Nitrogen Returns to Worktab as Casse Maps Out Locust Grove Start; Sandman Also Training Toward Return
SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. — Grade 1 winner Nitrogen returned to the worktab Wednesday at Saratoga, while stablemate Sandman continued preparations for his return to competition.
Nitrogen, who finished second to Horse of the Year Sovereignty in the Grade 1 Whitney Stakes on Aug. 8, worked a half-mile in 50.40 seconds Wednesday morning, according to Daily Racing Form clocker Donald Harris. She completed her opening quarter-mile in 26 seconds.
Trainer Mark Casse said he was satisfied with the work while explaining why Nitrogen was allowed to begin the drill at a controlled pace.
“Nitrogen went a little slow early and I was afraid to tell him to hit the gas pedal because if you do that,” she’d go too fast, Casse said.
Nitrogen is scheduled to make her next start in the Grade 2, $400,000 Locust Grove Stakes at Churchill Downs on Sept. 12.
The Locust Grove will mark her return following a strong performance in the Whitney. Prior to that race, Nitrogen dominated the Grade 1 Ogden Phipps, winning by 12 3/4 lengths.
Sandman Continues Comeback
Sandman also worked a half-mile Wednesday, covering the distance in 48.40 seconds. Harris recorded his opening quarter in 24 seconds.
The Grade 1 Arkansas Derby winner has not raced since finishing last in the Grade 3 Razorback at Oaklawn in February. A hip injury was diagnosed following that race and kept him away from competition.
Sandman had already recorded five workouts at Casse’s training center in Ocala before moving to Saratoga for Wednesday’s breeze.
Casse said the next step will be finding an allowance race for Sandman, with a possible start at Belmont Park this fall.
“He’s got a lot of works in and he’s been training well,” Casse said.
Casse was also pleased with Sandman’s Wednesday effort.
“Sandman went real good, he did it very easy, he looked great,” Casse said.
With Nitrogen pointed toward the Locust Grove and Sandman progressing toward an allowance return, both horses remain active on Casse’s Saratoga worktab as their respective comeback plans take shape.
