Sunday final card for Talamo, Baze before they head to Oaklawn

ARCADIA, Calif. – Hours after he rides Broke Away Grey in Sunday’s eighth and final race at Santa Anita, Joe Talamo will be on an overnight flight, bound for a morning arrival in Arkansas. Monday morning, Tyler Baze is following the same route.

Chances are the two jockeys will bump into each at Oaklawn Park in Hot Springs, Ark., during morning workouts on Tuesday, eager to be seen around the stables in advance of that track’s opening day on Jan. 24. Baze and Talamo announced late last year that they plan to relocate to the Midwest, with plans to ride in Kentucky later this year.

Friday, both jockeys spoke of added opportunities in Arkansas and Kentucky in coming months at a time when California is struggling to fill its stable areas with race-ready horses. At Oaklawn Park, both jockeys will have support from leading California stables there.

Baze rode at Oaklawn Park last spring, winning eight races from 55 mounts. Talamo has not ridden at Oaklawn Park since 2016.

“It’s getting close,” Talamo said. “I don’t think it’s sunk in yet. It will Sunday.

“I’ll miss everyone out here. It’s something new, and change could be good.”

In 2019, Talamo won 76 races, including the 2,000th win of his career at Los Alamitos last month. The win total was the lowest for a single-season in his career, which began in 2006. Riding at tracks that race more frequently than in California could provide a boost for Talamo, who turns 30 on Jan. 12.

“I’m excited to get a lot more opportunities and ride a little more,” he said.

Baze, 37, spent six months of 2019 riding at Oaklawn Park and in Kentucky before returning to California in the fall. He is scheduled to ride the program of California-bred stakes at Santa Anita on Jan. 18, but otherwise will be riding primarily at Oaklawn Park in coming months.

Baze had 93 wins in 2019, including 26 at Santa Anita, 25 at Ellis Park and 17 at Churchill Downs. He tied for second in the jockey standings at Ellis Park last summer, one win behind leader James Graham. Last year, Baze rode extensively at Oaklawn Park from mid-March to mid-April. He rode at Santa Anita earlier last year.

“I’ve got good barns to ride for,” he said. “I’ve talked to a few trainers back there already. With the uncertainty in racing in California and the lack of horses and horses leaving, there will be more opportunities there and more racing days.”