Sandman

The TDN Writers' Room saw a host of entertaining and enlightening guests in 2025. Here's a look at few of our favorites: Griffin Johnson, Terry Bradshaw, Junior Alvarado, and a collection of industry veterans who shared stories of the legendary D. Wayne Lukas.

The Turf Publicists of America (TPA) will award the 2025 Big Sport of Turfdom award to social media influencer Griffin Johnson, the organization announced Wednesday. The annual award recognizes a person or group who enhances coverage of Thoroughbred racing through cooperation with media and racing publicists. Johnson entered horse racing in 2024 through America's Best Racing's "A Stake in Stardom" campaign as a partial owner of Grade I winner Sandman (Tapit) with West Point Thoroughbreds. Johnson is also a part-owner of Grade II winner Ewing (Knicks Go). As an ambassador...

Edited Press Release Hall of Fame trainer Mark Casse returned to Oaklawn Park last season, winning nine races--a single-season personal best in Hot Springs--led by GI Arkansas Derby hero Sandman (Tapit). Casse could make an even bigger impact during the coming split meets because several of his most prominent horses will ship for Oaklawn's 64-day season that begins Dec. 12. The trainer, who received 25 stalls, already has horses on the grounds. "They'll come in stages," Casse said from his Florida base on Thursday. "But we're going to bring our...

Damon Thayer has retired from his job as the Senate Majority Floor Leader in the state of Kentucky, where he was one of horse racing's staunchest and most important allies. Thayer may no longer be walking the halls of the Capitol in Frankfort, but he is still working hard to help the sport he loves. He is now a senior advisor with Thoroughbred Racing Initiative (TRI), a group devoted to stopping decoupling efforts at Gulfstream Park and to see to it that racing in South Florida remains a vital part...

OwnerView has named influencer and content creator Griffin Johnson as their 2025 New Owner of the Year, the organization said in a press release on Thursday morning. The award, sponsored by 1/ST RACING, was given to Johnson because of his work with America's Best Racing. The social media star became a part-owner in GISW Sandman (Tapit) with West Point Thoroughbreds and in 'TDN Rising Star, presented by Hagyard', Ewing (Knicks Go). As an ambassador for the sport, Johnson exposed millions of young people to horse racing. His behind-the-scenes videos with...

Rigney Racing's Jonathan's Way (Vekoma--Female Drama, by Indian Charle), impressive winner of his first two career starts, including the GIII Iroquois Stakes, has been retired from racing and will enter stud for the 2026 breeding season at Airdrie Stud, the Lexington nursery said in a release Friday morning. Bred in Ohio by Susan Anderson, the dark bay was knocked down to John Moynihan on behalf of Rigney Racing for $290,000 as a weanling at Keeneland November in 2022, which would prove to be the highest-priced Vekoma offering of the sales...

SARATOGA SPRINGS - Trainer Kenny McPeek wanted 2024 Horse of the Year Thorpedo Anna (Fast Anna) to work during her work on Sunday morning. And that is what she did. Maybe a little bit more The charismatic 4-year-old, ridden by Luis Rivera Jr., stepped onto the Oklahoma Training Track just after 7:30 a.m. and did her thing. Working with stablemate Midnight Concerto (Mendelssohn) and Danny Ramsey, Thorpedo Anna went five furlongs in 1:01.80 (3/11). However, the work had a wrench tossed into it when Midnight Concerto far in front of...

Dan Tordjman has been appointed as president of TJC Media Ventures after previously serving as vice president since 2024, the Jockey Club announced Monday. Overseeing record growth in viewership and engagement with America's Best Racing (ABR) content since joining in 2014, Tordjman has overseen digital strategy, content development, and industry partnerships in his 20 years of professional experience. Prior to his role as vice president, Tordjman served as manager of Partnerships & Sponsorships, building and nurturing strategic relationships with racetracks, ADWs, and other industry stakeholders. His team also created and...

SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. - Two years ago, the GI Whitney Stakes was a whiteout. As in White Abarrio (Race Day), who crushed the field by 6 1/4 lengths. Fast forward to now and White Abarrio is back for another run in Saturday's $1 million Whitney, the premier race for older horses at the 40-day meet at Saratoga Race Course. The 6-year-old horse will look to shrug off a disappointing fourth place finish in the GI Met Mile last month and prove to his trainer Saffie Joseph Jr. that he deserves...

Ninety-five years ago, a horse named Jim Dandy upset Triple Crown winner Gallant Fox at odds of 100-1 in the GI Travers Stakes at Saratoga. Saturday, with the traditional Travers prep race now named in honor of that monumental beating, the team behind GI Kentucky Derby and GI Belmont Stakes winner Sovereignty (Into Mischief) reminded everyone why their colt is the top of the class, avoiding any drama to take the GII Jim Dandy Stakes. Not that there was ever any doubt. With GI Preakness Stakes winner Journalism (Curlin) 3,000...

SARATOGA SPRINGS - Hall of Fame trainer Mark Casse wasn't going to lie. There is no joy in facing Sovereignty (Into Mischief), the clear leader of the 3-year-old division. But that doesn't mean Casse isn't chomping at the bit for another chance at the champ. That comes a week from Saturday when Casse's Sandman (Tapit) takes on the GI Kentucky Derby and GI Belmont Stakes winner in Saratoga's $500,000 GII Jim Dandy. "I don't know if you ever look forward to facing Sovereignty," Casse said outside his barn on the...

SARATOGA SPRINGS - Sometimes, you just know. When Hall of Fame trainer Mark Casse breezed 2-year-old Curtain Call (Tiz the Law) at his training center in Ocala, Fla., he shipped owner Terry Finley a simple, yet powerful text message. It was a photo of a Porsche. Fast car. Translation, in case you needed it: Curtain Call, Casse believed, was going to be a swift one. His confidence was rewarded in Saturday's first race at Saratoga when Curtain Call dominated a six-furlong $100,000 maiden special weight and earned a 'TDN Rising...