Baeza proves its value in Pennsylvania Derby

One of the great things of sport can be the conversation that it creates when measuring one competitor against another in philosophical terms. Who is better and how good you are really always points of gnawles. For a thriving three -year -old thoroughbred, the Pennsylvania Derby was entirely about the correct answers to those who think about the quality of this foal.

Baeza came on September 20 full of potential in class 1 Pennsylvania Derby. After he had flashed Brilliance while he finished second in the Santa Anita Derby, third in the Kentucky Derby, and second in the Jim Dandy Stakes, this son of McKinzie was still looking for a graded victory. After beating the best in the division at the beginning of April, this trainee from John Shirrreffs was ready for a new measuring stickrace.

Baeza walked into Gate Eight as the favorite in a field of ten and looked each bit of a degree 1 -hardgop. After being a physical and mental mental and mental, he hoped that he would realize the potential that he had sometimes flashed. During sections of his previously assessed commitment, he had been excellent to bring himself in position to win, but the deal simply did not close. A complete effort was what his conditioner was looking for. Having a pony with potential is good. Having a runner who produces results is better.

The gates opened for this mile and an eighth trip with a wallet of $ 1 million with Baeza near the back of the field in the early stages of the race. So Sandy led the group through the first three quarters of a mile while he threw down fixed but non -burning fractions (23.01 Opening Quarter, 26.63 half miles, 1: 10.51 three -quarters). Jockey Hector Berrios rolled up the rear piece and kept Baeza focused and in the race. With the aim in the long turn, the great potential for this grandson of Big Brown became.

While Berrios started his load outside, a determined drive Baeza bolt to the top of the piece saw bolt. Ending with a flowering it was all smiling for Shirreffs and his team as the horse he called as one of the best three -year -olds in the game was exactly that. Baeza crossed the thread a targeted 2 ¼ lengths to the good, Baeza was much the best.

“Every game comes with hope and dreams,” says Shirreffs, who has trained the beautiful Zenyatta to nineteen victories in twenty career start. “Baeza ran to us with an emotional victory.”

The Pennsylvania Derby score achieved the record for Baeza to two victories, three seconds and two -thirds in eight career startingist. His gain on the track is just over $ 1.5 million. The next step is for these foal ownership of CRK Stables and GrandView Equine must be determined.