Baze Closing In on Shoemaker

Jockey Russell Baze begins another week of racing at Golden Gate Fields within reach of a significant milestone.

With 8,825 career victories, Baze is eight shy of tying the late Bill Shoemaker for second on the all-time list, trailing only Laffit Pincay, Jr.

Baze, who had two victories Monday, is named on five horses today at Golden Gate, where, as usual, he leads the standings by a considerable margin over closest pursuer Frank Alvarado.

After missing the first two races on the card, Baze will ride Lanita G in the third, a 1 1/16 mile for $8,000 maiden fillies and mares, Treetop’s Glory in the fifth, Guaritta in the sixth, Crisane in the seventh and Miss Shawnie in the eighth.

A 3-year-old Dance Brightly filly owned by breeder Billingsley Creek Ranch and trained by Lloyd Mason, Crisane will be favored in the seventh, a $30,000 optional claimer at six furlongs, as she seeks her fourth victory in seven starts.

Miss Shawnie, meanwhile, will be looking for her third victory in a row for owner Greg Avery and trainer Art Sherman in the day’s finale, a $10,000 claimer for 4-year-old fillies at six furlongs.

Race of the day: Trickey Trevor will be trying for his fourth consecutive victory in his Santa Anita debut in today’s sixth, a $52,000 optional claimer at 6 1/2 furlongs. Victor Espinoza will ride the 6-year-old Demaloot Demashoot horse for owner Bob Bone and trainer John Martin against Ride And Shine, Fonz’s, Kewen, Siren Lure, Fairly Crafty, Outofthe Blue Slew and C.J.’s Honour. Martin re-claimed Trickey Trevor for Bone on Dec. 10 for $50,000 after losing him for $40,000 less than a month earlier.

One for the road: Royal Footage won easily in his only other start over the Turf Paradise grass course and could make his 2005 debut a winning one in today’s third at the Arizona track. Scott Stevens will ride the 6-year-old Royal Academy gelding for trainer Bart Hone in the $16,000 claimer at 4 1/2 furlongs.

Exotically speaking: A pick three using Trendy Copy in the first, Viva El Gato, Consolidated Fact and Tribe in the second and Hot Market and Que Borges in the third.

Winners: Previous day/meet total: 2/47. Money: Previous day/meet total: $6.80/$257.60. Total money bet: $292.