Ky. Derby works: Sandman, Coal Battle drill at Churchill

On a crisp Tuesday morning at Churchill Downs, two Kentucky Derby 2025 contenders turned in published workouts, with Coal Battle going five furlongs in 1:01.20, and Sandman going four furlongs in 49.60 seconds.

Sandman, winner of the Grade 1 Arkansas Derby, breezed at 7:15 a.m. EDT 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 seconds. 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, 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.

Trained by Lonnie Briley, Coal Battle had four straight wins, including the Rebel (G2), before finishing third in the Arkansas Derby (G1).

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

Trainer Brad Cox reported that Florida Derby (G1) 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.

Built, who is at no. 21 on the leaderboard, worked four furlongs in 49.8 seconds at Churchill Downs on Tuesday morning. In his last start he placed fifth in the Louisiana Derby (G2) for trainer Wayne Catalano.

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 7:15-7:30 a.m. window designated exclusively for Kentucky Derby and Oaks contenders.