Steve Andersen

Reporter at Daily Racing Form

Covering West Coast and international racing for Daily Racing Form.

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Articles

Rispoli: Journalism will see different kind of race in KY Derby

2 weeks 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

3 weeks 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

1 month 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

1 month 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

1 month 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.
Sadler seeks first stakes win of meet with Alpha Bella

1 month ago | attheraces.com | Steve Andersen

By Steve Andersen, Daily Racing FormTrainer John Sadler will be after his first stakes win since early November when Alpha Bella starts in Saturday’s Grade 1 Beholder Mile for fillies and mares at Santa Anita. Alpha Bella was withdrawn from the Grade 2 Buena Vista Stakes on turf at Santa Anita last Saturday. A 5-year-old, Alpha Bella worked a half-mile in 47 seconds on Sunday for the $300,000 Beholder Mile. “She looked beautiful,” Sadler said.
Mi Hermano Ramon to target Kilroe Mile

2 months ago | attheraces.com | Steve Andersen

By Steve Andersen, Daily Racing FormMi Hermano Ramon, winner of the Grade 2 Seabiscuit Handicap at Del Mar in November and fourth in the Grade 1 Pegasus World Cup Turf at Gulfstream Park on Jan. 25, is a probable starter in the Grade 1 Frank Kilroe Mile at Santa Anita on March 1. Trainer Mark Glatt said on Friday that Mi Hermano Ramon’s status for the Kilroe Mile will be determined by how the 5-year-old gelding trains through February.
There Goes Harvard tries to end long drought

2 months ago | attheraces.com | Steve Andersen

By Steve Andersen, Daily Racing FormNearly 32 months have passed since There Goes Harvard last won, in the Grade 1 Hollywood Gold Cup at 1 1/4 miles on dirt at Santa Anita. Two lengthy layoffs, including one caused by illness, has limited the 7-year-old to eight losses since that race in the spring of 2022.