Baeza likely for Pennsylvania Derby

Baeza, second or third in four major stakes for 3-year-olds since early April, is likely to run in the Grade 1 Pennsylvania Derby at Parx Racing on Sept. 20, trainer John Shirreffs confirmed on Wednesday.

Owned by Lee and Susan Searing’s CRK Stables, Baeza finished second by a length to divisional leader Sovereignty in the Grade 2 Jim Dandy Stakes at Saratoga on July 26 in his last start. Earlier this year, Baeza was third in the Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs and Belmont Stakes at Saratoga.

Meanwhile, there will be no more starts this year for the impeccably bred two-time winner Eagles Flight, trainer John Sadler said.

Eagles Flight, a half-brother to 2022 Horse of the Year Flightline, has been turned out for a rest with an eye on a comeback in 2026. Eagles Flight was fourth in an allowance at Santa Anita on June 13 in his last start. A 4-year-old by Curlin, Eagles Flight has won 2 of 5 starts for the partnership of Hronis Racing, Summer Wind Equine, and W.S. Farish.

“It will be next year by the time we get him trained up,” Sadler said.

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