor, who was aboard for the work. "He had some horses in front of him that he could clock and chase . . . he was pretty aggressive getting to the pole this morning, and then he leveled off and worked nicely. I kind of shook the reins at him into the stretch when he switched leads to see if he had anything more in there, and he did."

Trainer Lonnie Briley is also attending the OBS April sale this week.

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