Metallica frontman visits Sandman at Kentucky Derby

Fresh off a couple of shows at Rogers Centre last week, Metallica frontman James Hetfield took some time Friday to visit another sporting venue.

Hetfield made his way to Churchill Downs to offer his best wishes to Sandman, who was third in the morning-line odds for Saturday’s Kentucky Derby.

The Arkansas Derby winner, of course, has a deep connection to the American rockers and their classic song “Enter Sandman.”

Earlier this year, Metallica donated shirts for the colt’s barn crew.

Sandman also has a Canadian connection — the horse is trained by Canadian Horse Racing Hall of Famer Mark Casse, who has dominated at Woodbine Racetrack for years.

The Indiana native has won the King’s Plate, Canada’s top horse race, three times.

Meanwhile, Florida Panthers owner Vincent Viola is one of Sandman’s four owners. He won the 2017 Kentucky Derby as a co-owner of Always Dreaming.

Sandman will break from post No. 17 in the Run for the Roses. In 150 previous editions of the first jewel of the U.S. Triple Crown, a horse has never won from that outside post (is it horse racing’s version of never-never land?).

Journalism is the favourite in the 19-horse race.

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