Tyler Baze fails breathalyzer at Hoosier

ARCADIA, Calif. - Jockey Tyler Baze failed a breathalyzer test on Saturday night at Hoosier Park and has been suspended for seven days, according to Gary Wilfert, a steward at Hoosier Park.

Baze, 22, was at Hoosier Park to ride Southern Africa in the Indiana Derby. He was taken off that mount. Stewards at Santa Anita on Sunday said Baze would be removed from his mounts at Santa Anita, including Leprechaun Kid in the Grade 1 Clement Hirsch Turf Championship.

"With reciprocity, we honor that," said George Slender, a steward at Santa Anita. "Tyler will be off today."

According to Wilfert, Baze was tested per Indiana Racing Commission rules, which require all jockeys, and licensed racing officials, to be given breathalyzer tests every racing day.

"He blew over the limit," Wilfert said. "Our limit is .05, and he was over the number. You can't be above that. Everybody gets breathalyzed here -- every jock, every racing official, every racing day. Our rules call for a seven-day suspension. He and his agent," Wilfert said, referring to agent Ivan Puhich, "have been officially notified, and he has been suspended."

Wilfert said a hearing would be scheduled with Baze, but no date had yet been set. He said Baze arrived around the fourth race Saturday night at Hoosier Park, "about four or five races prior to the Indiana Derby."

Baze had a subpar meeting at Del Mar, but a highlight was a victory aboard Leprechaun Kid in the Del Mar Handicap. He and his agent acknowledged in August that Baze was suffering from an eating disorder. He has been under the care of a nutritionist for several weeks.