Sandman rose to the occasion with another dynamic rally to win the $1.5-million Arkansas Derby (G1) on Saturday at Oaklawn Park and secured a spot in the Kentucky Derby (G1).

Relaxing off a very fast pace, the gray colt responded for jockey Jose Ortiz when asked. The colt initiated a long drive and reached the front at the top of the stretch.  Then he powered home to secure the victory by 2 1/2 lengths in front of an announced crowd of 68,500 at the historic track in Hot Springs.

Sandman banked 100 qualifying points for the classic on the First Saturday in May. That pushed his total to 129, the most of any Kentucky Derby contender to date. His overall earnings currently stand at $1,117,995.

West Point races Sandman with D. J. Stable, St. Elias Stable and CJ Stable. Additionally, social media influencer Griffin Johnson, through the America’s Best Racing Stake in Stardom Program, is a part owner of Sandman via West Point Thoroughbreds. Sandman was acquired at the 2024 OBS March sale of two-year-olds in training.

Mark Casse trains the horse. The son of Tapit had been knocking on the door with a second-place finish in the Southwest Stakes (G3) earlier in the season and a third-place finish in the Rebel Stakes (G2). The Arkansas Derby (G1) is Sandman’s first grade one win.

Learn more about how you can own a racehorse like Arkansas Derby (G1) winner Sandman. Explore our “Learn About Racing Partnerships” section of our website.

West Point CEO Terry Finley interviewed after Sandman’s win: 

Arkansas Derby Winner Sandman