2025.03.19 Oaklawn Racing Updates

Racing Press Release
Compiled by Robert Yates

Wednesday, March 19, 2025

Sandman took another step toward the $1.5 million Arkansas Derby (G1) with a five-furlong workout on a cloudy, windy Wednesday morning at Oaklawn for dual Hall of Fame trainer Mark Casse. Sandman breezed during the special workers-only session immediately after the first surface renovation break under two-time Oaklawn leading rider Cristian Torres.

Oaklawn lead clocker Jim Hamilton caught Sandman in splits of :13.20 for his opening eighth of a mile, :23.60 for a quarter-mile, :39.20 for 3 furlongs and 1:03.20 for 5 furlongs. After covering his last quarter-mile in :24, Sandman galloped out six furlongs in 1:15.60. The track was fast.

Casse was in Florida Wednesday morning, but said he watched the workout on video and then talked with Torres and Caden Arthur, who oversees the trainer’s Oaklawn division.

“Worked good,” Casse said. “I guess there’s a fairly significant headwind (in the stretch), which makes it a little more difficult for the rider to know exactly how fast they’re going. But Cristian said he worked well. He said he actually thought he was going faster than what he was, but he finished nice and galloped out strong.”

Although Torres has ridden Sandman in his three Oaklawn starts and regularly worked the Tapit colt, Jose Ortiz will have the mount in the March 29 Arkansas Derby, Casse said. Ortiz rode Sandman twice last year.

“He’s actually worked him a bunch,” Casse said. “Jose was extremely high on him early on in his career, but it was sprinting.”

Torres rode Sandman to an allowance victory Dec. 13 at Oaklawn, a runner-up finish in the $1 million Southwest Stakes (G3) Jan. 25 and a third-place finish in the $1.25 million Rebel Stakes (G2) Feb. 23. The Southwest and Rebel were Oaklawn’s second and third Kentucky Derby qualifying races, respectively.

The Arkansas Derby will award 200 total points (100-50-25-15-10, respectively) to its top five finishers toward starting eligibility for the Kentucky Derby. Sandman ranks 13th on the Kentucky Derby leaderboard with 29 points. The race is limited to 20 starters.

Entries will be accepted and post positions drawn Sunday for the Arkansas Derby.

Free Like a Girl Update

Free Like a Girl is now based at Evangeline Downs, but the all-time Louisiana-bred money winner could return to Oaklawn for the $1.25 million Apple Blossom Handicap (G1) April 12, co-owner/trainer Chasey Deville Pomier said Tuesday afternoon.

In her last start, Free Like a Girl finished second to reigning Horse of the Year Thorpedo Anna in the $400,000 Azeri Stakes (G2) March 8. The Azeri was Oaklawn’s final major prep for the Apple Blossom, among the country’s marquee two-turn events for older fillies and mares.

“There’s a couple of spots we’re looking at,” Deville Pomier said. “The goal is the Apple Blossom, but we’re just going to look at the nominations and see where we can fit.”

Free Like a Girl was beaten 3 ½ lengths by Thorpedo Anna, who was making her first start since winning the $2 million Breeders’ Cup Distaff (G1) Nov. 2 at Del Mar. Thorpedo Anna was a wire-to-wire winner of the Azeri, pulling away in the stretch after Free Like a Girl nearly drew even on the outside turning for home.

“I thought she ran a great race,” Deville Pomier said. “I’m proud of her.”

The Azeri was the fifth career Oaklawn start for Free Like a Girl, who was an allowance winner last season in Hot Springs before finishing third in the Apple Blossom. She also finished second, beaten a head, in the $250,000 Bayakoa Stakes (G2) at Feb. 8 at Oaklawn.

“We’ll see,” Deville Pomier said about the Apple Blossom. “I’m not sure yet. We’re just trying to keep our options open and just make sure she’s in the best spot for her. But I thought she ran great over there. She loves that track.”

Free Like a Girl has a 21-13-6 record from 49 lifetime starts and earnings of $2,253,438. She is a 19-time stakes winner. Free Like a Girl also finished fourth behind future Kentucky Oaks winner Secret Oath in the $300,000 Honeybee Stakes (G3) in 2022 at Oaklawn. Free Like a Girl is a 6-year-old daughter of El Deal.

Thorpedo Anna is scheduled to make her next start in the Apple Blossom, trainer Kenny McPeek said.

Finish Lines

Racing resumes Friday at Oaklawn. First post is 12:30 p.m. (Central). … Booth received a preliminary Beyer Speed Figure of 107, a career high, for a front-running 2 ¼-length victory in the six-furlong $250,000 Whitmore Stakes (G3) Saturday … Kinetic is the 8-5 program favorite for Oaklawn’s nine-furlong $500,000 Essex Handicap (G3) for older horses Saturday. The Essex is a major local prep for the April l19 $1.25 million Oaklawn Handicap (G2). … Quality Chic is pointing for the inaugural $145,000 American Pharoah Overnight Stakes for older horses at 1 1/16 miles March 29 at Oaklawn, trainer Jason Cook said last Sunday. Quality Chic hasn’t started since finishing second, beaten a half-length, in the $175,000 Tinsel Stakes for older horses Jan. 5.