Baeza (8) bests field in Pennsylvania Derby. (Taylor Ejdys/EQUI-PHOTO)
Paul Halloran/Parx Racing
BENSALEM, Pa.—Standing on the rail between the finish line and the first turn at Parx Racing, John Shirreffs waited until the horses were several strides past the wire before he lifted his arms over his head, fists clenched and looked to the sky. Finally, he had something to celebrate.
Baeza was a bridesmaid no more, after making a winning move on the far turn and coasting to a 2 1/4-length win Saturday in the Grade 1, $1 million betPARX Pennsylvania Derby.
“He needed to win something,” said Shirreffs, who had his unyielding faith in his well-traveled 3-year-old colt rewarded. “And to win the Pennsylvania Derby … Look at all the great horses that have won it. I was at dinner in the casino the other night watching the tape of the horses that have run in it. It’s a great group.”
The Southern California-based Shirreffs sent Baeza, owned by C R K Stable and breeder Grandview Equine, on a cross-country journey for the fourth time in five months. The previous trips were both satisfying and frustrating: third in the Kentucky Derby, third in the Belmont Stakes, second in the Jim Dandy. The winner of those races, Sovereignty, was 250 miles away at Bill Mott’s base at Saratoga Race Course when the Pennsylvania Derby was run Saturday. It was Baeza’s turn.
“Today was one of the most exciting races I have ever participated in, to tell you the truth,” Shirreffs said. “And that includes races with (2010 Horse of the Year) Zenyatta. This was like, ‘prove yourself today.’ And he did. This was very gratifying. We have been close in some of the big races and today he put it all together.”
Rail runner So Sandy led a compact group into the first turn of the 1 1/8-mile race, with seven horses within three lengths of the lead as they turned down the backstretch. There were two lines of three horses across the track: So, Sandy, David of Athens and Goal Oriented, followed by Magnitude, Big Truzz and Gosger, through a quarter-mile in :23.01 and a half in :46.63.
Baeza started to advance under Hector Berrios and although the 7-5 favorite was still seventh after 6 furlongs in 1:10.51, he was only 4 lengths off the lead. By McKinzie and a half-brother to 2023 Kentucky Derby winner Mage and 2024 Belmont Stakes champion Dornoch, Baeza unleashed a furious rally on the far turn that saw him advance five places within a furlong, with only Goal Oriented left to catch. He did that before they reached the eighth pole and gave Shirreffs a stretch run, he could finally enjoy.
Magnitude closed for second, 2 lengths clear of Goal Oriented, with So Sandy fourth. The winning time was 1:48.03.
“For me, this is a new starting point and I like it,” said Berrios, who was taken off Baeza in the Kentucky Derby and Belmont but regained the mount in the Jim Dandy. “I wanted to close, because these horses were very quick, so for me it was just wait, wait, and at the three-eighths (pole), he was pumped and finally closed. For my career, I’m very happy.”
As he watched the race develop, Shirreffs was pleased to see Baeza stay in contact with the field.
“He was tactical, he had a kick, he did everything today,” Shirreffs said. “He broke OK, but it looked like he was maybe thinking about dropping back a little bit, but Hector was like ‘no, no, we are going to stay connected with the field.’ He willingly started creeping up and getting better position. The horse ran beautifully, Hector rode him perfectly and it was a great afternoon.”
The Pennsylvania Derby drew a large crowd that enjoyed perhaps the best weather in the history of the race, with temperatures in the low 70s and not a cloud in the sky. All-sources handle came in at $17.8 million, second highest in track history behind the $18.8 million that was wagered on the 2022 card that was headlined by Derby winner Taiba.
Quotes
Winning trainer John Shirreffs (Baeza): “This race was so exciting to me. It really was an exciting race. It was one of those races that you are so excited about after. Today was one of the most exciting races I have ever participated in, to tell you the truth. And that includes races that included Zenyatta. This was like, ‘prove yourself today.’ And he did. Because of all the hope we had for Baeza, all that build up and working at the barn. It was just like, ‘this is it today.’ ”
“This was very gratifying. We have been close in some of the big races and today, he put it all together. He was tactical, he had a kick, he did everything today. He broke ok, but it looked like he was maybe thinking about dropping back a little bit, but Hector (Berrios) was like ‘no, no, we are going to stay connected with the field.’ He did that and saved maybe a pinch of ground around the turn. He willingly started creeping up and getting better position. The horse ran beautifully, Hector rode him perfectly and it was a great afternoon.”
“Today was a big day for him because we had to do things differently. Here, we didn’t have a chance to school in paddock except for one time. But he handled everything so well. He has shown great signs of maturity. When he went to the Kentucky Derby, he was never exposed to anything. It was a eyes-pop-wide-open kind of deal for him. After the Derby, it took him a little while to refocus and calm down. Now, he can handle the races and not have to have a little down time.
“This is going to be a great ride home. (Shirreffs was scheduled to leave Pennsylvania Saturday night and fly back to California).
Is the Breeders’ Cup Classic next?: “I don’t know. We’ll see. I have to talk to (co-owner) Mr. (Lee) Searing about that.”
Winning jockey Hector Berrios (Baeza): “For me this is a new starting point and I like it. I wanted to close, because these horses were very quick, so for me it was just wait, wait, and at the three-eighths, he was pumped and finally closed. For my career, I’m very happy. Now he might run in the (Breeders’ Cup) Classic? I don’t know. You’d have to speak with the trainer and the owner, maybe we’ll go to the Breeders’ Cup. I’m very happy. I thank the Lord, and the confidence from the owner, and bringing my family here, it’s perfect. The perfect day. Now I go back to California.”
Winning owner co-owner Lee Searing of C R K Stable (Baeza): “He’s a late foal, and John is the perfect trainer. With this kind of horse, you’ve got to be really patient, and he was. When it was time to run, he ran three really good races against that big boy (Sovereignty) and he was just getting stronger. I don’t care who we run against; this horse is right there. If he’s not equal to them he’s right there.
Obviously with a horse like this, winning a Grade 1 is a big deal. He’s got that done now we can move onward. He’s just getting better, stronger, bigger. This was his best race. The Kentucky Derby, he kind of got blocked. Flavien Prat did a good job getting him through there. We could have gotten closer, and the Belmont was another story. In the Jim Dandy he only got beat a length. But here he just had so much horse. He overcame that bad start and ran a great race. John has done a great job and his crew.”
Trainer Steve Asmussen (Magnitude, second): “I’m pleased. It’s quite obvious that Baeza is one of the big three 3-year-olds. Those are exceptional 3-year-olds – Sovereignty, Journalism and Baeza. I was glad to see my horse not have everything go his way and still run on well. Obviously, it looks like he wants more ground. We can go ahead and toss the Travers out, as we did going into this. You don’t worry about it. It’s over. We have a nice horse going forward. Physically I always thought he’s going to be a way better 4-year-old. He’s all frame. After how disappointed we were in the Travers, this isn’t exactly what we wanted but it’s a big step forward.”
Jockey Ben Curtis (Magnitude second): “He just didn’t break his usual and as quick as he usually can. We had to go to Plan B. He traveled beautifully in behind. I would’ve swapped my gate all day for an outside one, because the position I was in, I had two on the outside and three on the inside, so I knew I was going to have to wait for my run. It came and he really quickened today. (In the Travers), it was his own doing. He didn’t really seem to enjoy it. Whereas today he traveled with that zest. He picked up and he galloped out fantastic. Was it the smoothest of trips today? You have to play the break. He didn’t get the usual kick from it. We had to adapt and to be honest with you, I love the way he quickened all the way to the line. The winner got first run on me and I was mowing into his lead, but it’s a short stretch here. It makes it hard to reel them back.”
Jockey Irad Ortiz Jr. (Goal Oriented, third): “I had a beautiful trip. I broke so good. I wanted to be involved in the race early and he put me there without using too much. I was so happy every step of the way. The winner went by me, but he kept fighting. He went all the way to the wire and fought for second place. Happy with his race.”
Jockey Kendrick Carmouche (So Sandy, fourth): “I had a perfect trip. I wanted to sit behind the speed, but my horse broke so good. I had the one hole, and I was not going to take that away from him. I thought he was running easy enough to be where I wanted him. Today was not his day. There were better horses in this spot, and he tried his best. He ran his race, no complaints at all.”
