SARATOGA SPRINGS – As the Belmont Stakes approaches on Saturday, many horse racing enthusiasts are anticipating a potential rematch. However, there’s a chance this could also lead to three other contenders gaining attention.
Baeza made a strong late push in the Kentucky Derby on May 3, finishing just under two lengths behind Sovereignty, who won with Journalism in between. Journalism then claimed victory at the Preakness two weeks later while Sovereignty took a break.
Now, at the second Belmont Stakes held in Saratoga during renovations, Baeza is listed as a third favorite at 4-1, aiming for a shot at the Triple Crown.
“I had a tough time locating him during the Derby. The conditions were pretty muddy that day, but once he broke free, it was clear he was finishing stronger than any other horse,” trainer John Silef mentioned. Jockey Flavian Prat noted that he felt Baeza could have done even better if he had gotten a head start.
Shirreffs, a well-known trainer, previously worked with 2005 Kentucky Derby winner Giacomo and the 2009 Breeders’ Cup Classic champion Zenyatta.
With two Triple Crown victories under his belt, Prat won the 2019 Kentucky Derby and 2021 Preakness thanks to Rombauer.
Baeza has the opportunity to mark his place in history.
Should he win, his Broodmare, Puca, would be the first to produce three Triple Crown race champions, all in succession. Mage won the Kentucky Derby in 2023, and Dornock took the Belmont Stakes last year, both descendants of Puca and Good Magic.
Baeza shares a connection to McKinzie. Similar to Mage and Dornock, he spent his formative year and a half at Runnymed Farm in Paris, Kentucky.
“Baeza is a trainer’s dream. There’s really nothing I’d change about him,” Shirreffs stated. “He’s just the right weight and size, walks beautifully, and has a huge appetite. He’s truly the complete package.”
Baeza made history in 1963 as the first Latin American jockey to win the Kentucky Derby with Chateaugay.
Owner Micklepre, a donor to St. John’s Basketball, previously claimed the Belmont Stakes Championship with Mo Donegal in 2022 and finished second with Mindframe last year. This Saturday, he will enter a 30-1 shot named Uncaged, trained by Todd Pletcher and ridden by jockey Lewis Thirds.
Saez won last year’s Belmont Stakes piloting Dornoch.
Repole’s enthusiasm is directed toward securing an automatic entry for the Breeders’ Cup dirt mile, as he competes in the $1 million Metropolitan Handicap on Saturday.
Fierce competition for Saratoga’s summer signature event, the Travers Stakes, is expected in 2024.
On a different note, Giants Committee director Chris Mara celebrated a victory on Friday, part of the Bellacourse ownership group, which saw success in the first race with jockey John Velazquez and trainer Wesley Ward.
