In the days leading up to the 157th running of the $2 million Belmont Stakes (G1) at Saratoga Race Course, the team at usracing.com is publishing profiles of the 3-year-olds in the field. Profiles will be updated with post positions and track odds following the June 2 draw.
Rarely does a 1-for-5 colt get as much attention as Baeza, who came out of nowhere in April to become the wise-guy horse of the Kentucky Derby (G1). Two days after escaping the also-eligible list, he justified the buzz to finish a fast-closing third. He was never going to catch Sovereignty, but he was gaining ground late on runner-up Journalism, who went on to take the Preakness Stakes (G1).
Like the 1-2 Derby finishers, Baeza had an eventful trip – wide early, 15th after a half mile, steadied and bumped at the five-sixteenths pole, eight wide in midstretch. His late surge after those traffic problems validated him, even though he’s still eligible for a non-winners-of-one allowance race.
After taking three starts to break his maiden, Baeza was a 14-1 afterthought in the Santa Anita Derby before he finished second, three-quarters of a length in back of Journalism. Baeza, at odds of 13-1, was only a neck behind him at Churchill Downs, so there’s not much between them.
Baeza’s bloodlines couldn’t be more impressive. He’s a half-brother to 2023 Kentucky Derby hero Mage and to last year’s Belmont Stakes champion, Dornoch, all sons of Puca, a daughter of 2008 Derby-Preakness winner Big Brown. Baeza’s bettors won’t ever get double-digit odds on him again.
Work of the Day from @santaanitapark—Baeza (Outside), 1:12.40, and Westwood, 1:13.40, worked 6 Furlongs on May 23rd, 2025, for trainer John Shirreffs. pic.twitter.com/SVSJOqD84R
— 1/ST TV (@Watch1ST) May 23, 2025
Trainer John Shirreffs wisely skipped the Preakness and pointed for the Belmont with a gifted, improving colt.
“Baeza is what you dream about when you think of a thoroughbred. He’s very light on his feet and has an impeccable pedigree,” Shirreffs said May 24. “He is very classy.”
Baeza doesn’t have to improve much to win the 1¼-mile Belmont, where he’s a serious contender.
The writing team at US Racing is comprised of both full-time and part-time contributors with expertise in various aspects of the Sport of Kings.
