Griffin Johnson's Rising Stars: Sandman, Ewing, and Curtain Call Set to Shine in Upcoming Races
Griffin Johnson, a popular social media content creator, has made a name for himself in the horse racing world as a part owner of Sandman. Sandman's success in races like the Arkansas Derby, Kentucky Derby, and Preakness Stakes has garnered attention from Griffin's large following. Now, Griffin has expanded his ownership to include two promising 2-year-old racehorses, Ewing and Curtain Call, alongside West Point Thoroughbreds and others. The trio has shown great potential, and their upcoming races in late summer and fall are highly anticipated.
Sandman, with a record of 11 starts, has achieved notable victories in races like the Arkansas Derby and has shown versatility by racing on both dirt and turf. His next challenge is the $3.5 million Nashville Derby Invitational at Kentucky Downs, where he will compete at 1 5/16 miles on turf. Sandman's long-term goal is to participate in high-stakes races on either surface and potentially become a stallion.
Ewing, named after a basketball star, has had a perfect record of two wins in two starts, including the Saratoga Special Stakes. He is set to race in the $300,000 Iroquois Stakes at Churchill Downs, the first race offering qualifying points for the 2026 Kentucky Derby. If Ewing performs well in the Iroquois, he will continue on the path towards the Kentucky Derby, following in the footsteps of Sandman, who also started his journey in a similar race.
Curtain Call, with one win and one second in two starts, is another promising horse in Griffin's ownership. After an impressive victory in a maiden race at Saratoga, he is preparing for the $300,000 Spendthrift Farm Hopeful Stakes at Saratoga. If Curtain Call performs well in the Hopeful, he will aim to compete in other stakes races this fall, with the ultimate goal of participating in the FanDuel Breeders' Cup Juvenile Presented by TAA at Del Mar and continuing on the path towards the 2026 Kentucky Derby.
Griffin Johnson's involvement in horse racing has brought excitement and anticipation to the sport, with Sandman, Ewing, and Curtain Call poised for success in their upcoming races. As these talented horses progress in their careers, the future looks bright for Griffin and his growing presence in the horse racing community.