By J.N. Campbell
6th-Santa Anita, $60,500, Msw, 2-14, 3yo, 1m, 1:37.84, ft, 4 3/4 lengths.
BAEZA (c, 3, McKinzie–Puca {SW & GSP, $299,406}, by Big Brown) debuted over the grass at Del Mar Dec. 1 and finished a well-beaten ninth. Switching to the main track at Santa Anita Jan. 4, the pricey Keeneland September buy was the runner-up behind 'TDN Rising Star' Rodriguez (Authentic). Backed at the windows as the 2-1 second choice here, the bay came running out of the blocks to shadow a longshot into the first turn. The 3-year-old waited patiently for his cue and when the pacesetter began to lose steam around the far turn he took over the top spot. In control down the lane, Baeza sailed home to get his picture taken by 4 3/4 lengths over Mellencamp (Constitution).
“We hope so,” trainer John Shirreffs said about Baeza joining the Derby trail. “It's that time of year where you try those things. We'll see how he comes out. I'll talk with [owner Lee Searing] and we'll make a decision.”
The winner is a half-brother to Mage (Good Magic), GISW, $2,507,450, Dornoch (Good Magic), MGISW, $2,427,275, and Gunning (Gun Runner), MSP, $278,835. John Stewart purchased Puca for $2.9 million during the 2023 Keeneland November Sale while a colt by Good Magic was in-utero. The well-regarded dam was bred back to that same sire for this season. Baeza's stakes placed second dam is responsible for GI Woodford Reserve Turf Classic Stakes hero and recently relocated sire Finnegans Wake (Powerscourt {GB}). Sales History: $1,200,000 Ylg '23 KEESEP. Lifetime Record: 3-1-1-0, $48,500. Click for the Equibase.com chart or VIDEO, sponsored by FanDuel TV.
O-C R K Stable LLC and Grandview Equine; B-Grandview Equine (KY); T-John A. Shirreffs.
#5 BAEZA ($6.40), the half brother to MAGE and DORNOCH, breaks his maiden in the 6th race at @santaanitapark.
The three-year-old colt by McKinzie (@Gainesway) was ridden by @HIBerrios for trainer John Shirreffs. pic.twitter.com/p1zRmv5Sc1
— FanDuel Racing (@FanDuel_Racing) February 14, 2025
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