Take a look at Baeza’s past performances, jockey, trainer, morning-line odds and full analysis.
Baeza is a bit of an enigma heading into Saturday’s Breeders’ Cup Classic (G1). He does just about everything right. Under the care of trainer John Shirreffs, he’s hasn’t missed a beat for nearly a year since his first afternoon appearance – a dismal ninth-place finish as a fall 2-year-old at Del Mar nearly a year ago.
He broke his maiden impressively back in February then was tossed to the wolves for the Santa Anita Derby (G1), where he was beaten just three-quarters of a length by the highly regarded Journalism.
He easily became the wise-guy horse for the Triple Crown trail and while he didn’t pick up any victories, he more than rewarded his loyal fans with a pair of thirds in the Kentucky Derby (G1) and Belmont Stakes (G1) behind both division leader Sovereignty and Journalism.
After a second behind Sovereignty in the summer’s Jim Dandy Stakes (G2), he finally broke through to earn his first career Grade 1 in the Pennsylvania Derby (G1), defeating a tough field, though it didn’t have either nemesis from the Triple Crown trail.
Baeza is the definition of consistent, but he’s not the definition of consistent winner. As good as he is, it’s been hard for him to connect for victories against the best of his division. Now facing older horses, one has to wonder if it will be a little more difficult for him to pick up this big of a victory. He is a must-use for any and all exotics because, figures-wise, he belongs with this bunch.
Notes: Shirreffs has been represented by 29 Breeders’ Cup starters to date, led by the great Zenyatta, who won the 2008 Breeders’ Cup Distaff and 2009 Breeders’ Cup Classic, and Life is Sweet, who won the 2009 Breeders’ Cup Distaff. Berrios has ridden in the Breeders’ Cup 10 times previously with no wins. This will be his first mount in the Classic.
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