By Mike Kane
SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. — Before Sandman (Tapit) had reached the post-race test barn following his victory in the opener at Saratoga Race Course Saturday, trainer Mark Casse was dealing with the “what's next” question.
Casse did not have the answer to the happy task presented by Sandman's 1 3/4-length victory over Innovator (Authentic) in the seven-furlong $100,000 maiden special weight race for 2-year-olds.
“I've got to figure out the best path to the Breeders' Cup,” Casse said. “I think he's that kind of horse.”
Under jockey Dylan Davis, Sandman stalked the early pace of :22.54 and :45.83 set by Innovator, moved into a contending position on the turn and made his winning move along the inside between the quarter pole and the eighth pole. Sandman reached the wire in 1:23.65 and paid $6.10 as the 2-1 second choice in the field of eight.
Sandman was bred by the late Robert Lothenbach, the breeder-owner who died unexpectedly on Nov. 14 at the age of 64. The dispersal of his 2-year-olds was held as part of the OBS March sale and the partnership of D.J. Stable, St. Elias Stable, West Point Thoroughbreds and CJ Stable acquired the colt for $1.2 million. Since the Lothenbach 2-year-olds were not being prepared for an in-training sale, they galloped instead of breezing before going into the ring.
Casse said he took part in the selection of the colt.
“I looked at him, OK'd him, and left,” he said. “I always leave the bidding to the others.”
Casse chuckled as he described Sandman after the race.
“He's beautiful,” Casse said. “Gary Barber was here this morning, and he goes, 'who's that?' “I told him and he goes, 'he's beautiful.' I said, 'Yeah, that's what $1.2 million will get you.”
Terry Finley | Sarah Andrew
However, Casse said the gray has more than just good looks in his portfolio of assets.
“Since Day 1, he always showed that he was kind of head of the class,” Casse said. Sandman has been a good student who Casse said handles new things easily.
“Every time I would throw something at him, he says, 'I want more.'”
West Point CEO Terry Finley said the decision to purchase Sandman in partnership made came together smoothly on a combo of pedigree and appearance.
“He's the most expensive horse in the history of the 2-year-old sales that didn't breeze,” Finley said with a smile. “He's just a beautiful horse. I knew the consigner. He was very straightforward.”
The Lothenbach dispersal presented a different type of opportunity for buyers.
“All the horses were good,” Finley said. “They were clean. They weren't honed on. We just felt very good at the sale. I happened to take a call from Vinny [Viola, owner of St. Elias], and we were just comparing notes. He said, 'What about that big, beautiful Tapit that didn't breeze?' He was like, 'let's do it.' So it was the Greens, St. Elias and West Point that got together. All good. Good karma.”
Finley said that Sandman got involved in a speed duel with a stablemate in his debut at Churchill Downs on June 27 and ended up fifth of seven.
“We thought this would be a good spot,” Finley said. “And I know Mark had a lot of confidence the last two weeks with him.”
Enter SANDMAN, the 2YO son of @Gainesway stallion Tapit, who breaks his maiden in the first race with @DavisJockey up for trainer @markecasse. pic.twitter.com/6Az1PqplFF
— NYRA (🎪) (@TheNYRA) August 10, 2024
1st-Saratoga, $100,000, Msw, 8-10, 2yo, 7f, 1:23.62, ft, 1 3/4 lengths.
SANDMAN (c, 2, Tapit–Distorted Music, by Distorted Humor) debuted fifth as the favorite going six furlongs at Churchill Downs June 27 in his first start since bringing $1.2m at OBS March for the partnership including West Point Thoroughbreds. Now trying seven furlongs and favored once more at 2-1, the grey took his time from mid pack, rating nicely in fourth as Innovator (Authentic) paced the field through fractions of :22.54 and :45.83. Slipping through along the rail, he powered up to engage that leader off the turn and pulled away inside the final sixteenth to win nicely by 1 3/4 lengths.
Distorted Music, purchased for $375,000 earlier this year at FTKFEB from the Lothenbach Stables dispersment, has already produced this runner's half-sister in She Can't Sing (Bernardini), GSW, $883,558 who sold at the same sale from the same dispersment for $1.1m to Hill 'n' Dale. The dam is a half to GSP Zinzay (Smart Strike) who produced SW/GISP Moon Over Miami (Malibu Moon). The family also includes MGISW Music Note (A.P. Indy), the dam of G1 Dubai World Cup hero Mystic Guide (Ghostzapper). Distorted Music's yaerling Into Mischief colt, who first sold at the dispersment for $650,000, brought $1,000,000 from M.V. Magnier and White Birch Farm at last week's Fasig-Tipton Saratoga Sale. Sales History: $1,200,000 2yo '24 OBSMAR. Lifetime Record: 2-1-0-0, $58,600.Click for the Equibase.com chart or VIDEO, sponsored by FanDuel TV.
O-D. J. Stable LLC, St. Elias Stable, West Point Thoroughbreds and CJ Stables; B-Lothenbach Stables Inc (KY); T-Mark E. Casse.
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