Kentucky Derby Horse Profile: Spielberg
Dec 21, 2020
SF Racing, Starlight Racing, Madaket Stables, Golconda Stables, Siena Farm, and Robert Masterson’s Spielberg earned 10 points on the “2021 Road to the Kentucky Derby” when posting a nose victory in the$200,500 Los Alamitos Futurity (G2) on Dec. 19. The Bob Baffert juvenile completed 1 1/16 miles over a fast dirt surface in 1:42.56 with Flavien Prat in the stirrups to improve his lifetime line to 6-2-2-1, $257,200.
Spielberg made his debut on Aug. 8 at Del Mar in a 6-furlong maiden special weight dash and checked in second as the 4-5 favorite. The son of Union Rags was sent right to the Grade 1 ranks and was again runner-up, this time in the Del Mar Futurity (G1).
A third-place result followed in the American Pharoah (G1) at Santa Anita in his route debut, which preceded a narrow maiden victory traveling one mile at Del Mar. The youngster was most recently a well-beaten fourth in the Bob Hope (G3).
Bred in the Bluegrass State by G. Watts Humphrey, Spielberg brought the gavel down at a cool $1 million at the 2019 Keeneland September Yearling Sale. He is the first stakes star produced from the winning Smart Strike mare Miss Squeal, who counts herself a half-sister to a trio of black-type winners, including 2017 Curlin S. victor Outplay. This is the same female line as Grade 1 standouts Dream Deal, Clear Mandate, Strong Mandate, and Romantic Vision, as well as multiple graded hero Newfoundland.
Spielberg is from a stellar female line and has the pedigree that should carry him a classic distance as he develops into his 3-year-old season. The $1 million purchase is in expert hands with Baffert, and his six-race foundation as a 2-year-old will only aid him as he travels on the Triple Crown trail in 2021.
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