Baeza: Shirreffs Unveils Derby Hopeful Baeza; $1.2 Million Colt Impressively Breaks Maiden, Eyes Santa Anita Derby

It’s that time of the year when trainer John Shirreffs gets a horse ready for the Derby trail and this year it is Baeza, a colt out of McKinzie and a Big Brown mare. Sold at auction for $1.2 million, he was off as the 2/1 second choice in this mile maiden special weight on the main track. He broke OK from the five hole in this field of six and was just one length off the leader into the clubhouse turn. When the even money favorite pulled up into the clubhouse turn, Baeza went after the leader and had the lead by the half mile pole. He put the other speed away at the top of the lane and cruised on home to win by five over another Baffert runner. The time was slow but the track was very dull throughout the entire card. Baeza, named for the jockey who rode throughout the country in the fifties and the sixties (he rode at Santa Anita for the winter meets) was making his third start of his career and won this race in very professional fashion. He has a good combination of early speed to go along with his stamina and looks to be one of many threats for the Santa Anita Derby in April.

Next Upcoming Race:  

 

Baeza’s Race Information
Race Date:  February 14, 2025	Track:  Santa Anita		Race #:  6
Distance:  8 Furlongs	Conditions: maiden special weight		Surface: Dirt
Trainer:  John Shirreffs	Jockey:  Hector Berrios		Track Condition:  FAST
Trouble Notes:  4-2wide, pressed outside, led, cleared, drifted midstr, drew off			Track Variant:  0
Finish Position: 1st	Win Payout:  $ 6.40	Place: Payout:  $ 3.60	Show Payout:  $ 2.60

Race Replay

Baeza – Santa Anita –  February 14, 2025

Baeza Performance Figures Earned
Race Condition Pars	Baeza Figures Earned
Race Class Level:  135	Running Style In Race:  Front Runner
Final Time Rating Par: 150	Final Time Rating: 131
CPR Race Par:  134	CPR Earned In Race: 134
Fast Fig Race Par:  0	Fast Fig In Race:
Key Race Winners: 0	Running Style In Race:   Front Runner
(click the links above to learn more avbout each figure and how to use them in your handicapping)

Generally horses that are on the Horses To Watch list ran into unexpected trouble, bad luck, and/or didn’t run the race we believe Baeza was cabable of.  We expected that if Baeza gets a good trip in their next start than we should see an improvement in Baeza performance figures.  Use the performance figures earned in Baeza last race (listed above) and compare them to the field and pars of Baeza next start.  If Baeza appears to have earned higher performance figures in the last race when running into trouble  as compared to the rest of the field’s expected perfomance in the upcoming race than there is a good chance that Baeza will dominate the race.

Helpful Tip:  So that it’s easy for you to compare a horse’s past performance, Today’s Racing Digest’s Performance Figures for upcoming races are based on how we expect the horse to perform in that race regardless of any changes in race conditions.  Learn More: