Baze rides in 50,000th Thoroughbred race

Russell Baze was honored in the Golden Gate winner’s circle following his 50,000th Thoroughbred race (Vassar Photography)

Hall of Fame jockey Russell Baze reached an incredible
milestone Friday at Golden Gate Fields when he competed in his 50,000th
Thoroughbred race.

Although he finished third aboard the six-year-old Gotham City mare
Finish Rich in Nyc, Baze was allowed to enter the winner’s circle following the
race for a photograph commemorating his historic ride. Baze’s colleagues in the
Golden Gate Fields jockey colony and track officials jammed in for the
photograph.

Baze, who swept the first three races on Friday’s card, has
amassed 11,839 victories from his 50,000 mounts. Both the win total and mount
total are North American racing records.

How impressive is it to ride in 50,000 races? Equibase,
horse racing’s official record keepers, determined the distance of Baze’s races
total more than 42,924 miles and the total elapsed time of those races equals
nearly 48 days. Since the circumference of the earth is 24,901.55 miles,
Equibase’s stats show that Baze has raced around the world 1.72 times.

Baze added another North American record to his resume on Friday (Vassar Photography)

Baze, at age 54, believes he is riding as well now as he
ever has.

“I don’t think my physical skills have diminished any at
all,” he asserted. “I get the odd ache and pain here and there but it’s
manageable.”

Baze said he still has great passion for riding races and
doesn’t plan to quit anytime soon.

“I’m the kind of guy that likes playing games and winning,” the veteran rider
explained. “And when I can do it against the younger guys, it kind of adds a
little extra thrill to it. I figure in 2016 I’ll have 40 years in, and so, that
might be enough. But I’ll cross that bridge when I get there.”

Baze admitted that people find it hard to believe that he
hasn’t retired from the saddle.

“The other day I had to get a part for a door knob and the guy I bought it
from says, ‘hey, I know you, are you still riding?'” Baze grinned. “That’s
always the first thing they ask me.”

Baze will be riding Saturday when racing resumes at Golden Gate Fields. Post
time is 12:45 p.m. (PST) and Baze has seven mounts on the nine-race card.