Spielberg

Spielberg, named for Academy Award-winning movie director Steven Spielberg, finished second in his career debut Aug. 8 at Del Mar. Tested next against stakes competition, Spielberg held his own with a runner-up finish in the Grade 1 Del Mar Futurity.

Hall of Fame trainer Bob Baffert next sent the Union Rags colt to the Grade 1 American Pharoah Stakes, and in his first try around two turns Spielberg finished third, beaten by 5 ½ lengths by Get Her Number.

Baffert then entered Spielberg against maidens again and he earned his first career win, prevailing by a neck as the 9-10 favorite Nov. 1 at Del Mar.

Back against stakes competition and cutting back in distance for the Grade 3 Bob Hope Stakes at seven-eighths of a mile, Spielberg disappointed as the 3-to-5 favorite when fading to fourth, beaten by 9 ½ lengths.

Spielberg finally lived up to the high expectations Dec. 19 in the Grade 2 Los Alamitos Futurity when he closed resolutely through the stretch to nip The Great One by a nose for his first stakes win. The victory gave Baffert his seventh straight win in the race and his 13^th overall.

After running a well-beaten fourth in the Grade 3 Robert B. Lewis Stakes Jan. 30 at Santa Anita Park, Spielberg bounced back with a runner-up finish Feb. 27 in the Grade 3 Southwest Stakes at Oaklawn Park.

Spielberg is out of the winning Smart Strike mare Miss Squeal.