BENSALEM, Pa. – Overshadowed by division stalwarts Sovereignty and Journalism throughout the spring and summer, Baeza stepped into the spotlight on the eve of autumn.  With Sovereignty and Journalism in their respective barns in Saratoga and Santa Anita Saturday afternoon, Baeza rolled to an authoritative 2 1/4-length victory in the $1 million Pennsylvania Derby at Parx Racing, securing a Grade 1 victory that his connections felt was long in coming.  “Today was one of the most exciting races I participated in just because of all the hope and everything we had for Baeza, all that buildup and working at the barn, working with him and being in the Kentucky Derby and Belmont,” said John Shirreffs, trainer of Baeza. “It was just like ‘this is it’ today.”  Baeza, a half-brother to classic winners Mage (2023 Kentucky Derby) and Dornoch (2024 Belmont Stakes), finished second to Journalism in the Santa Anita Derby in April. He was third behind Sovereignty and Journalism in both the Kentucky Derby and Belmont Stakes in May and June. In the Jim Dandy at Saratoga in July, Baeza was beaten just a length by Sovereignty, who came back to win the Grade 1 Travers in August by 10 lengths.  Shirreffs felt Baeza handled all his races well and was improving and maturing throughout the season, and he came into Saturday feeling confident. :: Access the most trusted data and information in horse racing! DRF Past Performances and Picks are available now. nder Hector Berrios, Baeza was second-to-last in the 10-horse field going into the first turn of the 1 1/8-mile Pennsylvania Derby. The pace was solid as So Sandy, David of Athens, and Goal Oriented were three across the track through a half-mile in 47.38 seconds. There was a quartet of horses – Magnitude, Altobelli, Big Truzz, and Gosger – ahead of Baeza before Altobelli, a 169-1 shot, retreated.  Entering the far turn, Baeza launched his bid. At the quarter-pole, he moved into second behind Goal Oriented, who, under Irad Ortiz Jr, had taken over from So Sandy and Gosger. Baeza wrested the lead from Goal Oriented above the eighth pole and gradually drew away. Magnitude, whose previous success had come when he raced on the lead, rallied from off the pace to finish second, two lengths clear of Goal Oriented.  So Sandy finished fourth, followed by Big Truzz, Gosger, Mo Plex, Happily Delusional, David of Athens, and Altobellli.  Baeza, a son of McKinzie owned by Lee and Susan Searing’s C R K Stable and Robert Clay’s Grandview Equine, covered the distance in 1:48.03 (105 Beyer Speed Figure) and returned $4.80 as the 7-5 favorite.  “It’s very gratifying,” Shirreffs said. “We were close in some of the big races. Today, he put it all together. He was tactical, he had a kick, he did everything today.”  The victory was also gratifying for Berrios, who had ridden Baeza to his maiden victory in February and to a runner-up finish in the Santa Anita Derby. Flavien Prat rode Baeza in the Kentucky Derby and Belmont before Berrios got the mount back for the Jim Dandy.  “For my career, I’m very happy,” Berrios said. “Now he might run in the [Breeders’ Cup] Classic? I don't know. You’d have to speak with the trainer and the owner. Maybe we’ll go to the Breeders’ Cup. I’m very happy. I thank the Lord, and the confidence from the owner, and bringing my family here, it’s perfect. The perfect day.”  Shirreffs was noncommittal about the Breeders’ Cup, but his eyes grew bright and wide when asked if he would like to run Baeza as a 4-year-old.  “Absolutely, my goodness, yeah,” Shirreffs said. “Can’t wait.”  While the Pennsylvania Derby was a breakthrough race for Baeza, it was a bounce-back performance from Magnitude, who was beaten 20 3/4 lengths by Sovereignty in the Travers. Jockey Ben Curtis said Magnitude didn’t break as sharply as he had in his monstrous victories in the Grade 2 Risen Star in February and Iowa Derby in July, but he did handle the surface better than in the Travers and came with a strong late run to secure second.  “I said last time the surface was his undoing. He just didn’t seem to enjoy it,” Curtis said. “Whereas today, he traveled with that zest, he picked up and he galloped out fantastic. Was it the smoothest of trips today? You got to play the break. He didn’t get his usual kick away from there, so he had to adapt and he did that. I love the way he quickened all the way to the line.”  Steve Asmussen, the trainer of Magnitude, said his colt’s performance allowed him to put the bad race in the Travers behind him.  “You don’t worry about it. It’s over,” Asmussen said. “We have a nice horse going forward. Physically, I always thought he’s going to be a way better 4-year-old. He’s all frame. After how disappointed we were in the Travers, this isn’t exactly what we wanted, but it’s a big step forward.”  It was a big step forward for Baeza as well. Whether he gets another chance at Sovereignty in the Breeders’ Cup Classic in six weeks remains to be seen.  “I always look forward to a shot at Sovereignty. We were [within] one length,” Shirreffs said, referring to the Jim Dandy. “Maybe we can make that up. We’ll see. That’s in the future.” Shirreffs, as dusk began to creep in on the second-to-last day of summer, was content to live in the present. :: Want to learn more about handicapping and wagering? 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