2025.07.24 Oaklawn Racing Updates

Racing Updates
Compiled by Robert Yates

Contact: Chris Ho Vice President of Marketing

Thursday, July 24, 2025

Arkansas Derby winner Sandman returns to action in the nine-furlong $500,000 G2-Jim Dandy Stakes Saturday at Saratoga.

Probable post time for the Jim Dandy, the 10th of 12 races, is 4:41 p.m. CDT. The Jim Dandy is the major local prep for the $1.25 million G1-Travers Stakes Aug. 23.

Sandman will be making his first start since finishing third in the Preakness – the second leg of the Triple Crown – May 17 at Pimlico. Sandman finished third in the Preakness, 2 ¾ lengths behind winner Journalism, one of the country’s top 3-year-olds. Journalism won last week’s G1-Haskell Stakes at Monmouth Park. Sandman faces the nation’s top sophomore runner, Kentucky Derby and Belmont Stakes winner, Sovereignty, in the Jim Dandy.

Sandman wintered at Oaklawn, making four starts at the meeting for dual Hall of Fame trainer Mark Casse. He was an allowance race winner at one mile Dec. 13 before competing in three Kentucky Derby qualifying races

.

Sandman finished a troubled second in the $1 million G3-Southwest Stakes Jan. 25, third as the favorite in the $1.25 million G2-Rebel Stakes Feb. 23, then closed from far back to capture the $1.5 million G1-Arkansas Derby March 29. The Southwest and Rebel are run at 1 1/16-miles while the Arkansas Derby, like the Jim Dandy, is 1 1/8-miles.

Sandman finished seventh in the Kentucky Derby, beaten 12 ½ lengths by Sovereignty.

Sandman (6-1 on the morning line) is among only five horses entered in the Jim Dandy. Jose Ortiz, who rode the Tapit colt to his Arkansas Derby victory, has the call from post 2. Sovereignty, the 2-5 program favorite, drew post 5. Sandman and Sovereignty will both carry equal top weight of 124 pounds.

Baeza, third in the Kentucky Derby, is also entered in the Jim Dandy, along with Ohio Derby winner Mo Plex.

In his second career start and only prior effort at Saratoga, Sandman broke his maiden last August in a seven-furlong maiden allowance race.

Finish Lines

Oaklawn-raced Hypnus and Fountain Lake are entered in the $135,000 Curlin Stakes for 3-year-olds at 1 1/8 miles Thursday at Saratoga. … Oaklawn-raced Smoken Wicked is entered in the 6 ½-furlong $200,000 G2-Amsterdam Stakes for 3-year-olds Friday at Saratoga. … Oaklawn-raced Express Train and Tarantino are entered in the $300,000 G2-San Diego Handicap at 1 1/16 miles Saturday at Del Mar. … Oaklawn maiden winner Pink Ruby is entered in the $250,000 G3-Monmouth Oaks Saturday at Monmouth Park. … Oaklawn-raced Patriot Spirit is the 7-5 program favorite for the $100,000 Reigh Count Stakes Saturday at Colonial Downs. Oaklawn stakes winner Kavod is also entered. … Oaklawn-raced Bourbon Breeze is the 5-2 program favorite for the $100,000 Love Sign Stakes Saturday at Colonial Downs.