Baze records 3,000th career victory

ARCADIA, Calif. – Jockey Tyler Baze recorded his 3,000th Thoroughbred win in the United States aboard Gypsy Tears in Sunday’s ninth race at Santa Anita.

Gypsy Tears, trained by Val Brinkerhoff, closed from seventh in a field of 10 to win a starter allowance at six furlongs. Gypsy Tears paid $36.20.

In the winner’s circle, an emotional Baze dedicated the win to his family.

“The only thing that would be better is if my kids and family were here, but they’re on vacation,” Baze said. “I can’t wait for them to get back.

“I’m doing this for my kids. My kids are my everything.”

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Baze, 43, won his first race at Santa Anita in October 1999 at the age of 17. He was honored with the Eclipse Award as the nation’s outstanding apprentice in 2000, the year he won a career-best 246 races. In 2004, Baze’s mounts earned more than $10.1 million, a career high.

Baze was the leading rider at the 2004 spring-summer meeting at Hollywood Park.

Baze won two Quarter Horses races at 870 yards at Los Alamitos in 2003.

Baze’s career was interrupted in the early 2010s because of issues related to alcoholism that led to a suspension. He missed nearly five months of riding in 2023 because of major stomach surgery.

At the Santa Anita winter-spring meeting that ended on Sunday, Baze finished 11th in the standings with 13 wins. He said on Sunday that he is eager to continue riding.

"I’ve got lots of years left in me,” he said. “I’m healthy and it took me a long time to get healthy. I’m making the right decisions now. It’s one foot in front of another and one day at a time.”

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