Roller-coaster week for Russell Baze

Russell Baze rode 11 winners at Golden Gate Fields last week – nothing all that unusual for him – but it was definitely an up-and-down week for the meet’s leading jockey.

His week started when his mount, Lady Dawn, clipped heels and fell in Thursday’s first race. No problem. He bounced back up and won the second race with E’volet and then won another race with A K Racer. He also rode two winners Friday with back-to-back scores aboard Movie Star R.N. in the fifth and American Wildcat in the sixth.

On Saturday, he never made it to the first race when Joffe’s Run dumped him while warming up. He was taken to Alta Bates Hospital in Berkeley where X-rays on his neck were negative, but he was taken off all his mounts.

Despite his sprained neck, Baze was back in action Sunday, winning both ends of the daily double aboard Rock Solid King and Family Soul. He also won the fourth and fifth races with Can’t Topper and Siberian Cocktail.

He wound up the week with three more winners Monday. He again captured the opening double aboard Unionize and Country Gold and also won the fifth with Summer Jazz. Unionize and Summer Jazz are trained by Morey, who also saddled Run Suki Run for victory in the third race with Couton aboard.

◗ Those interested in learning about owning a racehorse can attend a free Thoroughbred Owners of California seminar Saturday at Golden Gate Fields. It will begin at 8:30 a.m. in the Bay View Room in the Turf Club. Longtime owner Bob Ansara will lead a panel discussion on the basic principles of becoming an owner. Following the discussion, participants will take a tour of the barn area to see horses close up and talk with trainers.

Reservations are recommended and can be made by calling the TOC at (800) 994-9909.

◗ Ranger Heartley, winner of the 2010 California Derby, is scheduled to run Friday. But what a difference a year makes. Ranger Heartley will be running for a $5,000 claiming tag.