Rallying from off the pace, Kentucky-bred Sandman outkicked Publisher around the far turn to capture the $1.5 million Arkansas Derby (G1) at Oaklawn Park on Saturday, March 29. With the impressive win, Sandman earned 100 qualifying points. He now tops the Road to the Kentucky Derby leaderboard with 129 points.
Ridden by Jose Ortiz for trainer Mark Casse, Sandman raced in eighth position early in the 1 1/8-mile fixture, well behind a fast early pace set by Cornucopian. Unhurried in the run up the backstretch, he swept toward the tiring leaders turning for home four wide. He gained command in upper stretch. Despite lugging out sharply with a furlong to run while clear, Sandman maintained a comfortable advantage to score by 2 ½ lengths in the end. He covered the distance in 1:50.08.
Casse Seeks Kentucky Derby Success With Sandman
Owned by D.J. Stable, St. Elias Stable, West Point Thoroughbreds, and CJ Stables, Sandman is by Tapit out of the Distorted Humor mare Distorted Music. Sandman was acquired for $1.2 million out of the 2024 OBS March Sale where he was consigned by Tom McCrocklin as a complete dispersal for Bob Lothenbach’s Lothenbach Stables, the gray colt’s breeder. Lothenbach passed away in 2023.
“As Jose (Ortiz) said, he wants you to get into a rhythm, and if you can get him into that rhythm, he’ll just go,” Casse said to BloodHorse. “Jose said he didn’t take a deep breath when he pulled up.”
Sandman will now try to give Casse his first Kentucky Derby victory after 10 previous tries. He has won two Triple Crown events. Casse won the 2019 Preakness S. (G1) with War of Will and that year’s Belmont S. (G1) with Sir Winston.