Sandman and Elite Turf Competitors Converge at Kentucky Downs for $3.5M Nashville Derby

The Nashville Derby at Kentucky Downs is shaping up to be one of the most competitive grass races in American racing this year. Scheduled for August 30, this Grade III event has attracted a formidable lineup of thoroughbreds, with prize money totaling $3.5 million making it the richest turf race in the country outside the Breeders’ Cup. The mile and five-sixteenths contest will be run over the distinctive Franklin, Kentucky grass surface.

A Resurgent Venue Raises the Stakes

Kentucky Downs has undergone a dramatic transformation in recent years. The infusion of gaming revenue has funded substantial facility upgrades and established a robust seven-day racing program. The track now offers the highest per-race purses to horsemen across North America. Co-managing partner Ron Winchell explains the vision: “Our goal has been to build a destination event that trainers and owners want to point toward. While we recognize the historic significance of the Kentucky Derby, the substantial purse at Kentucky Downs generates considerable attention in racing circles. We’re creating meaningful opportunities for three-year-old runners.”

Top Contenders Ready for Competition

The field reflects the caliber of competition the increased purse has attracted. Sandman, winner of the Arkansas Derby, will make his first grass start in the Nashville Derby under trainer Mark Casse. Despite a seventh-place finish in the Kentucky Derby, Casse remains optimistic: “He’s preparing exceptionally well. With $3.5 million at stake, this is the right opportunity to test his capabilities on turf.”

Tiztastic, the Louisiana Derby victor, is another major contender. This runner has demonstrated affinity for the Kentucky Downs surface with two wins during a ten-day stretch in the previous meet year. Final Gambit, winner of the Jeff Ruby Steaks, and Burnham Square, the Bluegrass Stakes champion, round out the elite roster. All four competitors participated in the 2025 Kentucky Derby.

European-Style Venue Presents Unique Challenge

Kentucky Downs remains the only European-style turf course in the United States, featuring an undulating surface that separates horses based on their adaptability. Some thoroughbreds thrive on the terrain while others struggle. Tiztastic has proven the track suits his running style, making Kentucky Downs a logical return destination following a less-than-ideal performance on grass elsewhere after the Derby.

The Nashville Derby will anchor an August 30 card featuring five stakes races. NBC Sports will provide television coverage, with the race scheduled as the 10th on the program at approximately 4:46 p.m. Central Time.