Tyler Baze Back in Winner's Circle
Jockey Tyler Baze didn’t take long to get back to the winner’s circle in his return to riding in Southern California.
Injured in a pre-race mishap last July 24 at Del Mar, Baze, 28, won with his second mount on his first day back at his home circuit, scoring an easy gate-to-wire victory aboard Joyful Success in the sixth race Thursday at Hollywood Park.
After finishing off the board with Southern Sugah earlier in the card, Baze quickly established command from the inside aboard the 4-1 shot in the $16,000 claimer. Joyful Success, a 4-year-old Successful Appeal gelding, never looked like a loser in giving Baze his first Hollywood Park victory since 13-1 shot Ex Lover won the opener last July 18.
“It feels good,’’ Baze, who also rode unplaced longshot Krasavitsa in the eighth, told TVG’s Michelle Yu. “It’s a relief to get back to the winner’s circle early.’’
The win was the third in 13 starts for Joyful Success, who was trained by Peter Miller for owner Altamira Racing Stable. Miller was also the trainer of Night Justice, the horse Baze was riding when he was injured last summer.
Joyful Success, who won by 3 ¼ lengths over 17-1 shot Aliza’s Dream, was claimed out of the race by owner-trainer Mark Glatt.
Baze had ridden two horses at Turf Paradise – both unplaced Monday (Only Grace) and Wednesday (Yougottabekiddinme) – prior to Thursday’s success.
Joel Rosario, the defending riding titlist at the Spring/Summer meet, had three winners Thursday, giving him seven to top the standings after five days of the current season.
Rosario swept the early double with favorites Tripped the Light and Caitie’s Secret, then won the seventh on 9-10 favorite Akkadian.
Rebounding from a troubled effort when fourth at 11-10 March 18, Akkadian won for the second time in four starts, outfinishing 5-2 second choice Great Warrior by a neck.
Trained by Julio Canani for Gary S. Broad, the 3-year-old son of Tiznow and the Souvenir Copy mare Papa Sids Girl ran the mile on turf in 1:35.33. The victory in the $53,200 optional claimer increased his earnings to $77,760.
Akkadian paid $3.80, $2.40 and $2.20. Great Warrior returned $3.40 and $2.40. Cloud Man, who finished 1 3/4 lengths behind Great Warrior, paid $3 to show.
The Player’s Pick 5, which debuted a week ago, returned $2,000.80 to 31 correct tickets. Four of five was worth $10.30. The pool for the 50 cent minimum wager, which consists of races 1-5 daily, was $102,888.
Racing resumes Friday night. Post time is 7:05 p.m.
After the eight race program is concluded – approximately 10:30 p.m. – a concert starring Gin Blossoms will begin at the North Park Lawn.