Sandman Heads Back to Saratoga With Dreams Intact, Eyes Jim Dandy Glory

The Arkansas Derby (G1) winner will try to pull off the upset against the heavy favorite Sovereignty this Saturday

Sandman aims for a breakthrough at Saratoga / ADAM COGLIANESE / NYRA

SARATOGA SPRINGS, Nueva York (Special for Turf Diario).- With the fresh memory of his stunning Arkansas Derby (G1) victory and a return to the track where he first showed his potential as a colt, Sandman aims to further cement his status among the top three-year-olds this Saturday in the prestigious Jim Dandy Stakes (G2, 1800m, dirt, $500,000)—a key prep for the Travers (G1).

Representing D.J. Stable, St. Elias Stable, West Point Thoroughbreds, and CJ Stables, the son of the sensational Tapit will face a small field of just five, including the heavy favorite Sovereignty (Into Mischief), fresh off his Belmont Stakes (G1) triumph. But Sandman has already proven he can compete, and trainer Mark Casse is optimistic.

“He’s happy and looks great. We know he likes this track—it’s like his home turf,” said Casse, who recently celebrated his 4,000th North American win.

Sandman’s return to Saratoga is a nod to those who remember his breakout moment there last August, when he notched his first victory in just his second career start, cruising over 1400 meters. Since then, his progress has been clear.

He shone during the winter at Oaklawn Park, rising through the ranks: second in the Southwest Stakes (G3) coming from behind, third in the Rebel Stakes (G2), and finally explosive in the Arkansas Derby (G1), rallying from 13 lengths back to win by 2 1/2 lengths. That day marked his first start at 1800 meters, the same distance he tackles this weekend.

The Kentucky Derby (G1) didn’t go his way—on a sealed, muddy track, he started near the back and despite a brave effort, finished seventh, 15 lengths behind Sovereignty. He redeemed himself in the Preakness Stakes (G1), running prominently to finish third, just 2 3/4 lengths behind, leaving the impression there’s more to come.

Casse, ever meticulous, has made a small change for the Jim Dandy: Sandman will wear a hood for the first time. “We hope it helps him focus more early on. It might work, or it might not, but it’s better to try here than at the Travers,” he explained.

Given the small field and lack of pure speed, Casse also believes Sandman could stay closer to the pace than in previous races. “The pace setup should allow that, and José (Ortiz) knows him well—he knows where he’s comfortable,” he added.

Ortiz, currently second in the Saratoga meet standings, will again ride the gray colt, as he did in the Arkansas Derby victory. Sandman will break from post 2 and is listed as the third betting choice at 6-1.

Purchased for $1.2 million at the 2024 OBS March Sale, Sandman is by Distorted Music (by Distorted Humor), and a half-brother to graded winner She Can’t Sing (Bernardini). His second dam, Music Room (Unbridled's Song), is a half-sister to champion Music Note (A.P. Indy), who produced champions Mystic Guide (Ghostzapper), winner of the 2020 Jim Dandy and 2021 Dubai World Cup (G1), and G3 winner and current sire at Argentina’s Haras Vikeda, Gershwin (Distorted Humor).

Everything is set for Sandman to shine again on the stage where he took his first big step—and this time, with hopes to confirm he can be a major player in the upcoming Travers Stakes.