If he was born in one other 12 months, Baeza may be very more likely to win the triple crown race on his resume. Actually, he would have received a Grade 1 race earlier than the Pennsylvania Derby on September twentieth at Parx Racing.
As a substitute, McKinsey Colt took half in 1,000,000 greenback race in search of his first stakes victory as a 7-5 favourite, writing a groundbreaking victory within the 1 1/8 mile race. The Pennsylvania Derby wasn’t a “profitable and also you’re in” Problem Sequence race, however Baeza should not have any downside qualifying for the 2025 Longines Breaders’ Cup Basic after a dominant 2¼-length victory to enrich the third-year junior placement on his report.
Outcomes: Baeza was unleashed in December 2024 along with his profession debut on the grass with Del Mar.
Half Brother (similar dam (mom), completely different stallions (father)) and 2023 Kentucky Derby winner Majer and 2024 Belmont Stakes winner Dornock, Baeza made his stakes debut on April fifth within the Grade 1 Santa Anita Derby. He opened up a transparent lead in his fourth career-starting stretch, however was caught late in journalism overwhelmed three-quarters lengthy with odds of 14.30-1 whereas ending in entrance of champion Citizen Bull. It debuted within the promising stakes that Preakness Stakes and Neela later flattened by the journalistic victory he guess on the Haskell Stakes.
Baeza went on to complete third behind the sovereignty and journalism offered by the Belmont Stakes, offered by the Woodford Reserve. After one other runner-up to sovereignty on the Grade 2 Gymnasium Dandistakes introduced by Mohegansan on the Saratoga race course on July twenty sixth, Baeza ran his eyeballs in 4 consecutive massive stakes races and received the victory to point out it. That modified within the Pennsylvania Derby.
Jockey Hector Belios saved Baeza’s power early within the race. Baeza accelerated with the cue on the ultimate flip, recovering powerfully from 4 broad stretches, surged to clear within the closing eighth mile of 12.65, profitable by 2¼ size. Baeza accomplished his closing three furlongs with round 37.10 to safe an elusive stakes victory.
“This was a really nice expertise,” mentioned coach John Silef. “We’re approaching some massive races and right now he is put all of it collectively.”
Velocity numbers: Baeza scored a career-high 116 equestrian speeds within the Pennsylvania Derby victory, a five-point bounce from his earlier greatest, and elevated Beyer Velocity’s numbers to a brand new high of 105. Born on Could thirteenth, Baeza seems to be a really younger foal in his crop, with a crisp upward trajectory by numbers.
Future headlines: Shirreffs mentioned Each day Race Kind Baeza proprietor, CRK Secure and Grandview Equine (his breeder) needs to check the very best of the very best on the Finest Breeders’ Cup Basic, November 1st, January 1st, at Del Mar. If he emerges from victory in good kind and Shirev is proud of how he’ll react within the coming weeks, then Baeza must be effectively positioned for his first try at an older horse.
Classics are anticipated to lure each sovereignty and journalism, seducing a strong group of older males, together with final 12 months’s winner Sierra Leone, champion depth and a number of Grade 1 winner thoughts frames.
This may very well be one of many deepest fields in current reminiscence of the Breeders’ Cup Basic, however Baeza has by no means been worse than third place within the soil whereas going through elite competitors. His dam, Puka, has established himself as a celebrity chick, and Baeza is clearly bettering later in his 3-year-old season. Baeza may be very more likely to have to vary the desk of sovereignty and take one other step to take down the very best older males, however he’s a fighter who brings it to all races and he has by no means gotten higher. I purchase Baeza shares as a result of I’ve so many issues I like. He’s typically utilized in my Breeders’ Cup Basic tickets.
