Baze Is Closing In on 9,000

Jockey Russell Baze, the second-winningest rider in the history of thoroughbred racing, is approaching another milestone.

Baze, who trails only Laffit Pincay Jr. on the all-time list after passing Bill Shoemaker earlier this year, is a six wins shy of 9,000 for his career. Pincay, who retired in 2003, finished with 9,530 wins.

The runaway leader, as usual, in the standings at the current Golden Gate Fields meeting, Baze could reach the magic number today if he were to have a perfect day. He has mounts in six of the eight races on the program at Golden Gate.

Baze will ride Funny Way in the first, Tiryns in the second, Flag’s Magic in the fourth, Fortunate Chance in the sixth, Mahalo in the seventh and Somuch Higher in the eighth.

Mahalo, a 4-year-old Gulch filly trained by Art Sherman for a partnership, would have to be considered the most logical winner of any of the horses Baze rides today. Cutting back to six furlongs in the $33,000 optional claimer, Mahalo has won three of six sprints and hasn’t been worse than third in her career. This will be her first start at Golden Gate.

Race of the day: Four Checker, who won for the first time in 10 starts on turf May 12, will try for a repeat in today’s fifth at Hollywood Park. Owned by Paul J. Haggar and trained by Kristin Mulhall, Four Checker, a 6-year-old Bonus Money gelding, will have five opponents in the $80,000 claimer at one mile. Inesperado, Daryamar, Direct Male, Wild Buddy (who finished a head behind Four Checker last month) and He’s Crafty complete the field in a race which begins the late pick four.

One for the road: Wicked Wanda improved a bit when stretched out for the first time at Mountaineer Park on May 6 and can beat a weak field of maidens in her return to Thistledown in today’s fifth race. Scott Spieth will ride the Lac Quimet filly for owner Gerald Silver and trainer Jeff Radosevich in the $12,700 maiden affair for Ohio-bred fillies and mares at one mile.

Exotically speaking: An early pick four using Hollywoodsetright in the first, Desert Gal, Five Star Meeting and Highest Honoree in the second, Mass Transit and My Boy Joey in the third and Rusty Nail, Norway House and Colstrip in the fourth.

Winners: Previous day/meet total: 3/74. Money: Previous day/meet total: $13.80/$372.60. Total money bet: $486.