By Steve Sherack
In this continuing series, TDN's Senior Editor Steve Sherack catches up with the connections of promising maidens to keep on your radar.
The highly regarded Spielberg (c, 2, Union Rags-Miss Squeal, by Smart Strike), runner-up on debut as the 4-5 favorite for Hall of Famer Bob Baffert in a quickly run maiden special weight at Del Mar Aug. 8 (video), is currently being aimed at the GI Runhappy Del Mar Futurity Sept. 7.
Campaigned in partnership by SF Racing LLC, Starlight Racing, Madaket Stables LLC, Golconda Stables, Siena Farm LLC and Robert E. Masterson, Spielberg brought $1 million at last year's Keeneland September Sale, the co-highest price of 60 yearlings to change hands by his promising young sire in 2019.
“He's definitely one of the stars of the stable,” SF Racing's Tom Ryan said. “We do have lofty expectations.”
Carrying the name of legendary film director and producer Steven Spielberg and boasting an eye-catching worktab lined with bullets, the word was certainly out ahead of the flashy chestnut's six-furlong unveiling earlier this month.
Debuting with blinkers, he broke sharply from his outside draw and kept the early leaders within his scope in third through a quarter mile in :22.27. He ranged up three wide heading into the far turn and challenged for command at the top of the stretch, but couldn't keep pace down the lane with the ultra-impressive third-time starter Dr. Schivel (Violence), who drew clear to score by 5 3/4 lengths.
Spielberg earned a 73 Beyer Speed Figure for the effort while the winner was awarded an 86 rating.
“I thought his first race was a very good effort and he came out of it in great shape,” Ryan said. “He will have gotten an education from it and he was beaten by what looks like a very nice colt as well.”
Spielberg returned to the worktab with a four-furlong spin in :49 (32/69) at Del Mar Aug. 17 (XBTV video).
“I texted Bob yesterday,” Ryan said. “We had two colts work-($610,000 KEESEP yearling) Tarantino (Pioneerof the Nile) and Spielberg. I said, 'How did the two directors do?' He said, 'Both went great.' He's very happy with him. He just cruised around there and went on his own. He seems to be ultra- professional and very straight forward to deal with.”
Bred in Kentucky by G. Watts Humphrey, Jr. and out of the three-time winner Miss Squeal, Spielberg hails from the extended female family of Grade I winners Dream Deal, Clear Mandate, Strong Mandate, et al.
Other standouts by Union Rags out of Smart Strike mares include: Union Strike, who broke her maiden in the 2016 GI Del Mar Debutante S.; and the stakes-winning Still There, who completed the exacta in Saratoga's GI Ballerina S. two summers ago.
Ryan concluded, “What he accomplishes as a 2-year-old would be a nice entree to what I hope he's capable of as a 3-year-old.”
Previous standouts featured in 'Second Chances' include: GI Runhappy Santa Anita Derby winner Honor A. P. (Honor Code), Royal Ascot G2 Norfolk S. runner-up Golden Pal (Uncle Mo), MGISW and 'TDN Rising Star' Paradise Woods (Union Rags), GSW Backyard Heaven (Tizway), MSW and 'TDN Rising Star' Gidu (Ire) (Frankel {GB}) and GII Fasig-Tipton Fountain of Youth S. runner-up Candy Tycoon (Twirling Candy).
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