BAZE ON BRINK OF CAREER WIN No. 10,000
AFTER GOING 2-FOR-6 AT GGF THURSDAY
Jockey Russell Baze put himself on the brink of career victory
No. 10,000 by riding a pair of winners Thursday at Golden Gate Fields.
Baze recorded his victories aboard Northland Glory, who posted a wire-to-wire triumph in the fourth race, and Judged, who led from start to finish in the eighth. Both
horses were favored in the betting, with Northland Glory paying $5.20 after romping home by five lengths and Judged $4.40 after scoring by three lengths.
Baze, who heads into Friday’s card with 9,999 wins, came up a photo finish short of reaching 10,000 victories Thursday. Baze and odds-on favorite Swishing Tiger lost the fifth race by a head to I. C. Rosie ($13.00).
Baze’s other mounts Thursday were Count Coup (who finished sixth in the third race),
Coronado’s Way (seventh in the sixth race), and Shining Day (third in the seventh race).
Baze is listed to ride seven horses Friday, however, it is expected he will end up with six mounts. Baze’s agent, Ray Harris, said Joyful Me, Baze’s call in the seventh race, is expected to be scratched Friday morning.
Post time Friday is 12:45 p.m. and Baze rides Brass Tacks (3-to-1 on the morning line) in the opener. His other scheduled mounts are Flirting for Love (7-to-2) in the second race, Two Step Cat (2-to-1) in the third, Jaywalking (8-to-5) in the fifth, Royal Wager (8-to-5) in the sixth, and Knoblock (even-money) in the eighth.
A Hall of Famer, Baze is the winningest jockey in North American horse racing history.