Arkansas Derby (G1) hero Sandman got back to serious business at Churchill Downs on Tuesday with a half-mile work in 49.60. He is scheduled for one more major drill ahead of the Kentucky Derby (G1) on May 3.
“It looked perfect,” Hall of Fame trainer Mark Casse said. “I asked the rider to go between 49 and 50 seconds and he did just that.”
Under exercise rider Froylan Garcia, the son of Tapit covered an initial furlong 13.60 and quarter-mile in :26.40. After completing a half-mile, he galloped out five furlongs in 1:01.80 and six furlongs in 1:15.
“That’s Froy for you – always doing exactly what you ask,” said Casse’s assistant trainer Allen Hardy. “He’s a great horseman and rider.
“I think we saw in the Arkansas Derby that when Sandman got to stretch his legs going further in distance, it was much better. We’re going to do our best to keep him happy and healthy while enjoying the ride he’s taking us on.”
