Steve Andersen

Reporter at Daily Racing Form

Covering West Coast and international racing for Daily Racing Form.

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Articles

Baeza back at Santa Anita to prepare for Belmont

1 week ago | attheraces.com | Steve Andersen

By Steve Andersen, Daily Racing FormBaeza, who drew into the Kentucky Derby from the also-eligible list last week, returned to trainer John Shirreffs’s stable at Santa Anita on Tuesday evening. Baeza, who races for Lee and Susan Searing’s CRK Stable, will be based in California in the buildup to his next scheduled start, the Grade 1 Belmont Stakes at Saratoga on June 7. The Belmont is also expected to be the next start for Kentucky Derby winner Sovereignty.
Cabo Spirit holds off King of Gosford, notches upset in American Stakes

3 weeks ago | attheraces.com | Steve Andersen

By Steve Andersen, Daily Racing FormAs he ages, Cabo Spirit frequently races on the lead, a change from his style as a 3-year-old in 2022 when he won three stakes from off the pace. The current tactics work, too. Last September, Cabo Spirit won the richest race of his career in the Grade 2 John Henry Turf Championship by leading throughout the $753,000 race. On Sunday at Santa Anita, Cabo Spirit set the pace in the Grade 3 American Stakes and recorded a 6-1 upset over 4-5 King of Gosford.
Richi has no trouble with Santa Maria Stakes

3 weeks ago | attheraces.com | Steve Andersen

By Steve Andersen, Daily Racing FormSix weeks after she finished a game second in the Grade 1 Beholder Mile, Richi recorded her most prestigious stakes win in the United States with Saturday’s Grade 2 Santa Maria Stakes at Santa Anita. Richi was second behind an undefeated stablemate in Cavalieri in the $300,500 Beholder Mile at Santa Anita on March 8. Cavalieri was timed in 1:34.74, the fastest mile on dirt at Santa Anita since 2019.
Rispoli: Journalism will see different kind of race in KY Derby

1 month ago | attheraces.com | Steve Andersen

By Steve Andersen, Daily Racing FormPartially due to the excitement of winning the Grade 1 Santa Anita Derby hours earlier on Journalism, and partially because of late-night viewing of the Japanese Grand Prix, jockey Umberto Rispoli had trouble sleeping on Saturday night. Getting settled was not easy. There was a lot to review from Saturday’s program at Santa Anita, notably his winning ride on Journalism in the $500,000 Santa Anita Derby at 1 1/8 miles.
Kentucky Derby 2025: Hernandez confident Barnes can go the distance

1 month ago | attheraces.com | Steve Andersen

By Steve Andersen, Daily Racing FormJuan Hernandez, the dominant rider in Southern California the last few years, will be seeking his first win in the Grade 1 Santa Anita Derby on Saturday. In three previous attempts, Hernandez’s mounts have finished fifth or sixth. The most disappointing of those was Forbidden Kingdom, who was last of six in 2022 as the even-money favorite.
Baffert works four, led by Citizen Bull, for upcoming stakes

1 month ago | attheraces.com | Steve Andersen

By Steve Andersen, Daily Racing FormLed by Citizen Bull, the champion 2-year-old male of 2024, four of trainer Bob Baffert’s top 3-year-olds had workouts at Santa Anita on Sunday for upcoming stakes. Citizen Bull, winner of the Grade 3 Robert Lewis Stakes at a mile on Feb. 1 in his lone start this year, worked five furlongs in 59.80 seconds, a time that left Hall of Famer Baffert impressed. “He’s doing well,” Baffert said.
Baffert works quartet for Derby prep races

1 month ago | attheraces.com | Steve Andersen

By Steve Andersen, Daily Racing FormFour of trainer Bob Baffert’s leading 3-year-olds worked at Santa Anita on Monday, including Citizen Bull, the champion 2-year-old male of 2024. They are all expected to start in leading stakes in the buildup to the Triple Crown in coming weeks. Citizen Bull, winner of the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile at Del Mar in November, and the Grade 3 Robert Lewis Stakes on Feb. 1, worked six furlongs in 1:12 for a likely start in the Grade 1 Santa Anita Derby on April 5.
Freedom's Not Free prevails in delayed Pasadena Stakes

2 months ago | attheraces.com | Steve Andersen

By Steve Andersen, Daily Racing FormFreedom’s Not Free won his two-turn turf debut in Sunday’s $100,500 Pasadena Stakes for 3-year-olds at a mile at Santa Anita in a race that lost two key contenders to scratches and was delayed after concerns arose over the condition of the course earlier in the afternoon. Freedom’s Not Free ($3.80) stalked 7-1 Friendly Confines to early stretch before taking the lead under jockey Flavien Prat.
Legendary track announcer Denman announces retirement

2 months ago | attheraces.com | Steve Andersen

By Steve Andersen, Daily Racing FormEvery race fan has a favorite phrase made popular by track announcer Trevor Denman, who announced his retirement on Thursday from calling the action at the Del Mar summer meetings. If your pick was “moving like a winner,” rest assured there would be a payoff. Opening day at Del Mar each July had a common phrase to describe the start of the first race: “There’s the roar from the crowd.”There always was a hearty cheer from an enthusiastic crowd.
Baffert plans comebacks for older horses

2 months ago | attheraces.com | Steve Andersen

By Steve Andersen, Daily Racing FormThe 4-year-old Nysos and 5-year-olds Fort Bragg and Speed Boat Beach, all stakes winners, are nearing comebacks for trainer Bob Baffert. Baffert declined to state race goals for the trio on Sunday morning, but did say, “I’ll have some nice horses this spring.”Nysos, unbeaten in three starts by a combined 26 3/4 lengths in 2023 and early last year, worked five furlongs in 1:02.40 at Santa Anita on Saturday, his fifth workout in as many weeks.