Russell Baze to Ride Toccet in BC Turf

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Owner Dan Borislow said Wednesday that Russell Baze, the perennial leading rider in Northern California, will ride Toccet in the John Deere Breeders' Cup Turf (gr. IT).

Baze led the nation in number of wins from 1992 to 1996, and again in 2000 and 2002. His only previous Breeders' Cup mount was a 12th-place finish aboard Lite Light in the 1990 Juvenile Fillies (gr. I).

"I have admired him for years, and I want a strong, fearless rider who tries hard," Borislow said. "I have always thought I would like use him in a big race if I could. I figured I would be the underdog and what better rider to have on him, but the ultimate underdog who rides the best."

Borislow pre-entered Toccet in both the Turf and Classic (gr. I), but said the colt will run in the Turf. "There is really only one top (Turf) horse based out West, and the others, I believe, will be exposed to the East-to-West jinx, especially now that the temperature is supposed to be around 90 degrees. I don't believe I would have gone for the Breeders' Cup, but for the fact that Toccet will be there 6 weeks already and the others will be shipping in a few days before the race."

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