West Point Thoroughbreds will cover quite a few bases this Labor Day weekend with entries in major stakes at Kentucky Downs, Del Mar and Saratoga.

In the richest race in the 3-year-old division besides the Run for the Roses, Sandman will make his turf debut for Mark Casse in Saturday’s $3.5-million Nashville Derby at Kentucky Downs.

A Grade 1 winner on the dirt in the Arkansas Derby this spring, Sandman will switch to the weeds with regular jockey Jose Ortiz, who scored 4 wins on the opening card Thursday at the all-grass meet.

Coverage of the Nashville Derby will air live on NBC’s network channel from 4 to 6 Eastern. 

On the West Coast, 4-year-old Indispensable will tackle the Grade 1 Pacific Classic on Saturday, shooting for trainer John Sadler’s fifth victory since 2018 in the signature event at Del Mar. John will also saddle recent Del Mar winner Final Boss late Saturday for a Breeders’ Cup “Win and You’re In” chance in the Grade 2 Del Mar Handicap going a mile and three-eighths on the turf.

And on the 2-year-old front, TDN Rising Star Curtain Call will step up in Monday’s Grade 1 Hopeful Stakes at Saratoga for trainer Mark Casse. Jose Ortiz will be there to ride him, as he did in Curtain Call’s 8 1/2-length romp on July 12 at the Spa.

Kentucky Downs Story on Sandman

NYRA Preview for the Hopeful Stakes with Mark Casse’s Comments on Curtain Call