$1 Million Spielberg to Face Monomoy Girl Half Brother

In a year that has had schedules disrupted, Bob Baffert continues to unleash maidens from his stable, which seems to have a never-ending supply of top prospects. His newest unveiling is Spielberg, who is slated to contest a six-furlong maiden special weight Aug. 8 at Del Mar. Owned by SF Racing, Starlight Racing, Madaket Stables, Golconda Stables, Siena Farm, and Robert Masterson, the 2-year-old Union Rags colt was bought at last year's Keeneland September Yearling Sale for $1 million from the Lane's End consignment. Bred in Kentucky by G. Watts Humphrey Jr., Spielberg is out of the Smart Strike mare Miss Squeal. Spielberg's third dam, Dream Deal, is the dam of grade 1 winner Clear Mandate and grade 2 winner Dream Scheme. Dream Scheme is in turn the third dam of grade 1 winner Romantic Vision. "Spielberg, he's a beautifully bred horse. He's pretty pricey, but everything he's done I've liked. I think he's one of those horses that when we saw him, we all had to have him, which is why he was so expensive," Baffert laughed. "He has speed, but he looks like further is going to be better for him. I'm excited about him. If all goes well, he may go in the Del Mar Futurity (G1) and hopefully get him to the Breeders' Cup." The race, the last of 10 Saturday, will also feature first-time starter Superman Shaq, a Shackleford half brother to champion Monomoy Girl, grade 2 winner Mr. Monomoy, recent maiden winner Cowboy Diplomacy, and two other winners. His dam, Drumette, has a yearling filly by Mastery and a 2020 colt by Tapit. Superman Shaq was no slouch at the sale himself, bringing $550,000 from agent Justin Casse, who purchased the colt from the Wavertree Stables consignment to the Ocala Breeders' Sales Spring Sale of 2-Year-Olds in Training. The colt is trained by Peter Miller for owner Gary Barber. Last working five furlongs Aug. 2 in 1:00 3/5 from the gate on the main track at Del Mar, Superman Shaq has six timed works on the surface since July 3. One other of note in the race that drew a field of nine is Pam, Martin, and Lessee Wygod's Waspirant. Another untested 2-year-old son of Union Rags, he is trained by John Shirreffs and has also been working steadily at Del Mar since early July. A homebred for the Wygods, Waspirant is out of dual grade 1 winner Life Is Sweet, a daughter of Storm Cat and grade 1-placed Sweet Life, by Kris S.