Pincay's mark in Baze's sights

SAN MATEO, Calif. - Last month Russell Baze suggested he might break Laffit Pincay Jr.'s all-time record of 9,530 wins by a jockey by Thanksgiving. Baze went into Wednesday's card with 9,519 wins, trailing Pincay by 11, so unless he won with all six of his mounts on Wednesday and then wins with all six of his mounts on Thursday, he won't quite make it.

But he has several live mounts Thursday, so he can markedly close the gap.

Baze has put together wins in bunches before. This year, he rode nine straight winners - his final two mounts Aug. 17 and then seven in a row on Aug. 18. The wins came for nine different trainers. Earlier in his career, he rode eight straight winners over a two-day period. Last week, after riding a winner in each of the first four racing days, he rode three on Sunday.

Baze went into Wednesday leading the jockey standings with 31 wins in 129 mounts, 10 more victories than Luis Martinez.

On Thursday, he starts the day with a strong chance to win the first race, a six-furlong sprint, aboard Power By Jules, who is trained by Jerry Hollendorfer. Hollendorfer teamed with Baze for all seven of his victories last week. Power By Jules won the last two times he was ridden by Baze, and he has been third in his past two starts. He drops a notch from the $8,000 claiming level to $6,250.

Baze is aboard a Hollendorfer first-timer, Light Amour, in a $32,000 maiden claimer for 2-year-old fillies at six furlongs in the third race.

Sparky's at Five is Baze's mount in the fifth race, a $6,250 claiming sprint at six furlongs. She has been second in both starts since dropping to this level for trainer Duane Offield.

Baze is live again in the sixth aboard the 3-year-old filly Steppin Out Rose, who will take on elders in a $32,000 optional claimer at six furlongs. The Adam Kitchingman trainee makes her first start since March 31.

Baze rides Dell Place, second under him as the 4-5 choice for a $6,250 tag last time, in a $12,500 claimer at a mile on turf in the seventh. Bob Hess trains Dell Place.

Baze and Hollendorfer team again in the eighth with M L's Indian, a troubled third under Baze in his debut, a $32,000 maiden claimer for 2-year-olds at 5 1/2 furlongs.