Baze has been out of action since he broke his right collarbone in a Nov. 30 starting-gate accident.

The leading rider in Northern California for many years, Baze's best showing on the day was a second-place showing aboard Bien Dancing, the 2-1 favorite in the nightcap for trainer Jerry Hollendorfer. He finished third aboard both Dazzling American in the second and 9-10 choice Bettor Royalty in the sixth, and did not finish with 8-5 favorite Big Feeler in the seventh. Big Feeler pulled up lame in the upper stretch and was vanned off.

Baze is fourth on the all-time list behind Laffit Pincay, Bill Shoemaker and Pat Day with nearly 8,500 wins,