Baze's five winners cut gap

SAN MATEO, Calif. - Jockey Russell Baze, embroiled in a battle for the Bay Meadows riding title with Jason Lumpkins, won five races Friday night to close to within one win, 55-54.

Baze won the second race (Grovecrest, $6.20), the third (Cascadia, $5.80), the fourth (Lovely Deed, $10.60), the fifth (Osho Togo, $7.60), and the eighth (Up the Glitter, $10.60). Lumpkins was blanked.

Baze has won the title at every Bay Meadows and Golden Gate meeting at which he has participated since 1981. He rode in Southern California from 1989-91.