GI Arkansas Derby hero Sandman (Tapit) completed his final work for Kentucky Derby 151 on a clear Wednesday morning at Churchill Downs, while Journalism (Curlin) and 'TDN Rising Star' Rodriguez (Authentic) made their first appearances after shipping in from California on Tuesday afternoon.
Sandman, who was a $1.2-million OBS March buy a year ago, worked five furlongs under Froylan Garcia for trainer Mark Casse. The 3-year-old went easy as he produced fractions of :13.60, :26.20, :38, 1:02.40 and out six furlongs in 1:15.60, according to Churchill Downs clocker John Nichols.
“On a scale of 1 to 10 this gets a 10,” Casse said. “That was his last work before the Derby. I think he grows every time I look at him. He is more than 16 hands, more than 16-3.”
“He is doing it with ease.” K. Kilroy
Sandman puts in a maintenance 5 furlong breeze in 1:02.2 this morning under the TwinSpires for trainer Mark Casse. pic.twitter.com/rBkBE0CKzn
— TwinSpires Racing 🏇 (@TwinSpires) April 23, 2025
The winner of the GI Santa Anita Derby, Journalism hit the track with Marc Witkowski aboard. The Michael McCarthy trainee came on during the 7:15 a.m. to 7:30 a.m ET training window and galloped a mile and an eighth.
“It looked like he got over the track nicely,” McCarthy said.
The conditioner said any gate or paddock schooling would be determined as the week progressed along with when his final work would take place before the Derby.
“I'm handicapping the weather,” he said.
Rain is in the forecast for Friday with a lesser chance of precipitation Saturday.
As for the gate to wire winner of the GII Wood Memorial Stakes, Rodriguez galloped nearly 1 1/2 miles for trainer Bob Baffert.
Journalism's first spin around @ChurchillDowns! ✍️ pic.twitter.com/9q5gfJnhgw
— Kentucky Derby (@KentuckyDerby) April 23, 2025
Not a subscriber? Click here to sign up for the daily PDF or alerts.
