Kentucky Derby Update: Kentucky Derby Contenders Coal Battle, Sandman Tune Up for First Saturday in May

Apr 15, 2025

On a crisp Tuesday morning at Churchill Downs, Kentucky Derby 151 contenders Coal Battle (five furlongs, 1:01.20) and Sandman (four furlongs, :49.60) turned in published workouts as the countdown to the first Saturday in May begins to intensify.

Sandman, winner of the Arkansas Derby (Grade I) for D.J. Stable, St. Elias Stable, West Point Thoroughbreds and CJ Stables, breezed at 7:15 a.m. (all time Eastern) with trainer Mark Casse’s longtime exercise rider Froylan Garcia in the irons. The son of Tapit began his work with composed eighth-mile splits of :13.60 and :26.40. After completing a half-mile, Sandman galloped out five furlongs in 1:01.80 and was up six furlongs in 1:15, according to Churchill Downs clocker John Nichols.

“It looked perfect,” Casse said from his Ocala, Fla. base. “I asked the rider to go between 49 and 50 seconds and he did just that.”

Casse’s local assistant, Allen Hardy, was on-site for the workout.

“That’s Froy for you – always doing exactly what you ask,” Hardy said. “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.”

Shortly after Sandman completed his move, Norman Stables’ Coal Battle breezed under assistant trainer Bethany Taylor. The duo worked eighth-mile splits of :12.20, :23.80 and :36.40, according to Churchill Downs clocker Adam Wallace.

In total, 10 Kentucky Derby contenders within the Top 20 on the Road to the Kentucky Derby leaderboard are currently stabled at Churchill Downs: Admire Daytona (JPN), Burnham Square, Coal Battle, East Avenue, Final Gambit, Flying Mohawk, Publisher, Sandman, Sovereignty and Tiztastic.

Trainer Brad Cox reported that Florida Derby (GI) winner Tappan Street will have one more workout at Payson Park in South Florida before vanning to Churchill Downs for his final move beneath the Twin Spires.

Training hours at Churchill Downs remain 5:30-10 a.m. with renovation breaks from 6:45-7:15 a.m. and 8:30-9 a.m. Beginning Friday, training will shift to 5:15-10 a.m., with a special 7:15-7:30 a.m. window designated exclusively for Kentucky Derby and Oaks contenders.