Sandman has been knocking at the door for months. Those efforts earn Sandman second choice status Saturday. On the cusp of the Kentucky Derby, he enters a grand stage for a chance to put it all together on Saturday in the $1.5-million Arkansas Derby (G1) at Oaklawn.

Sandman was an OBS March 2-year-old acquisition in 2024. To date, he has banked 29 qualifying points for the Run for the Roses. He earned points primarily from a second-place finish in the Southwest Stakes (G3) and a third-place finish in the Rebel Stakes (G2). Jose Ortiz, fresh off the meet title at Fair Grounds, rides Sandman as the 3-to-1 second choice for the Arkansas Derby. The grade one contest offers 100-50-25-15-10 in points for the First Saturday in May.

Hall of Famer Mark Casse trains Sandman, a son of Tapit. The colt spent the winter at Oaklawn, registering a win there, a second and a third.

NBC Sports will air the Arkansas Derby live on CNBC and Peacock during a two-hour program from 6 to 8 p.m ET.

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