Jockey, Michael Baze, found dead in his car, at a mere age of 24 years, in Louisville
A peculiarly agonizing scene was witnessed on May 10, 2011, in the afternoon. Jockey, Michael Baze, a member of a renowned riding family of United States, was found dead in his car.
The 24-year-old was pronounced dead at 4:47 p.m. EDT by the Louisville Metro Coroner’s office. An autopsy of the jockey’s body is scheduled to take place on May 11th.
His body showed no signs of foul play or malfeasance. Louisville Police Station’s spokeswoman, Alicia Smiley, said that the case is being treated as a death investigation case. She said that track officials were not at liberty to comment on the jockey’s
death.
Bobby Kelly, the newly appointed agent of the deceased jockey said that he exchanged text messages with the jockey on Monday, May 9th, 9 p.m. EDT.
The next morning when he tried to contact Baze he received no response from him. Kelly was informed of the whereabouts of the jockey by backstretch workers. They reported that he had been in his vehicle in the same spot all morning so they called 911 and
emergency workers found Baze dead.
Michael Baze was considered as a leading rider at Arlington Park. He was born on April 14, 1987 in Renton, Washington, and has been riding since the age of 16. The jockey won 918 races from nearly 7000 mounts. His lifetime earnings are more than $32.4 million.
His wins include 53 stakes and 20 grades stakes. He also won riding titles at Hollywood Park and Del Mar in 2007.
Michael Baze rode Nehro, the second place finisher in this year’s Kentucky Derby, his only win. He grew up in a family with extensive rooting in the sport of Thoroughbred racing.
Apart from his father, Mike Baze, a retired jockey, Baze is also a cousin of the Hall of Fame jockey, Russell Baze.
Russell Baze was considered as an all time leading rider in Thoroughbred racing, having a record for most wins in North America.
Michael was also cousin to jockey, Tyler Baze and has an uncle in the horse racing business as well.
Churchill Downs’ spokesman, John Asher, while commenting on the connections of the family with horseracing said, “Somebody coming out of that family, it always gets your attention when you see the Baze name”.
Asher also confirmed that Michael Baze was scheduled to have a mount in a race to be held on Thursday, May 12th.
He had not ridden in Churchill’s spring meet. His last mount was on April 29, 2011 at Keeneland, when he finished fifth while he held the reins of Jazil’s Song.
His last stakes win came while he was aboard ‘It Happened Again’ in the Grade 3 Razorback Handicap on March 12, 2011, at Oaklawn Park
He also expressed his verbal salute to the jockey, saying, “This winter, he rode at Oaklawn, had 34 wins, had a very good meet, including a couple of stakes wins. He had so much potential down the road; it doesn't make sense to any of us right now”.
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