Sandman's likely next start on turf, in Nashville Derby, Casse says

SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. - It looks like Sandman will enter the world of turf racing for his next start.

Sandman, the winner of the Arkansas Derby who ran in two legs of the Triple Crown, worked a half-mile in 49.75 seconds over the Oklahoma turf course on Sunday morning. Trainer Mark Casse said he was pleased enough with the move that he will likely point the son of Tapit to the Grade 3, $3.5 million Nashville Derby at 1 5/16 miles on Aug. 30 at Kentucky Downs.

“Right now, that’s what I have in mind,” Casse said immediately after the move.

Jose Ortiz, who is Sandman’s regular rider, worked the colt on the turf, subbing for regular exercise rider Reynaldo Dumont, who called in sick on Sunday.

Working by himself, Sandman went in fractions of 12.64 seconds and 25.21 for the quarter and though Sandman was trying to get out around the turn - he had his head cocked sideways - he finished his final quarter in 24.54 seconds while going straight. Sandman galloped out five furlongs in 1:02.14.

“I thought he went good, he carries his head funny,” Casse said. “He struggled a little bit with the sharper turn and then when Jose let him stick his head out, he finished nicely and then he ran off afterwards.”

Ortiz said that the tighter turns of the turf course played a role in Sandman attempting to get out.

“He was kind of drifting out a little bit on the turn, but he’s a big horse and those turns are very tight there,” Ortiz said. “In the stretch, he leveled off nicely. I was very happy with him.”

Sandman is a half-brother to She Can’t Sing, who won three races from 18 starts on turf including two listed stakes.

“He likes it, you could see he was happy,” Casse said. “The thing about him is he runs like a turf horse because if you ask him to go he spins his wheels a little. He had a half-sister that did really well on the turf. These Tapits can do anything.”

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