Last year, social media content creator Griffin Johnson became one of horse racing’s leading ambassadors as he took millions of his fans on an exciting journey to the Kentucky Derby Presented by Woodford Reserve with Sandman.

Since then, Johnson has become involved in several other racehorses as a part-owner or through his association with Hall of Fame trainer Mark Casse. Now, Johnson is amping up for another possible trip to the sport’s most famous race with Silent Tactic. The 3-year-old colt, trained by Casse, is a leading contender for the May 2 Kentucky Derby based on three excellent races at Oaklawn Park in Arkansas.

Here’s what you need to know about Silent Tactic, who will make his final start in a Kentucky Derby prep race Saturday in the $1.5 million Arkansas Derby at Oaklawn:

1. He’s already qualified for the Kentucky Derby. Horses earn a berth in the run for the roses by accumulating points in designated prep races. Silent Tactic won the Southwest Stakes at Oaklawn Park back in February to gain 20 points, and he also finished second in the Rebel Stakes in March (25 points) and second in the Smarty Jones Stakes in January (5 points). That gives him 50 total Kentucky Derby points – enough to make the race in each of the 13 prior years the points system has been used and a safe amount for this year’s edition.

2. His owner has already won the Kentucky Derby. Silent Tactic is owned by John Oxley, a longtime prominent figure in horse racing and one of trainer Mark Casse’s top clients. Oxley won the Kentucky Derby 25 years ago, in 2001, with the colt Monarchos who was trained by the late John Ward. Monarchos ran the second fastest finishing time in Kentucky Derby history, which spans 151 runnings. His final time of 1:59.97 for 1 ¼ miles trails only the legendary Secretariat, who ran it in 1:59.40 in 1973.

3. He’s the type of racehorse called a “closer.” Silent Tactic prefers to run patiently and behind most of the other horses early in a race, reserving his energy. Then, he’ll begin to pick up steam and try to pass all of his opponents as they hopefully get tired when the field enters the homestretch of the track. The faster his foes run early, the better it is for Silent Tactic’s chances to make that winning move late in a race. Sandman was also a closer, and he used that style to win last year’s Arkansas Derby and run third in the Preakness Stakes.

Griffin Johnson and Mark Casse. (Jerry Dzierwinski/Maryland Jockey Club)

4. He has good genetics for handing the Kentucky Derby distance. Silent Tactic’s sire (father) is Tacitus, and he is a member of Tacitus’ first crop of foals. Tacitus raced from 2018 to 2021 and finished third in the 2019 Kentucky Derby and second in the 2019 Belmont Stakes held at a distance longer than the Derby, 1 ½ miles. Tacitus is a son of the sire Tapit, who has sired four Belmont Stakes winners to date. Silent Tactic’s dam (mother) is by the sire Gun Runner, who like Tapit is one of the best stallions in horse racing. Through his bloodlines, Silent Tactic is bred to excel in longer-distance races, which is encouraging for his chances at winning the Kentucky Derby.

5. His trainer is one of the most accomplished in horse racing. Mark Casse has won many of the sport’s most prestigious races, including the both the Preakness Stakes and the Belmont Stakes (the second and third jewels of horse racing’s Triple Crown) in 2019. He has yet to win the first jewel – the Kentucky Derby – with his best finish coming in 2017 when Classic Empire, owned by John Oxley, finished fourth. Casse is a member of the Racing Hall of Fame in both the U.S. and Canada, and he is winning at an impressive 31% clip this winter and spring at Oaklawn Park.

Griffin Johnson and a growing fan base will cheer on Silent Tactic Saturday in the Arkansas Derby. The race will be broadcast live on FS1 and FanDuel TV, with a scheduled post time of 7:48 p.m. ET.

If the colt runs well, look for Griffin and Team Casse to book tickets to Louisville for the first Saturday in May!