Sandman – Kentucky Derby Context

After a troubled second in the Southwest (G3) and rallying third in the Rebel (G2), Sandman broke through with his first stakes win in the Arkansas Derby (G1), powerfully circling rivals on the far turn to reach a clear lead by the top of the stretch. The gray colt brings improving form and numbers to the Kentucky Derby (G1), registering a 101 Brisnet Speed rating for his 2 1/2-length decision last out, and Sandman will look to make a serious impact from off the pace.

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OWNER: Sandman is owned by the partnership of D.J. Stable (Leonard C. Green), St. Elias Stable (Vincent Viola), West Point Thoroughbreds (Terry Finley), and C J Stables (Charles Sonson), and social media influencer Griffin Johnson is a minority shareholder in the racehorse via America’s Best Racing’s A Stake in Stardom influencer ownership initiative. St. Elias and West Point were involved in the partnership that campaigned 2017 Kentucky Derby winner Always Dreaming, and West Point owned 2014 runner-up Commanding Curve.

TRAINER: A Hall of Famer in the United States and Canada, Mark Casse can add the Kentucky Derby to a packed trophy case. Casse captured the Preakness (G1) with War of Will and Belmont (G1) with Sir Winston in 2019, but he’s winless from 10 previous Kentucky Derby attempts. The 2017 fourth-placer Classic Empire is his top Derby finisher. An Indiana native, Casse won his first race at Keeneland in 1979 shortly after receiving his trainer’s license at age 18, and he developed into a leading trainer in the Midwest and Canada, winning his first training title at Churchill Downs in 1988. He’s now approaching 4,000 wins and his horses have earned more than $250 million.

SIRE: Perhaps best known for siring undefeated Horse of the Year Flightline, Tapit has significantly impacted the final leg of the Triple Crown, siring four winners of the 1 1/2-mile classic. However, the legendary stallion still seeks his first Kentucky Derby winner. He’s by Pulpit, who was fourth in the 1997 Kentucky Derby and is a grandson of 1977 Triple Crown winner Seattle Slew. Tapit, the hero of the Wood Memorial (G1), caught a sloppy Derby track and never fired, finishing ninth as the 6-1 third choice in the 2004 running. A leading sire and force on the Triple Crown trail for nearly 20 years, Tapit will be celebrated if Sandman delivers an elusive Kentucky Derby win.

DAM: Sandman is out of the Distorted Humor mare Distorted Music and counts Grade 3 winner She Can’t Sing as a half-sibling. This is the immediate female family of Dubai World Cup (G1) winner Mystic Guide, and Sandman is bred to relish the 1 1/4-mile Kentucky Derby distance. Distorted Humor, a leading general and freshman sire, counts 2003 Kentucky Derby hero Funny Cide among his 163 stakes winners. While still looking to make a serious mark upon the Triple Crown, Distorted Humor has developed into a prominent broodmare sire. Hall of Famer Arrogate, who established a North American record with more than $17.4 million in earnings, is among his notable runners. Kentucky Derby contenders Citizen Bull and Tappan Street also count Distorted Humor as their broodmare sire.

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