Michael Baze dead

Jockey Michael Baze, the leading rider at Arlington Park last year, was found

dead in his car in the Churchill Downs stable area Tuesday afternoon. Foul play

is not suspected in the death of the 24-year-old, according to Louisville,

Kentucky, police.

A member of the famed Baze riding family in the western part of the United

States, Baze was the son of retired jockey Mike Baze and counted as a first cousin

Southern Californian jockey Tyler Baze. Hall of Famer Russell Baze, the all-time

winningest rider in North American history, is a first cousin of his father.

Baze had last rode at Keeneland on April 29. Scheduled to ride at the current

spring/summer meet at Churchill Downs, he was named to his first mount on

Thursday.

A native of Renton, Washington, Baze launched his career in 2003 and enjoyed

his best season in 2007, winning riding titles at Del Mar and Hollywood Park's

spring/summer meet. He won a total of 918 races from 6,968 starts, with his

mounts earning more than $32.4 million.