Running in the Preakness Stakes was not originally on Mark Casse's Radar for Sandman. The bullish energy of the Arkansas Derby winner and the removal of several crucial competitors from the Kentucky Derby presented by Woodford Reserve caused the Hall of Fame-Trainer to analyze again whether he should run in Pimlico in the second jewel on May 17th or not.
“Immediately after I said we weren't running, I started analyzing,” said Casse. “(Churchill Downs Assistant Trainer) All Hardy, who has been with me for 15 years and knows that (Sandman) says well:” Mark, he is better than before the derby. “
Casse reports that Sandman from his seventh effort in the Kentucky Derby Joyful, eaten well and jumped around. All the signs for him that he will be ready to rest for two weeks.
Casse had success during a brief break. The classic Empire returned from the derby to lead a second place prisoner in Preakness 2017, while the war from Will bounced off the derby in 2019 to win the prevention. In addition, Cass trained Shamrock Rose on the victories in Raven Run Stakes and Breederers' Filly and Mare Sprint. Triumph against men in the Fourtardave handicap on the Saratoga racing route in 2019.
“We were quite lucky back in a few weeks,” said Casse. “It doesn't shy away from me at all.”
What could potentially frighten Casses is the forecast for Baltimore. With rain for every day this week it could lead to a sloppy Pimlico surface on May 17th, just like Sandman in Churchill Downs two weeks earlier. On this route, Casse felt that Tapit's son never had the chance to run his best race because he was in front of the field near the back area.
“There is nothing that a horse can prepare that 19 horses throw mud on him,” said Casse. “People don't know, but the more you are back, the more complex it will be. If you can stay very close, the mud doesn't have enough time to really influence.
Cosse said a sloppy route on race day was again a problem in view of the derby loss, without knowing whether Sandman did not like the mud in general or whether he would run it better without being thrown by so much setback.
“This is the most frustrating thing of everyone as a horse trainer,” said Casse. “You work every day in your whole life, develop these horses and then you are hit with uncertainty. Every coach – at least this coach – if he runs in a race, he can accept the results. You only want a fair shot. If our horse is not good enough, it is simply not good enough.”
One thing that is unthreatening is the field against which it will run. Among them is the winner of the Santa Anita Derby and the second journalism of Kentucky Derby. Casse said he saw journalism among the four top horses in the 3-year division; The others are the sovereignty of Kentucky Derby winner, Baeza in third place, and possibly Wood Memorial Stakes, which are presented by Rodriguez, Casino winner of the resort, if he gets the chance to prove himself after a foot injury.
“I (Sandman) put there, but that's the four,” said Casse. “These are the boys you have to hit them when you go to race.”
Rodriguez was considered for the prevention after scratching the derby. Ultimately, his foot had not recovered in time to get in, and his waste from the race on May 9th was the event, which ultimately brought Casse to his announcement on May 10 that Sandman would enter the field.
“I always said that they cannot stay away from a horse because many things can happen,” said Casse. “I do not say that there are no other horses (in the prevention) that can win, but they still have to prove that they belong to this level. For me, we go with a horse (journalism) that is the head of the class compared to the four.”
But Casse will have one at the beginning of Sandman's favor for the prevention that he did not have in the derby.
Sandman is named after the Metallica song “Enter Sandman”. Casse had the opportunity to meet Metallicas James Hetfield during the derby week and got a signed hat for a friend of his lives in Ocala, Fla.
“He is a huge fan, so I got him a signed hat and gave him,” said Casse. “He sent me a few metallica underwear and I'll wear it.
“Nothing will be unexpected.”
