Metallica Backs Sandman, Guaranteeing he will be the Most Overbet Kentucky Derby Horse

Sandman will be one of the most popular horses in the field for next week’s Kentucky Derby. The three-year-old gained a bunch of fans ahead of the biggest race of his career.

There are a few reasons why Sandman will be a popular pick. First and foremost, just look at him. The Tapit colt is one of the prettiest ponies you’ve ever seen. Everyone loves to cheer for the gray.

Sandman continues to impress – both on the track and in front of the camera.

📸: Coady Media pic.twitter.com/zoTAa0wVHa

— Kevin Kerstein (@HorseRacingKK) April 15, 2025

He’s got the look and the name for a horse that’s going to take on a ton of money. Beach bums everywhere have a reason to back this horse. Sandman is a big hit in the Roush House because it’s the name of a villain in Spidey and his Amazing Friends. That Disney Junior show doesn’t have the same reach as Metallica.

The heavy metal band is one of the most well-known rock groups ever. Even if you don’t like heavy metal, everyone knows Enter Sandman. That is why Metallica had to get it on the fun. The band sent Sandman’s entire barn Metallica t-shirts ahead of the Kentucky Derby. Now, all the horse needs is the logo on its saddlecloth.

Many thanks to @Metallica for outfitting our entire barn with gear!

LET’S GO SANDMAN 💪🏼@westpointtbred @DJ_Stable @markecasse pic.twitter.com/YlfKeLXEUN

— Samantha Bussanich (@sbussanich) April 21, 2025

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Sandman is this year’s My Boy Jack

Sandman is on a trajectory that mirrors My Boy Jack. The third-place finisher in the 2018 Louisiana Derby opened at 30-1. By the time the starting gate opened, he was the second choice to Justify at 7-1.

Some of that may have been attributed to the weather. It was a rainy day and My Boy Jack had previously won the Southwest Stakes in the mud. The horse also gained some backside steam after a few impressive training sessions. Above all else, how many people do you know named Jack? Casual fans are typically betting on a horse they feel a connection to, and oftentimes that’s just a name.

The story could be the same for Sandman ahead of Kentucky Derby 151. There’s one other important component. Like My Boy Jack, and all of his other Tapit brothers and sisters, Sandman is a closer. In his most recent race, Sandman went from last to first and scored a 101 Brisnet Speed Figure in an Arkansas Derby win, the same prep race that American Pharoah won before his Triple Crown conquest.

Don’t Fall For It

I love Tapit horses. I’ve spent summers living on the farm where he resides. Jose Ortiz is one of the best riders in North America and Mark Casse is a quality trainer who is due for a Triple Crown win.

There will be a bunch of money on Sandman in the Kentucky Derby, but none of it is coming from me. The Arkansas Derby was a weird race. Speed King and Cornucopian opened up by five lengths and ran a half mile in 45 seconds, creating an unsustainable pace. It was the perfect race for Sandman to win, but he was all over the track in the homestretch and it nearly cost him a win.

This gray horse is too green to receive any of my green at the Kentucky Derby.