SF Racing LLC, Starlight Racing, Madaket Stable LLC, Golconda Stables, Siena Farm LLC and Robert Masterson's Spielberg (Union Rags) has been confirmed to contest the GI Curlin Florida Derby Mar. 27 at Gulfstream Park. Trained by Hall of Famer Bob Baffert, the 3-year-old is expected to face GIII Holy Bull S. and GI Fasig-Tipton Fountain of Youth S. winner Greatest Honour (Tapit) in the nine-furlong test that has produced the winners of 60 Triple Crown events.
“We'll see how he stacks up,” Baffert said Friday.
Spielberg, who is scheduled to breeze at Santa Anita Sunday before shipping to South Florida, most recently finished a well-beaten second behind Eclipse champion Essential Quality (Tapit) in the Feb. 27 GIII Southwest S. at Oaklawn Park.
“He's a great-feeling horse,” Baffert said about the colt's latest start. “He came out of that race in great shape.”
In his 2021 debut, the $1-million KEESEP purchase stumbled at the start of the GIII Robert B. Lewis S. at Santa Anita before finishing fourth behind Baffert-trained winner Medina Spirit (Protonico).
“He needs to get away from the gate well,” said Baffert of Spielberg's chances of winning the Florida Derby.
During his juvenile campaign, Spielberg finished second in the GI Del Mar Futurity and third in the GI American Pharoah S. at Santa Anita before breaking is maiden in his fourth start. He went on to win the GII Los Alamitos Futurity.
Not a subscriber? Click here to sign up for the daily PDF or alerts.
