One race was downgraded from grade I to grade II for 2011: the Clement L. Hirsch Memorial Turf Championship S. at Oak Tree at Hollywood Park. The Pimlico Special at Pimlico was not eligible for grading in 2011.
LOUISVILLE, Ky. - Michael Baze, the leading jockey at Arlington Park last summer and a member of the famed Baze riding family of the western United States, was found dead Tuesday afternoon in his vehicle in the stable area of Churchill Downs. He was 24.
A Louisville Metro Police spokeswoman, Alicia Smiley, said Tuesday evening that police have undertaken an investigation into the death. Churchill spokesman John Asher said track officials were not at liberty to comment on the death.
Under investigation, no details have been released. Absolutely awful, 24 years old
Last edited by MiamiScreamingEagles: 05-10-2011 at 07:54 PM.
A 24-year-old jockey who rode this year's Kentucky Derby second-place finisher to his only win was found dead in his vehicle Tuesday at Churchill Downs.
Michael Baze of Glendora, Calif., was pronounced dead at 4:47 p.m. EDT in his vehicle parked in the stable area of the track, Jefferson County Deputy Coroner Jim Wesley said.
LOUISVILLE, Ky. – An autopsy performed on Michael Baze did not reveal a cause of death, and a toxicology report for the 24-year-old jockey may not be available for up to three weeks, the Jefferson County, Ky., coroner’s office announced Wednesday.
Baze, a former leading rider at Del Mar, Hollywood Park, and Arlington Park, was found dead by emergency workers Tuesday at 4:47 p.m. Eastern in the Churchill Downs stable area in his Cadillac Escalade, which apparently had been parked with the engine running throughout the day. The toxicology report will include a test for carbon-monoxide poisoning. Police say foul play is not suspected.
The body was found two days before Baze was due in court to face a charge of cocaine possession.
Quote:
Born in Renton, Wash., Baze began his riding career in 2003. His best year was 2007 when his mounts earned more than $9.3 million. In all, he won 918 races from 6,969 starts for mount earnings of $32.4 million.
Baze rode Nehro to a runner-up finish at 36-1 in the March 26 Louisiana Derby before being replaced by Corey Nakatani, who rode the colt to runner-up finishes in the April 16 Arkansas Derby and in the 137th Kentucky Derby last Saturday.
Also, NBC/VS will pick up eight one-hour blocks over 7 weekends from Saratoga, which includes the CCA Oaks, Alabama, and Travers being broadcast on NBC. Now, they just need to rescue the Breeders' Cup from ESPN.
Tomorrow in the 8th over at the hell hole known as Parx, there is a horse named Sean Avery. And it's a stakes race named after Sunday Silence. Which is strange.
1800 dollar exacta in the 2nd at Monmouth today. And no I did not have it. Hit for a 100 dollar exacta in the 5th, had the winner in that one too. Not much else doing for me though other than the even money favorite in the feature.
Noticed a lot of nice prices in the exotics today, hopefully that keeps up for the rest of the meet.
No matter.
With new entries Astrology, Concealed Identity, Dance City, Flashpoint, King Congie, Norman Asbjornson, and Sway Away listed as probable, the Preakness shapes up to be a difficult race to handicap, and an exciting race on paper.
First post Friday is noon Eastern, with the Black-Eyed Susan (race 10) set for 4:46. The Saturday card will be drawn Wednesday, with first post set for 10:45 a.m.
Here is a quick look at the other highlights of a 13-race Friday card:
* $75,000 Jim McKay Turf Sprint (race 5): A full gate of 14 older specialists has been entered in this five-furlong dash, which promises to be one of the best betting races of the weekend if it holds together. Heros Reward, an earner of more than $1.1 million, has Velazquez named to ride in a lineup that also includes such accomplished speedsters as Ju Jitsu Jax, Ben’s Cat, Blue Sailor, and Yield Bogey.
* $31,000 Legends for the Cure (race 7): Dedicated to raising funds and awareness for breast-cancer research, this six-furlong allowance is for retired female jockeys and will be limited to eight starters. Among those named to ride are Andrea Seefeldt, Abigail Fuller, Patti Cooksey, and Barbara Jo Rubin. This is the second year Pimlico has carded the "Legends’"race on the Preakness eve card.
* $75,000 Miss Preakness (race 9): This race typically draws a short field, but not this year - 12 3-year-old fillies, including a Wesley Ward entry, will clash at six furlongs in another outstanding wagering event. Dominguez gets the call on the unbeaten local, Bold Affair, who was assigned post 1. Other notables include Sweet Susan, Full Moon Blues, Strike the Moon, Fast Tip, Final Mesa, and R Holiday Mood.
* $75,000 The Very One (race 11): New York shippers Lady Rizzi (Dominguez) and Rose Catherine (Velazquez) look like the ones to beat in the filly-mare counterpart to the McKay. Threetimesawonder, a winner in 4 of her last 6, will ship from Delaware Park for Scott Lake as the one to catch in a well-matched field of 10 turf-sprinting distaffers.
* $75,000 Hilltop (race 13): In a fitting conclusion to what shapes up as a terrific betting card, a full field of 14 3-year-old fillies is scheduled to go 1 1/16 miles on the turf. Excited, a Todd Pletcher filly exiting the Ashland, has Velazquez named as a prominent contender, with the opposition including such capable routers as Mount Holiday, Frontside, Subpoena, Blushandbashful, and Ms Silver Oak.
No matter.
With new entries Astrology, Concealed Identity, Dance City, Flashpoint, King Congie, Norman Asbjornson, and Sway Away listed as probable, the Preakness shapes up to be a difficult race to handicap, and an exciting race on paper.
True to Tradition, who is a former BC runner and won the Turf Monster at then-Philly Park is in for the tag in a $31K Allowance-Optional Claiming. I kind of hate Black-Eyed Susan Day though. Can't give us ONE other graded stakes on a 13-race card?
True to Tradition, who is a former BC runner and won the Turf Monster at then-Philly Park is in for the tag in a $31K Allowance-Optional Claiming. I kind of hate Black-Eyed Susan Day though. Can't give us ONE other graded stakes on a 13-race card?
For the Preakness, the draw is supposedly around 5:30 p.m. ET tomorrow (Wednesday).
I had Colonel Moran, who finished third, in 1980. That race was #2 on this list.
Some great races in the group.
Sunday Silence, who shouldn't have beat Easy Goer, except for a poor judged ride by Pat Day.
Affirmed beating the frustrated Alydar.
Codex, with Cordero fouling Genuine Risk by taking her into the grandstand to win.
The Afleet Alex stumble.
But the best had to be the Silver Charm win. Touch Gold had a tough time down inside.
Race 10 - 4:46 PM EXACTA, TRIFECTA & 10 CENT SUPERFECTA / 50 CENT PICK 3 (RACES 10-11-12) 50 CENT PICK 4 (10-11-12-13) / 1st HALF OF BLACK-EYED SUSAN / PREAKNESS DOUBLE
STAKES Black-Eyed Susan S. (Grade II)
Purse $250,000. For Fillies, Three-Years-Old. By free subscription. $1250 to pass the entry box, $1250 additional to start, with $250,000 Guaranteed.of which 60% to the winner, 20% to second, 11% to third, 6% to fourth and 3% to fifth. Supplemental nominations of $2,500 each will be accepted by the usual time of entry with all other fees due as noted. Weight 122 Lbs. Non-winners of a Sweepstakes at one mile or over allowed, 2 Lbs.; $60,000 at one mile or over, 4 Lbs.; $50,000 at one mile or over 6 Lbs. (Maiden, Claiming and Starter races not considered in estimating allowances). Trophy to the winning owner . Nominations closed Tuesday May 10, 2011 with 28 nominations. One And One Eighth Miles.
P# PP Horse Virtual Stable A/S Med Jockey Wgt Trainer M/L
1 1 Royal Delta (KY) 3/F LA J Lezcano 116 W I Mott 3/1
2 2 Hot Summer (VA) 3/F L R A Dominguez 122 D Fawkes 5/2
3 3 Coax Liberty (KY) 3/F LA G K Gomez 116 J L Lawrence, II 8/1
4 4 Wyomia (KY) 3/F L J R Leparoux 122 C L Garrison 9/5
5 5 Buster's Ready (VA) 3/F LA J R Velazquez 116 T A Pletcher 8/1
6 6 Love Theway Youare (KY) 3/F L J Rosario 116 M K Cho 12/1
Owners: 1 - Palides Investments N.V., Inc.; 2 - Harold L. Queen; 3 - Copper Penny Stables; 4 - Beverly Anderson & Edward Seltzer; 5 - Estate of Edward P. Evans; 6 - Myung Kwon Cho
Breeders: 1 - Palides Investments N.V., Inc.; 2 - Lazy Lane Farms, Inc.; 3 - My Meadowview LLC; 4 - Marilyn Seltzer and Edward Seltzer; 5 - Edward P. Evans; 6 - Christopher Dragone
PP Horse Trainer Jockey Odds
1. Astrology Steve Asmussen Mike Smith 15-1
2. Norman Asbjornson Christopher Grove Julien Pimentel 30-1
3. King Congie Tom Albertrani Robby Albarado 20-1
4. Flashpoint Wesley A. Ward Cornelio Velasquez 20-1
5. Shackleford Dale Romans Jesus Castanon 12-1
6. Sway Away Jeff Bonde Garrett Gomez 15-1
7. Midnight Interlude Bob Baffert Martin Garcia 15-1
8. Dance City Todd Pletcher Ramon Dominguez 12-1
9. Mucho Macho Man Kathy Ritvo Rajiv Maragh 6-1
10. Dialed In Nick Zito Julien Leparoux 9-2
11. Animal Kingdom H. Graham Motion John Velazquez 2-1
12. Isn't He Perfect Doodnauth Shivmangal Edgar Prado 30-1
13. Concealed Identity Eddie Gaudet Sheldon Russell 30-1
14. Mr. Commons John Shirreffs Victor Espinoza 20-1
Weights: 126 each. Distance: 1 3-16 miles. Purse: $1 million. First place: $600,000. Second place: $200,000. Third place: $110,000. Fourth place: $60,000. Post time: 6:19 p.m. EDT.
Last edited by MiamiScreamingEagles: 05-18-2011 at 07:14 PM.
Some great races in the group.
Sunday Silence, who shouldn't have beat Easy Goer, except for a poor judged ride by Pat Day.
Affirmed beating the frustrated Alydar.
Codex, with Cordero fouling Genuine Risk by taking her into the grandstand to win.
The Afleet Alex stumble.
But the best had to be the Silver Charm win. Touch Gold had a tough time down inside.
Chris McCarron did a nice recovery in that race. The Captain might have been my ultimate tease.
