Spielberg Added to Florida Derby Lineup
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Photo: Benoit Photo
Spielberg (outside) gets up to win the Los Alamitos Futurity at Los Alamitos Race Course
Grade 2 winner and twice grade 1-placed Spielberg has joined the anticipated field for the $750,000 Curlin Florida Derby presented by Hill 'n' Dale Farms at Xalapa (G1) March 27 at Gulfstream Park.
Trained by Hall of Famer Bob Baffert, the 3-year-old son of Union Rags is scheduled to clash with Holy Bull Stakes (G3) and Fasig-Tipton Fountain of Youth Stakes (G2) winner Greatest Honour in the 1 1/8-mile stakes. Other possible starters include Collaborate, Known Agenda, Nova Rags, Soup and Sandwich, Papetu, Quantum Leap, Jirafales, and Sigiloso.
"We'll see how he stacks up," Baffert said of Spielberg.
The Florida Derby has produced the winners of 60 Triple Crown contests, including 24 in the Kentucky Derby (G1). That is the most of any Kentucky Derby prep, according to Churchill Downs statistics.
Spielberg, who is scheduled to breeze March 21 at his base at Santa Anita Park before shipping to South Florida, finished second behind Eclipse champion Essential Quality in the Feb. 27 Southwest Stakes (G3) at Oaklawn Park following a poor start.
Video: Southwest S. (G3)
"He's a great-feeling horse," Baffert said. "He came out of that race in great shape."
A start earlier, the colt failed to threaten in the Robert B. Lewis Stakes (G3) at Santa Anita when fourth behind stablemate Medina Spirit.
"He needs to get away from the gate well," said Baffert.
The trainer has his top Derby prospects Life Is Good and Concert Tour aimed toward the April 3 Santa Anita Derby (G1) and April 10 Arkansas Derby (G1) at Oaklawn, respectively.
Spielberg had a productive six-race juvenile campaign, in which he finished second in the Runhappy Del Mar Futurity (G1) at Del Mar and third in the American Pharoah Stakes (G1) at Santa Anita before breaking his maiden in his fourth start. He went on to win the Los Alamitos Futurity (G2) at Los Alamitos Race Course two starts later.
Spielberg was a $1 million purchase at the 2019 Keeneland September Yearling Sale from the Lane's End consignment. The colt is owned by SF Racing, Starlight Racing, Madaket Stables, Golconda Stables, Sienna Farm, and Robert Masterson.