Sandman's past performances, jockey, trainer, Preakness Stakes odds and full analysis heading into the second leg of the Triple Crown.
Trainer Mark Casse is counting on Sandman to uncork his signature stretch run when the field turns for home in the Preakness Stakes today. The key question? Whether he’ll have enough time—and room—to catch the frontrunners.
In the Kentucky Derby, Sandman was shuffled back early, swung nine-wide into the lane, and wound up seventh over a sloppy surface that didn’t suit his style.
“He never looked comfortable,” Casse said. “We knew pretty early we were in trouble.”
But the gray colt’s class isn’t in doubt. Two starts back, Sandman rallied from well off the pace to win the Arkansas Derby (G1) by 2½ lengths. Before that, he hit the board in both the Southwest (G3) and Rebel (G2) Stakes.
Originally, the plan was to skip the Preakness and point toward the Belmont Stakes, but the colt came out of the Derby so well that Casse changed course.
“I always remember what Allen Jerkens used to say—‘Run ’em when they’re good,’” Casse noted. “And right now, this horse is doing great. He’s telling us he’s ready.”
With a smaller field at Pimlico and better weather likely, Sandman should get a cleaner trip—and a better chance to show that late acceleration. Casse has seen this movie before. In 2019, his colt War of Will also finished seventh in the Derby and came back to win the Preakness.
“I’ll take the same script,” Casse said with a grin.
If the track is fast and he gets a good setup, Sandman has the firepower to finish strong. A live win threat. Include him in your exotics bets, check the live odds and news for the Preakness Stakes.
Notes: Hall of Famer John Velazquez takes over the reins from Jose Ortiz, who rides Clever Again in the Preakness. Sandman’s connections include some of the sport’s top ownership groups. With Casse already a Preakness winner, don’t be shocked if lightning strikes twice.
The writing team at US Racing is comprised of both full-time and part-time contributors with expertise in various aspects of the Sport of Kings.
