March 27, 2025
TORONTO — By Matthew Lomon
Take My Hand
Sandman enters Saturday’s $1.5 million Arkansas Derby (G1) hoping to break through at the graded level.
Taking to Oaklawn Park, the site of his last three starts and two of four graded stakes attempts, Enter Sandman has made encouraging strides as of late.
One month removed from a third in the Grade 2 Rebel and two months from a second in the Grade 3 Southwest (G3), the Mark Casse charge has hit the board in four straight starts.
While the 1 1/8-mile Arkansas Derby represents Sandman’s (3-1) first trip at the Grade 1 tier, the 3-year-old colt enters in a promising position as the field of nine’s third choice behind favorite Cornucopian (7-5) and Coal Battle (7-2).
Tappan the Right Buttons
Lightly raced colt Tappan Street has a ways to go before making good on his hefty $1 million price tag, but winning this Saturday’s $1 million Florida Derby (G1), and reserving a spot in May’s Kentucky Derby (G1) is a good starting place.
The highly touted youngster won his maiden debut at Gulfstream in a seven-furlong sprint on Dec. 28 before graduating to the graded ranks for start number two.
While Tappan Street closed to be 1 ¾ lengths behind leader Burnham Square, the 3-year-old finished 9 ¼ lengths ahead of third place runner Burning Glory.
With pedigree, time, and talent on his side, Tappan Street makes an intriguing case for himself at 5-1.
Just the Two of Us
On paper, Simply Joking (8-5) and Quietside (2-1) appear to be well ahead of their eight contemporaries in Saturday’s $750,000 Fantasy (G2) at Oaklawn Park.
For context, the next closest competitor on the opening line is Take Charge Milady at 6-1.
Let’s start with the case for the early favorite, Simply Joking. Despite having just two races under her belt, the 3-year-old filly immediately jumped to the stakes ranks for her debut. After narrowly escaping the Letellier Memorial, Simply Joking delivered a first-class effort in the Silverbulletday.
Her competition, Quietside, has made five lifetime starts, never finishing below third. The Jose Ortiz mount has contested four graded tilts, including the Honeybee (G3), which she won last out on Feb. 23.
All eyes will be on the dynamic duo in their first head-to-head matchup.
Royal Ascent
Off to a strong start to her sophomore campaign, The Queens M G can continue her rapid ascent with a victory in this Saturday’s $250,000 Gulfstream Park Oaks (G2).
With a Davona Dale (G2) triumph and Forward Gal third already on her 2025 resume, the Saffie Joseph, Jr. trainee has shown an excellent form against top competition.
She previously made waves last August with a commanding nine-length Adirondack (G3) score in her graded debut.
With up to 100 Kentucky Oaks (G1) qualifying points on the line, The Queens M G slots into post three for the 1 1/16-mile Gulfstream Oaks at 9-5 just behind 8-5 choice Five G.
Worth the W8?
Mired in a seven-race winless drought, 5-year-old mare Alpha Bella can put an end to the ghastly streak in this Saturday’s $100,000 Wilshire (G3T) at Santa Anita.
While the scoreless septet hasn’t been all bad (four second-place finishes), a horse of Alpha Bella’s experience deserves a change in fortune.
With 20 starts to her name across four professional seasons, the John Sadler trainee has just three wins to show for it. That said, she is a graded stakes winner (2024 Grade 3 La Prevoyante), and she has landed in the money 12 times (3-7-2).
Entering the one-mile Wilshire at 2-1, Alpha Bella will need to go through 7-5 opening line favorite Tirupati.