Russell Baze Jockey

Queens, NY:
How is your family handling this process of you making racing history any day now?

Baze:
So far, so good. They're all really excited and rooting for me to do it soon.

Santa Monica, CA:
Russell, congratulations on reaching the homestretch on catching Laffit. It is nice to see a good person rewarded for honest hard work. Samantha Siegel

Baze:
Thanks, Samantha. If this is the Samantha Siegel that owns racehorses, it was my pleasure to be able to ride and win for you and your father.

San Juan, Puerto Rico:
Laffit Pincay Jr. retires from racing because of a spill. If he didn't experience that, he may be still riding. How long you expect to be riding after you pass Pincay?

Baze:
Barring an unfortunate accident of my own, I plan on riding for several years.

Tustin, CA:
Congratulations on your amazing record of wins! Please share with us something of the personality of the late Lost in the Fog. Do you have a favorite horse you have ridden?

Baze:
Fog was a champion, but he wasn't a pet and could get quite aggressive with those who worked with him. He's the best horse I've ridden. Down through the years I've ridden many good horses. The ones that find a place in my heart are the hard trying veterans who overcome problems and still keep on trying.

Newmarket, England:
In all your career, what are the main points that you can say were crucial or significant and would you have done anything different?

Baze:
The two main decisions of my career are probably: 1). Deciding to hire Ray Harris as my agent and remain in California year round; and 2). Moving to Southern Cal for three years to try my luck at getting some good horses to ride in the Classic races.

San Jacinto, CA:
Baze Meadows is the track where you have executed a lot of million dollar moves. Any time I need any extra cash, I just look for these wonderful opportunities and write my own check. Thanks a million. You are the master.

Baze:
I love riding at Bay Meadows and Golden Gate, but BM is a lot closer to my home so the commute is much less. Glad you were able to cash in on some of my winners.

Richmond, VA:
Do you have any big plans for the day you break the record?

Baze:
Not really. I'll probably have to ride the next day, so I won't be able to go too crazy.

West Bend, WI:
Russell, first of all I'd like to say you are a great jockey. You've ridden many winners obviously. Who is the best horse you have ever ridden?

Baze:
I've been on a lot of really great horses. Lost in the Fog was the one who did the most outstanding things for me.

Salem, OR:
How has the Lord influenced your life as a jockey?

Baze:
No doubt that I have been blessed throughout my career. Simply being preserved each day to return the next day and race is a great blessing in itself.

Calgary, AB:
I see you were born in Vancouver. What is your connection with Canada or recollections of your time here?

Baze:
My father was riding for Jack Diamond, who was the owner of the track at Vancouver when I was born. We didn't spend too much time in Canada, but I remember that the schools there were a lot tougher than the ones in America.

St. Marys, GA:
What criteria do you use to determine the mounts you choose to ride? In your opinion, what is the difference between riding a Barbaro quality horse and a $5,000 claimer?

Baze:
My agent chooses mounts for me based on which horse stands the best chance to win in a given race based upon the conditions for that race. Good horses are easier to ride, generally, than cheap horses.

Brooklyn, NY:
What is your opinion of the Jockeys' Guild and their new management?

Baze:
The Jockeys' Guild is striving to make being a jockey less hazardous and more lucrative. I think the jury is still out on the new management; they seem to have ambitious, yet attainable goals.

Atlanta, GA:
This is such an outstanding accomplishment -- to break the all-time win record as a jockey -- and well deserved. A hearty congratulations. Have you gotten any reaction from the two jockeys whose records you have broken and are about to break? First Pat Day, and then Laffit Pincay?

Baze:
Pat never actually held the record. Before Laffit, the record was held by Bill Shoemaker. Laffit has been a true gentleman and very supportive of me. I'm sure Shoe would be rooting for me, too.

Kent, WA:
I did the opposite of you; grew up in the Bay Area and settled in Washington state as an adult, We are almost contemporaries, and I've followed your career from the beginning. Much deserved congratulations on your success. My question is this: can you tell us who all the riding Bazes are/were and lay out how you all are related? Thanks in advance!

Baze:
First came my grandmother, Mable Baze, Then her oldest son Earl, my uncle. Then my dad, Joe. Then my cousin Gary. Cousin Earl. My brother Jeff. Myself. Cousin Mike. Little brother Dale. Second cousin Tyler. (Cousin Earl's son). Second cousin M.C. (cousin Mikes' son).

Tuscaloosa, AL:
First off, Mr. Baze, I would like to congratulate you in advance for becoming the all-time career win leader. My question is: what was the closest you have ever been to disaster that suddenly turned to triumph?

Baze:
Had a horse my Uncle Rex was handling is the gate leap at the start, nearly knocking my head into the overhead bars. Got a mile behind the field but was able to get up in time.

Diamond Bar, CA:
Mr. Baze. Have you and your cousin, Tyler, ever raced against one another?

Baze:
Tyler and I have raced many times; as have M.C. and I. We take turns beating each other and like nothing better than defeating one another.

Hot Springs, AR:
What was your first thought when they told you about Lost in the Fog's condition and how did you feel when he passed away?

Baze:
My first thought was that this explained why he had performed as poorly as he had in his last start. Of course I was very sad when he passed away, but by the time that day arrived I had had a chance to get my mind around the idea that he wouldn't be around anymore.

Seattle, WA:
Hi Russell, it's George Cottrell from the DRF and I just want to let you know how much your triumph means to me. Always fun to have grown up in "Baze country" up here and I, along with many others in this area, have been awaiting this week for a long while. My first $2 bet on a horse was in the race where you got career win #14 and each morning I awake beside a poster-sized (uncut) program from Longacres in late 1975 - cousin Gary led the standings and you were top apprentice, in 2nd, with hundreds fewer mounts. (that has been on the wall for three decades!) I've been very eager for you to attain this plateau, and I should have knocked on wood so many times during years of anticipating it, but I never did, and here you are. Congratulations! ... and if I may suggest: Take a well-deserved vacation, will you?

Baze:
Great to hear from a long time fan! Glad to hear that you didn't wear your knuckles out knocking on wood. Probably won't take a vacation just yet, nose to the grindstone and all that.

Omaha, NE:
Was Lost in the Fog that greatest horse you ever rode?

Baze:
Lost in the Fog was the horse that did the greatest things for me personally. Other horses that I have ridden may have accomplished more for other riders.

Marco Island, FL:
What is generally the most difficult thing to do when navigating a horse race? Is it the break, pace, judging the motives of other riders, timing, position, and knowing the form of the horse you are riding and of every other horse in the race? Or if it is all of the above, which do you find most challenging? Congrats and the best of luck!

Baze:
All of the above are important; however, judging the moves of the other riders and their responses to the situations that occur during a race is the most challenging aspect for me.

Hot Springs, AR:
What are your thoughts on the young rider, Martin Garcia. He seems to be really talented. Just how good do you think he is?

Baze:
Martin is a very talented rider and could achieve great things if he remains as focused and dedicated as he is now. In terms of raw talent, he is as good as anyone.

Lexington, KY:
Considering your family and their involvement in racing, it was a natural for you to pursue a riding career. Had you not become a jockey, however, what would you have likely pursued as a profession? Also, did you feel family peer pressure to work in horse racing?

Baze:
I was not pressured to enter the world of horse racing, but when I showed an interest and an aptitude for riding, my father did everything he could to help me be the best that I could be.

Waukegan, IL:
Thanks for taking the time during this busy time of your life. My question deals with the starting gate. Do you feel you can help a horse break sharp from the gate, especially if the horse has a history of not breaking well? In general can a jock have a strong influence on how well the horse breaks?

Baze:
Yes, the jockey definitely has influence on how the horse breaks. It takes a lot of concentration and focus to make sure your horse is standing with his feet underneath him in the starting gate and is alert but not anxious. If a horse doesn’t want to break, I am not going to be able to make him. But I can help a horse leave the gate as well as he’s willing to leave.

Omaha, NE:
Russell, thanks for chatting with us! You are a fantastic jockey. Who influenced your career when you first started riding, and what young stars do you currently see that have great potential?

Baze:
Of course, my father was a major influence on my career when I first started out. Martin Garcia is an excellent young rider, Julien Leparoux in the Midwest has shown a lot of potential, as well as Eddie Castro. Fernando Jara looks like he’s an up and comer.

Toronto, ON:
Has there ever been any thought of finishing up your career here in Canada at Woodbine or Hastings? Best of luck from all your Canadian fans

Baze:
No, my travels have taken me occasionally to Canada, but I plan on finishing my career here in northern California where the people have supported me so wonderfully.

Portland, OR:
Hi Russ, As a former Blood-Horse correspondent for 15 years, I was privileged to watch you and write about many of your accomplishments, as well as that incredible family that you represent so well. When I did the Hall of Fame article for the Blood-Horse, you told me that you were thinking of retiring at age 50. Seems like you will be in just the right position to reach that goal. Is that still your plan? Congratulations on your upcoming record-setting wins. I know how deserving you are. Best regards, Bruce Greene

Baze:
It is always a possibility I will retire at 50, but I have revised my thinking so I am going to ride as long as I am capable of doing the level of job the horses deserve and as long as I’m still healthy and able to do it.

Modesto, CA:
What is your opinion of fair racing in comparison to racing at Golden Gate Fields and Bay Meadows?

Baze:
The fair racing serves a purpose for the horses of lesser quality to have their time in the limelight. It’s also a good place for younger horses to develop towards greater things in the future. Definitely it’s a lot different mindset when you’re riding on the fair circuit. You have to ride at different tracks, with different configurations and surfaces, every two weeks, but it is very good at keeping your mind flexible by having to adjust to different track variables.

New York, NY:
Obviously, to win as many races as you have you have to be physically fit and essentially injury free. How many times have been injured and what was the most serious? Other than exercising in the mornings and riding in the afternoon, do you have any other workout regimens? Thanks

Baze:
I have been injured numerous times, but the most serious was when I broke the vertebrae in my back. I missed six weeks. On Tuesdays (dark day, no racing), I have a regimen that includes pullups, pushups, crunches, and running the stairs, and upper body work with a sports band. Normally it takes me about 45 minutes to go through the whole workout.

Midway, KY:
While it is a certainty that you would have set the record regardless of where you rode, do you think it would have taken longer if you competed regularly on the southern California circuit?

Baze:
It definitely would have taken longer if I had remained in southern California. The competition for mounts in southern California is extremely fierce, especially when I was down there.

Camden, SC:
Outstanding career Russell. As a primary East Coast owner I still greatly admire your class and contributions to our great sport.....Cot Campbell

Baze:
Thank you it has been my greatest pleasure for the last 32 years to participate in horse racing and with luck I will have several more years to enjoy.

Bigfork, MT:
Congratulations, Russell. What an accomplishment. What do you consider your strongest assets as a rider?

Baze:
My ability to read a race, how it is setting up and how to position my horses to take advantage of developments throughout the race and strong desire to succeed or win.