March 30, 2025
TORONTO — By Matthew Lomon
Sweet Dreams
Sandman entered Saturday’s $1.5 million Arkansas Derby at Oaklawn Park with $444,595 to his name and exited $810,000 richer after an impressive 2 ½-length score.
Slotted into post six as the third choice in the field of nine, Sandman (7-2) and rider Jose Ortiz were stuck in traffic early on but showed great patience waiting for a lane to open.
Once they found space, the formidable duo sprinted ahead with ease to claim the top spot and a position in May’s Kentucky Derby (G1) at Churchill Downs.
Now standing at 3-1-2 from eight lifetime starts, Sandman paid $9.40.
Street Party
Tappan Street’s path to the Kentucky Derby is looking a whole lot clearer after the 3-year-old colt stormed to victory in Saturday’s $1 million Florida Derby (G1) at Gulfstream Park.
Making just his third career start, and first at the Grade 1 level, Tappan Street turned in his finest effort when it mattered most.
Under the hand of rider Luis Saez, the Brad Cox charge hung around the middle of the 10-horse pack before sliding ahead in the latter stages for a smooth 1 ¼-length clearance.
With 100 Kentucky Derby qualifying points added to his tally, Tappan Street (2-1) paid $6.80.
On the Rise
The window to buy Quietside stock at a reasonable price is officially closed.
The gifted young filly continued her rapid ascent towards superstardom with a clean win of Saturday’s $750,000 Fantasy (G2) at Oaklawn Park.
Eyeing her second straight graded title – victorious last out in February’s Grade 3 Honeybee – Quietside found herself engaged in a spirited battle with 3-1 rival Simply Joking.
Running neck-and-neck throughout the 1 1/16-mile contest, Quietside was able to separate from her counterpart and maintain a three-quarters of a length cushion for the win.
As the heavy 3-5 favorite, Quietside paid a modest $3.20.
Reviews are in
A five-star showing from Five G in Saturday’s $250,000 Gulfstream Park Oaks (G2) earned the 3-year-old filly her first graded triumph and 100 Kentucky Oaks (G1) points.
Closing as the slight 6-5 choice, Five G looked very comfortable as the pacesetter in the 1 1/16-mile affair.
After hopping out to an early lead, the George Weaver trainee calmly maintained her position atop the field before pulling away from 8-1 challenger Anna’s Promise for the 2 ¼-length tally.
The fruitful endeavor, which extended Five G’s streak of top two finishes to five straight (3-2-0), paid $4.60.
This is Your Captain Speaking
Pilot Commander, who had held tough in two spirited, yet winless attempts at the graded stakes level, finally tracked down his first trophy in Saturday’s $100,000 San Carlos (G3T) at Santa Anita.
This latest trip was a welcomed sight for the 4-year-old colt following a fourth in December’s Malibu (G1T) and last January’s San Vicente (G2T).
Working within a small five-horse field, Pilot Commander navigated his way to the front of the lot and held firm by three-quarters of a length for the decision.
Sporting a strong 4-2-0 line through seven career starts, the Juan Hernandez mount paid a light $2.80.