Arkansas Derby winner Sandman makes 4-year-old debut Saturday

It’s been almost 20 years since an Arkansas Derby winner returned to Oaklawn to win as an older horse.

Sandman will have that opportunity Saturday when he makes his 4-year-old debut in the fourth race, a $126,000 allowance for older horses at 1 1/16 miles that could serve as a prep for the Grade 3, $500,000 Razorback Handicap on Feb. 28 at Oaklawn.

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Unraced since late August, Sandman is seeking his first victory since the $1.5 million Arkansas Derby (G1) last March. The gray son of Tapit has lost his last four starts, including a seventh in the Kentucky Derby, third in the Preakness and fifth in the Jim Dandy (G2).

“He had a long, hard campaign,” dual Hall of Fame trainer Mark Casse said. “We ran him all winter long. No question he tailed off some in (late summer). Gave him some time off. He’s grown up, he looks good. There’s a couple of horses in there that are going to be tough, but we’re just looking for a good effort. A big race here could set him up for the Razorback.”

Sandman won two of his four starts last season in Hot Springs, with the Arkansas Derby propelling him to a single-season Oaklawn record for purse earnings, $1,168,000.

Sandman, who will be break from the rail under Jose Ortiz, is the 2-1 program favorite for his comeback race. Sandman will be racing on the anti-bleeder medication Lasix for the first time in his career.

Lawyer Ron is the last Arkansas Derby winner to win at Oaklawn as an older horse.

Lawyer Ron won the 2006 Arkansas Derby for trainer Bob Holthus, then returned in 2007 to capture the $500,000 Oaklawn Handicap (G2) for future Hall of Fame trainer Todd Pletcher. Lawyer Ron won an Eclipse Award in 2007 as North America’s champion older horse.

Probable post time for the fourth race is 2:32 p.m. EST.