Baze Blanked in Golden Gate Riding Return

Jockey Russell Baze, who ranked second in the country last year with 410 wins, failed in four tries for his first victory of 2004 Wednesday at Golden Gate Fields.

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,

(Chart, Equibase)