Social media content creator Griffin Johnson has become one of horse racing’s leading ambassadors to Gen Z since he became part owner of Sandman last year through America’s Best Racing’s “A Stake in Stardom” program. Since then, Sandman has taken Griffin and his approximately 15 million followers on quite the ride, winning the Arkansas Derby back in April and running in both the Kentucky Derby and Preakness Stakes (where he finished third).

It's safe to say that Griffin has caught the horse racing bug. Now, he’s joined West Point Thoroughbreds and others as part owner of promising 2-year-old racehorses Ewing and Curtain Call. Let’s take a quick look at what’s coming up for the talented trio heading into the late summer and fall. The plans are ambitious for all three – but they’ve each shown enough talent to justify big dreams.

Sandman

Sandman trains on turf. (Skip Dickstein/BloodHorse)

Record: 11 starts – 3 wins – 1 second – 3 thirds

What he’s done: Won the Arkansas Derby, finished second in the Southwest Stakes and third in the Preakness Stakes and Rebel Stakes

What’s next: Planning for a start in the $3.5 million Nashville Derby Invitational held at 1 5/16 miles Aug. 30 at Kentucky Downs, which will be his first start on turf after racing on dirt.

Long-term goal: Competing in big-money races on either turf or dirt, and eventually becoming a stallion.

Ewing

Record: 2 starts – 2 wins – 0 seconds – 0 thirds

What he’s done: Won the Saratoga Special Stakes

What’s next: Named after the Hall of Fame New York Knicks basketball star, he’s planning to start in the $300,000 Iroquois Stakes held at one mile Sept. 13 at Churchill Downs. The Iroquois is the first race offering qualifying points to the 2026 Kentucky Derby Presented by Woodford Reserve.

Long-term goal: If Ewing wins the Iroquois, look for him to continue taking steps on the road to the Kentucky Derby – and even if he doesn’t win, keep in mind that Sandman finished fifth in the Iroquois last year and still developed into a Derby prospect.

Curtain Call

Meeting fans at Saratoga. (Susie Raisher/NYRA)

Record: 2 starts – 1 win – 1 second – 0 thirds

What he’s done: Won a maiden race at Saratoga by 8 ½ lengths

What’s next: Planning for a start in the $300,000 Spendthrift Farm Hopeful Stakes held at seven furlongs Sept. 1 at Saratoga.

Long-term goal: As with Ewing, if Curtain Call runs well in the Hopeful he’ll be pointed to other stakes races this fall with a goal of competing in the FanDuel Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Presented by TAA Oct. 31 at Del Mar and then, “hopefully” continuing along the road to the 2026 Kentucky Derby.