Sandman

GISW Sandman (Tapit) has picked up the services of John Velazquez for his anticipated start in Preakness 150, who will replace Jose Ortiz due to another commitment for the contest. Hall of Fame trainer Mark Casse promised he'd have a Hall of Fame rider for his grey son of Tapit, and a legend he has procured. Velazquez will be replacing Jose Ortiz, who had the mount in the Derby, as Ortiz has a prior commitment aboard Clever Again (American Pharoah) for trainer Steve Asmussen. The Triple Crown trail has been...

The winner of the GI Arkansas Derby and seventh place finisher in the GI Kentucky Derby, Sandman (Tapit--Distorted Music, by Distorted Humor) will enter next Saturday's GI Preakness Stakes at Pimlico, according to a press release sent out by 1/ST Racing. Co-owned by D. J. Stable LLC, St. Elias Stable, West Point Thoroughbreds, CJ Stables and influencer Griffin Johnson, the 3-year-old has remained at Churchill Downs where he took a spin over the main track on Friday. "We wanted to see how he came back. He's an extremely happy horse...

One day removed from a big win with Sovereignty (Into Mischief) in the GI Kentucky Derby, the media converged on Bill Mott's barn on the Churchill Downs backside Sunday Morning. Accompanied by Godolphin's Michael Banahan, Mott indicated the colt exited the 10-furlong Classic in good order, however, had also sustained 'a small scrape--about four inches' on his right front pastern during the early part of the race. "He did sustain a little scrape on the outside of his pastern, most likely leaving the gate," Mott said Sunday. "He broke and...

The field for the GI Kentucky Derby, ranked in "likeliest winner" order. 1) JOURNALISM (c, Curlin--Mopotism, by Uncle Mo). O-Bridlewood Farm, Don Alberto Stable, Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners, Elayne Stables 5 LLC, LaPenta, Robert V., Magnier, Mrs. John, Smith, Derrick and Tabor, Michael B.; B-Don Alberto Corporation (KY); T-Michael W. McCarthy. Sales history: $825,000 Ylg '23 FTSAUG. Lifetime record: GISW, 5-4-0-1, $638,880. Last start: WON Apr. 5 GI Santa Anita Derby. Journalism is the legitimate and deserving favorite. He checks many of the Derby desirability boxes by being a big, long-striding...

America's Best Racing, a multimedia fan development and awareness platform initiated and funded by The Jockey Club, has received two 2025 Stevie Awards, presented by the 2025 American Business Awards, winning in the categories for Marketing Campaign of the Year--Entertainment & Sports and for Influencer Marketing Campaign of the Year. ABR has also been named a finalist in the 2025 Shorty Awards "Sports" category. All of the awards are for ABR's ground-breaking campaign, "A Stake in Stardom," which this week will be represented in the 2025 Kentucky Derby by social...

After the eighth race at Churchill Downs Thursday, May 1, horse owner and philanthropist Ken Freirich will make a $100,000 donation to four Thoroughbred retirement charities to be split evenly amongst them, it was revealed in a joint press release. The four aftercare organizations are New Vocations, Second Stride, Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance, and the Thoroughbred Charities of America. Freirich, who is a part of owner of Kentucky Derby hopeful Sandman via his involvement with West Point Thoroughbreds, will present the check in the winner's circle after the eighth race on...

Griffin Johnson may not be well known within horse racing circles, but that doesn't mean he can't help the sport. For decades, racing has been fighting a losing battle when it comes to attracting a younger audience. That's where Johnson comes in. He is a social media influencer who has 9.7 million followers on TikTok and 2.6 million on Instagram. He's also a horse owner. Johnson is part of the West Point Thoroughbreds group that owns GI Arkansas Derby winner and GI Kentucky Derby contender Sandman (Tapit). He'll be at...

Griffin Johnson is one of the internet's most popular influencers, and as a 2.5% owner in Sandman, he has now turned his attention to the Kentucky Derby, where Sandman will go off as one of the favorites. He joins the TDN Writers' Room to talk about young people and horse racing.

GI Arkansas Derby hero Sandman (Tapit) completed his final work for Kentucky Derby 151 on a clear Wednesday morning at Churchill Downs, while Journalism (Curlin) and 'TDN Rising Star' Rodriguez (Authentic) made their first appearances after shipping in from California on Tuesday afternoon. Sandman, who was a $1.2-million OBS March buy a year ago, worked five furlongs under Froylan Garcia for trainer Mark Casse. The 3-year-old went easy as he produced fractions of :13.60, :26.20, :38, 1:02.40 and out six furlongs in 1:15.60, according to Churchill Downs clocker John Nichols....

by Jessica Martini & Stefanie Grimm OCALA, FL - A colt by Tapit brought the high price of $1 million during a day which featured lively trade at the top of the market at the opening session of the Ocala Breeders' Sales Company's Spring Sale of 2-Year-Olds in Training Tuesday in Central Florida. A total of 153 juveniles had sold by the end of Tuesday's session for a gross of $19,615,000. The average was $128,203 and the median was $60,000. During last year's opening session, 145 horses had sold by...

On a crisp Tuesday morning at Churchill Downs, Kentucky Derby 151 contenders Coal Battle (Coal Front) and Sandman (Tapit) turned in published workouts. Sandman, winner of the GI Arkansas Derby for D.J. Stable, St. Elias Stable, West Point Thoroughbreds and CJ Stables, breezed at 7:15 a.m. (all time Eastern) with trainer Mark Casse's longtime exercise rider Froylan Garcia in the irons. The grey began his work with eighth-mile splits of :13.60 and :26.40 before registering an official final time of :49.60 for four furlongs. The colt galloped out five furlongs...

A new kingpin graces the No. 1 slot after the final round of 100-point preps. The rankings below are in "likeliest winner" order, and are independent from the "Road to the Derby" points leaderboard that awards starting berths. 1) JOURNALISM (c, Curlin--Mopotism, by Uncle Mo) O-Bridlewood Farm, Don Alberto Stable, Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners, Elayne Stables 5 LLC, LaPenta, Robert V., Magnier, Mrs. John, Smith, Derrick and Tabor, Michael B.; B-Don Alberto Corporation (KY); T-Michael W. McCarthy. Sales history: $825,000 Ylg '23 FTSAUG. Lifetime Record: GISW, 5-4-0-1, $638,880. Last start: WON...